What did you wish you knew

ajhanson1 · June 2017

What do you know now, that you wish you knew when you started?

Workout Tips?
Food Tips?
General life advice?

duddysdad · June 2017

The number one thing that helped me that I never thought of when I started was to weigh all of my food. Don't rely on cups/spoons, those are only for liquids.

jelleigh · June 2017

Track to your weekly nutritional goal instead of your daily. That way a high cal day doesn't make you feel like you've "ruined" something .

kommodevaran · June 2017

That the laws of physics, logic, rationality and common sense also apply to the areas of nutrition and weight management.

That "follow the money" applies to the diet and food industry too.

That the secret to weight maintenance is no secret. It just IS all the annoying things that normal weight people do.

That if you decide to tackle your weight as a battle, you will lose it.

That "time" is a crucial factor in many things.

That things aren't always what they seem.

That I can get used to lots of different things. Maybe I'll hate it in the beginning, but I'll get used to it.

We need to do difficult things.

And lots more that I don't remember

Stationagentjules · June 2017

I've learned not to discuss diet or food preferences with anyone accept the waiter. The only comment I make socially about food now is how delicious this or that looks. Then I quietly mind my own caloric business.

I've also learned that my daily cardio, while beneficial to my health and even enjoyable, hasn't had as much impact on my overall weight loss as I thought it would. Eating in a caloric deficit and accurate tracking has made all the difference.

I've learned how to choose the absolute best produce. I'm even acquiring preferences of growers and regions for different fruits etc.

I've learned that a splash or protein shake makes for a pretty decent coffee creamer.

I've learned that when someone asks what I'm doing to lose weight, they don't really want to know. It's basically just a greeting like "How are you?"

Sheisinlove109 · June 2017

Weights...don't wait to start weights.

You can eat anything, just fit it in your goals. No meds, no pills, no fasting, no cleansing, no low carb necessary.

Drink a lot.

Sleep is huge.

Take a daily selfie. Take cardio machine pic. Track your progress.

Seffell · June 2017

That I should not discuss calorie counting with friends.

kimothy38 · June 2017

Start strength training and weight loss at the same.
Don't rush weight loss - slow it down so you can gain muscle with a lower calorie deficit & you don't feel hungry
Hard work does pay off eventually.
Feeling slim is good but feeling strong is better.
A good personal trainer is worth every cent you pay.

Geocitiesuser · June 2017

Workout Tips?

If you don't squat or deadlift or run, it's not the end of the world. If you focus on the exercises you enjoy it's no longer a chore but something you look forward to.

Food Tips?

After so many failed attempts, low carb isn't for me. I always used to hit a floor I couldn't get past. Eating moderate carbs I'm much healthier, happier, and leaner with much more energy.

General life advice?

Getting in shape doesn't really fix anything. Do it for you, because you're the only person who's going to care.

missh1967 · June 2017

Wish I had known more about TDEE, BMR, etc.

The importance of a food scale.

That weekly calorie totals can ease the mental anguish of having a high calorie day.

That it doesn't have to be "all or nothing." Ice cream or chips CAN be eaten in moderation while continuing to lose weight.

JeromeBarry1 · June 2017

I wish I knew when I started that the effort to lift heavy was much more than an option for younger men.

everher · June 2017

What works for everyone else isn't necessarily going to work for you and that's okay.

Losing weight doesn't have to be a miserable experience.

It's going to take however long it takes. You can either be upset about that or get on with it.

Lou_trition · June 2017

As someone who has lost over 100lbs I really wish I had of known that weights are a girls best friend and that carbs are important- I spent too many years been tired and ratty in the vain of being 'thin'- Im now much happier and stronger because I am correctly fuelled!

KaleChipz · June 2017

The importance of a food scale to accurately track calories.

Maintain exercise and eating habits that you know you can handle long term so it doesn't become a chore. Do what you enjoy, eat in moderation.

Incorporate weights sooner than later.

inertiastrength · June 2017

I wish I knew that I didn't know everything when I wasted 2 months needlessly cutting carbs and ignoring the advice on this forum because "it was working"
I'm glad I at least reluctantly experimented with carbs and learned about glycogen and learned that ... everyone was right. My muscle fullness and sustained weight loss 4 years later thanks all the heroes of MFP that don't wear capes lol

clicketykeys · June 2017

Honestly? Nothing. I'm actually GLAD that I didn't realize how often I would get frustrated. I might not have started. But once I started, and I saw a little bit of results, that helped me respond to "stalls" by looking at my data and either making changes or being patient (sometimes both) and that led to continued results.