Is it a lifestyle change?

Thriceshy
Thriceshy Posts: 708 Member
edited September 29 in Motivation and Support
Or is it a "until I reach this goal" thing?

For me, it's forever. It has to be. See, I've done the "just until I lose the weight" gig, and had my weight see-saw by over 150 lbs in one stretch (my weight, overall, has varied from 102 to 377 over my adult years). So this is always for me--not until I lose 80, not until January, not only five days a week. It's learning to embrace and love new ways of eating and moving rather than considering the old way "normal" and wishing I could return to it.

I mowed the lawn today. No breaks, no sitting in the shade and panting every five mintues. 30 minutes of sustained lawn mowing with no stopping. I couldn't have done that even three months ago. Then I went to the store and, rather than grabbing a motorized cart, I walked for another 15 or so minutes. Again, three months ago? The agony from my back (I have multiple herniated and ruptured disks from a long-ago car accident) would have been crippling. Literally.

I can move! I can go places! I can do things I couldn't do before! PLUS, my A1c is normal now, and my blood sugar is a dream. No WAY I'm trading that for Oreos, macaroni and cheese, and Boston Cream Pie. No WAY.

Just curious--do you think it's possible to return to the "old" ways after weight loss? Has it worked for you or anyone you know? Or is the "it's just until I lose weight" mindset a recipe for failure in general like it was for me?

Kris

Replies

  • Kelly_Wilson1990
    Kelly_Wilson1990 Posts: 3,245 Member
    It is a lifestyle change for me.
  • nurse_carolyn
    nurse_carolyn Posts: 348
    I agree......it will be a forever thing or the weight will just creep up again. I don't care though, I feel so healthy.
  • lcoreo5
    lcoreo5 Posts: 216 Member
    i planning on continuing on this path of a healthier lifestyle. i feel so much better now, i cant even imagine going back to my old eating and non-exercising habits!
  • ladybg81
    ladybg81 Posts: 1,553 Member
    Nope, lifestyle change. I believe it is the only way you can lose it and keep it off. period.
  • Section117_Zolos
    Section117_Zolos Posts: 71
    I believe it has to be a life style change. Does that mean I won't ever have pizza or soda or chips? No, but not in the quantities that I ate them before. Moderation and balance!
  • JL3mom
    JL3mom Posts: 48
    This is why it is hard for me to lose the weight. I think I am scared that once I meet my goal I will get comfortable and slip back to the ways that got to where I am today. I have done it before.
  • sabrinafaith
    sabrinafaith Posts: 607 Member
    "until i loose the weight" is definitely a mindset for failure. this is a lifestyle change. thin people stay thin because they know how to balance their eating and understand that just because you indulge one day doesn't mean you've fallen off the wagon for good. one of the most important things about life is balance.
  • Marcieb21
    Marcieb21 Posts: 127 Member
    This is definitely a life style change for me. If it is not than I will gain the weight back. What I have found though is that I enjoy this new life I am beginning, and this new me! I enjoy running, I don't depend on food to make me happy! Even six months ago I would never have thought I could make it this far.
  • sgv0918
    sgv0918 Posts: 851 Member
    I think it has to be a lifestyle change. Even when i creep toward the old way i can see it could become addicting. No way i'm going back
  • koluvsmusic
    koluvsmusic Posts: 81
    Congrats to you. Your story is a true motivation to my ears. I think once you have it in your mind, body, & heart to be a better you, & live healthier, it becomes a life change & it keeps getting better. :happy:
  • srp2011
    srp2011 Posts: 1,829 Member
    Or is the "it's just until I lose weight" mindset a recipe for failure in general like it was for me?

    Kris

    That mindset is pretty much a recipe for failure for anyone - if you go back to doing the same thing as you did before, you'll get the same results as you did before - weight gain. To think differently is delusional. It has to be a lifestyle change to last. Same input, same results. Change input to change results.

    On a less philosophical note, for me it's a lifestyle change - when I was in my 20's I could eat what I wanted without gaining an ounce or seriously exefcising. Throughout my 30's I followed that same path, but the weight started coming on, and since I've hit my 40's, I've come to realize that I can't do the same things I could when I was in my 20's, I have to change. I can't stay up all night partying anymore, so why should I be able to eat what I want and not gain weight? LOL Exercise has become a critical part of the equation, too - not just for weight loss, but for the other health benefits, like maintaining bone density and cardio health.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Lifestyle change for me. I am just sick of seeing soo many overweight and obese adults, kids, and whoever that I am hoping by me getting in shape that I can lead by example. I am already working on changing the people at my works lifestyles without being overbearing with minor success but over time it will work!
  • suzieqj
    suzieqj Posts: 25 Member
    It has to be a lifestyle change. I lost 136 pounds in 2003-2004 and I had gained 77 pounds of it back. I am losing again and this time I know I will have to always eat healthier after I lose the weight or I will gain it back again. Its hard work but I know it can be done. I kept it off for 3 years and I went back to my old eating habits and it just piled back on. So you definitely will have to change for life if you want to keep the weight off and be healthy
  • catwrangler
    catwrangler Posts: 918 Member
    I sure hope so........
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    For me it's a lifestyle change, I will probably be a work in progress for a long time since I plan on making new goals to keep things fresh (lose the last lbs, increase muscle, more endurance when running, lower body fat etc)

    I can NEVER go back to be fat again.
  • plumpncurvy
    plumpncurvy Posts: 68 Member
    This is a lifestyle change for me, I enjoy my life now more than I ever have and can never imagine going back to the old habits, because I know that would bring back the old me.
  • AccioPancakes
    AccioPancakes Posts: 93
    First off, congrats on the victories! That's incredible!

    Second, it's a lifestyle change for me. I know that if I think of it any other way, it's not going to happen. That's not to say I'm "perfect" every single day, but I don't let one bad day get me down. I accept it and move on, and work harder during the week.

    I used to think I used food to make me happy but have since realized that I never really was happy. But I'm starting to be, and learning to love myself, too.
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