Is there anyone who didn't take the easy way out?
TheMoon26
Posts: 1 Member
Hey i see so many posts about people having surgery to lose weight. Where are all the people who actually struggled and lost weight on their own? I need tips and inspiration.
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Replies
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I don't think weight loss surgery is necessarily an easy way out, it just isn't feasible or the right choice for people. On MFP I personally haven't met anyone who has had any kind of wls, and it isn't something that I've considered for myself at any point but not because I don't think it has merit, it just isn't the right fit for me.
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If you see what some people actually go through after surgery, it's NOT an easy way out. Can't eat foods you like, tremendous weight loss leaves a lot of loose skin, possibly exchanging food issues with another like alcohol or gambling.
There are LOTS of people on here who lost weight without surgery. Go to the SUCCESS threads.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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I really think you need to educate yourself better on weight loss surgery. In my opinion it is the hard way to lose weight. I'm skipping recovering from a surgery and any complications it could cause by just relying on diet and exercise. You still have to eat less either way. I've looked into surgery and decided it wasn't for me, but those who have had it surely made that choice for a reason.18
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There are many people who have been successful without weight loss surgery. Check out the success forum here. That being said, WLS is not an easy way out. They still have to work, and they need to make other habitual changes, plus can face a lifetime of potential complications. Most people I know who have done it, made the choice through fear. The most successful people are those who took the time to learn new habits and utilized the surgery to its fullest advantages. Which equals hard work.10
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I've lost a hundred pounds and have kept it off 10 years.
I don't think surgery is the easy way. My own unscientific observation is it sucks. It's hard to adjust post op. The few people I've know who have done it regained most of the weight.
Tips. Calculate a modest, livable calorie deficit and start logging your eating. When you mess up, be sure to log that too. Never quit. If your plan isn't working adjust until it does. Just keep experimenting until you get a downward trend. Then ride that trend. If you quit losing, adjust some more. Keep an attitude of experimentation. This is a test of your problem solving skills.
WL is about determination. Not motivation, motivation is fleeting. Not intelligence or willpower or discipline. Determination. I always tried to plan away from relying on willpower. Sometimes the only thing to do is just say no, but I tried to keep that to a minimum. I thought discipline just came down to trusting in my plan and concentrating. Work on developing good habits. They help.
Last. Think about how you will deal with discouragement. Read this board and everyday you will find people done in by their own negative thoughts. Most of this has to do with how long it takes to lose. Figure 1 or 2 weeks per pound. As long as the scale trends down over weeks and months, it's working.
Oh, spend time on your plan, then tune everything else out. News about fitness and diet, advice from family and friends. WL is a solitary pursuit. And figure out how you are going to monitor your progress. Don't go jumping on the scale a lot.14 -
Weight Loss Surgery is a tool, but must be used correctly to be successful. It has saved lives but those lives are altered. There will always be a need to watch food consumption, hydration, exercise and nutrients. I believe alcohol is limited. Gee, that sounds familiar. LOL!!
BTW, I have released 105 pounds using both Weight Watchers and MFP. I started in 2001 and it took 95 weeks to release the weight. I say released because I do not want to find any 'lost' weight again. I have kept a majority of it off except for a brief time in 2004 after I had surgery to repair a bleeding ulcer. I gained 30 pounds back which took six months to release. What's the difference between being 30 pounds overweight or 105 pounds. Absolutely nothing. Psychologically, I felt rotten at both weights. It was devastating to me! I worked my way back to goal and started to work on my 'stinking thinking' and, as I call it, 'impure thoughts.'9 -
I "took the easy way out " ... I ate fewer calories than I burned to lose the 25 kg I needed to lose. That's the easiest way to lose weight.9
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I'm not sure surgery is the "easy way out". Even in the Western World surgery is not without risk and danger, then of course there's recovery.
I haven't had surgery to lose weight. I just use this app to calorie count, and I upped my exercise regime. I drink more water and see this as a long haul for permenant lifestyle change not a diet. I would like to lose a few more lbs. In the last 10 months I've lost 30lbs. The weight is coming off really slowly now. It's seldom I lose more than 3lb in a month it's nearer 2lb per month. But I don't want to eat any less than I am now and I can still have the odd treat at my current deficit. The weight is still coming off and the slower it comes off the more chance I have at keeping it off.
But to be completely honest dress size means more to me now. I'm currently size 12 - 14 UK size, but would like to be size 10 - 12 UK size. I'm still building muscle which is obviously heavier than fat so I'm sure I've lost more than 30lb of fat but have toned up nicely. That's why size means more to me than weight. I don't mind how I get there whether it be by losing fat or toning muscle, as long as I get there.1 -
I would say the majority of people on this site have not had weight loss surgery. Look around the site some more.
Weight loss surgery or just diet adjustment and activity adjustment are all work. Losing and keeping the weight off is not easy.
I would not choose surgery because to me it sounds the more difficult and risky choice.2 -
The vast majority of people on this forum are losing weight without surgery. I find your post very judgmental and passive aggressive.
And no, I've not had weight loss surgery.6 -
This is gonna be good.4
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I'm getting it because I cant stick to a deficit for the life of me. I literally have mental breakdowns and have to go on medication when I'm losing weight and the medicine just causes me to gain. I've worked with doctors and nutritionists as well as personal trainers. I've trained and ran half marathons, lifted weights, been involved in multiple sports, cut out processed food, ate this not that, this often that often. Call me stupid or lazy but I've busted butt and gone through tons of emotions without any success. Surgery is a tool to help me with these issues and it is the last hope I have.10
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So, I was chubby all throughout highschool, and tried every way possible to lose weight. Pills, crash diets, everything. Eventually I came to realize the ONLY way I was going to get healthy was if I was to change my entire lifestyle. I lost 31.5 lbs in 5 months, and began bodybuilding. I used myfitnesspal to count my calories and adhered to it religiously, along with lifting and cardio 6 days a week, to lose the weight. I still eat very healthily and count my calories. It's been three years, and I've kept the fat off but have gained back half the weight in muscle mass. I look and feel better than I ever have before, and allow myself some leeway in my diet once or twice a week. It took about 12 weeks of strict diet and exercise to see any visible changes, but I have no regrets. I get people who don't even recognize me since I made the change, because I'm infinitely leaner and much more muscular than I was. I found a supportive family in the local gym, who always hold me accountable and help me stay on track. I wish you the best of luck on your fitness journey! Don't listen to the negative people on this forum. Find what works for you in diet and exercise, and stick with it. No one can make the change but you.3
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There are many of us here who didn't have surgery, although perhaps a large number of us wouldn't have qualified anyway. Check out the Success Stories forum.1
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WTH? If all you are seeing are posts from people who had surgery, you must be specifically seeking them out.4
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I would say the vast majority of people here lost weight without surgery. Not sure where you're seeing tons of posts or people using surgery...definitely in the minority.3
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I would opine that surgery might be the lazy way, but not necessarily the easy way.
Most people I know who had WLS simply did not understand how hard it would be until after the surgery.
Those were the people looking for a magic bullet to do the work for them.
Some kept the weight off, but most of those people did not.
I hear the procedures have changed so YMMV.0 -
I've lost 90 lbs over the course of the past couple years and have maintained that loss and continue to slowly lose the rest - all without surgery. I agree with the others - most people who post here did not have weight loss surgery, we simply count calories, and it works.
It sounds like you are zeroing in on the WLS posts for some reason - there are tips and inspiration for weight reduction through calorie counting all over this discussion board - continue reading and you will find them. But don't dismiss people who had WLS, they may have ideas that can help you too. Many of them have lost an amazing amount of weight and had to lose a significant amount before they even had the surgery in order to get approved - their accomplishments are equally worthy of respect.1 -
I have relatives who had WLS. It is not necessarily easy. Some of the struggles after having WLS are exactly the same as losing weight without surgery, some are different. No need to downplay the accomplishments of people who had surgery. We all make our own choices about the approach to weight loss that's best for us.
If you have a lot of weight to lose and are just looking for people to support you, try the group "100+ pounds with no surgery." However, the point of the group isn't to disrespect people who did have surgery, only to support those who can't or don't wish to have WLS.3 -
I lost a whole me with hard work and perseverance. Losing is easy. Maintenance is hard.2
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I'm getting it because I cant stick to a deficit for the life of me. I literally have mental breakdowns and have to go on medication when I'm losing weight and the medicine just causes me to gain. I've worked with doctors and nutritionists as well as personal trainers. I've trained and ran half marathons, lifted weights, been involved in multiple sports, cut out processed food, ate this not that, this often that often. Call me stupid or lazy but I've busted butt and gone through tons of emotions without any success. Surgery is a tool to help me with these issues and it is the last hope I have.
if you cant stick to a deficit then you wont lose the weight. I have a neighbor who had WLS and she is gaining the weight back because she is not sticking to a deficit.4 -
I genuinely can't see how an extended surgical procedure followed by extensive aftercare and a rigid eating plan is easier than eating slightly less....4
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I'm getting it because I cant stick to a deficit for the life of me. I literally have mental breakdowns and have to go on medication when I'm losing weight and the medicine just causes me to gain. I've worked with doctors and nutritionists as well as personal trainers. I've trained and ran half marathons, lifted weights, been involved in multiple sports, cut out processed food, ate this not that, this often that often. Call me stupid or lazy but I've busted butt and gone through tons of emotions without any success. Surgery is a tool to help me with these issues and it is the last hope I have.
if you cant stick to a deficit then you wont lose the weight. I have a neighbor who had WLS and she is gaining the weight back because she is not sticking to a deficit.
It is more of my body maintaining really well. At 120lbs I weighed 120lbs no matter what I did. Then I was on medication and put on 40lbs in two months. Now I'm 160 no matter what I do. If I can get help to get past the maintenance level I can maintain at a new level, but every time I get the first 10lbs off no matter how slowly, it shoots back up in a couple days because my body is determined to maintain. It is part physical part mental, but I'd rather go this route for the assistance than a bunch of pills.0 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I'm getting it because I cant stick to a deficit for the life of me. I literally have mental breakdowns and have to go on medication when I'm losing weight and the medicine just causes me to gain. I've worked with doctors and nutritionists as well as personal trainers. I've trained and ran half marathons, lifted weights, been involved in multiple sports, cut out processed food, ate this not that, this often that often. Call me stupid or lazy but I've busted butt and gone through tons of emotions without any success. Surgery is a tool to help me with these issues and it is the last hope I have.
if you cant stick to a deficit then you wont lose the weight. I have a neighbor who had WLS and she is gaining the weight back because she is not sticking to a deficit.
It is more of my body maintaining really well. At 120lbs I weighed 120lbs no matter what I did. Then I was on medication and put on 40lbs in two months. Now I'm 160 no matter what I do. If I can get help to get past the maintenance level I can maintain at a new level, but every time I get the first 10lbs off no matter how slowly, it shoots back up in a couple days because my body is determined to maintain. It is part physical part mental, but I'd rather go this route for the assistance than a bunch of pills.
You only weigh 160lbs and you're getting WLS??5 -
BruinsGal_91 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I'm getting it because I cant stick to a deficit for the life of me. I literally have mental breakdowns and have to go on medication when I'm losing weight and the medicine just causes me to gain. I've worked with doctors and nutritionists as well as personal trainers. I've trained and ran half marathons, lifted weights, been involved in multiple sports, cut out processed food, ate this not that, this often that often. Call me stupid or lazy but I've busted butt and gone through tons of emotions without any success. Surgery is a tool to help me with these issues and it is the last hope I have.
if you cant stick to a deficit then you wont lose the weight. I have a neighbor who had WLS and she is gaining the weight back because she is not sticking to a deficit.
It is more of my body maintaining really well. At 120lbs I weighed 120lbs no matter what I did. Then I was on medication and put on 40lbs in two months. Now I'm 160 no matter what I do. If I can get help to get past the maintenance level I can maintain at a new level, but every time I get the first 10lbs off no matter how slowly, it shoots back up in a couple days because my body is determined to maintain. It is part physical part mental, but I'd rather go this route for the assistance than a bunch of pills.
You only weigh 160lbs and you're getting WLS??
This is what I was going to say. What kind of doctor would perform surgery on someone who is 160 lbs who has only been this weight for a short period of time?3 -
I have beenWinoGelato wrote: »BruinsGal_91 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I'm getting it because I cant stick to a deficit for the life of me. I literally have mental breakdowns and have to go on medication when I'm losing weight and the medicine just causes me to gain. I've worked with doctors and nutritionists as well as personal trainers. I've trained and ran half marathons, lifted weights, been involved in multiple sports, cut out processed food, ate this not that, this often that often. Call me stupid or lazy but I've busted butt and gone through tons of emotions without any success. Surgery is a tool to help me with these issues and it is the last hope I have.
if you cant stick to a deficit then you wont lose the weight. I have a neighbor who had WLS and she is gaining the weight back because she is not sticking to a deficit.
It is more of my body maintaining really well. At 120lbs I weighed 120lbs no matter what I did. Then I was on medication and put on 40lbs in two months. Now I'm 160 no matter what I do. If I can get help to get past the maintenance level I can maintain at a new level, but every time I get the first 10lbs off no matter how slowly, it shoots back up in a couple days because my body is determined to maintain. It is part physical part mental, but I'd rather go this route for the assistance than a bunch of pills.
You only weigh 160lbs and you're getting WLS??
This is what I was going to say. What kind of doctor would perform surgery on someone who is 160 lbs who has only been this weight for a short period of time?
Fighting at this weight for 7 years now. The point of the surgery is to help me get past the initial weight loss without going crazy like I have been. I am great at meal prep and better at exercising but I can't stay on track long enough for real success. Just gaining and losing 10lbs every few months and I can't take it mentally anymore. 160 is 30 bmi for me. That is obese.0 -
I think many informed people deliberately take easy way out and there is nothing wrong with that. I looked into surgery, felt restricting the kinds of food I can eat for life would be too hard and that relearning portions would be easier, so that's what I did, went for the more pleasant solution. It's not 100% effortless (almost nothing is), but it sure beats not ever being able to eat bread without consequences.2
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If you are too lazy and undisciplined to "stay on track" now, why do you think you will magically be able to do so after an invasive medical procedure?!Fighting at this weight for 7 years now. The point of the surgery is to help me get past the initial weight loss without going crazy like I have been. I am great at meal prep and better at exercising but I can't stay on track long enough for real success. Just gaining and losing 10lbs every few months and I can't take it mentally anymore. 160 is 30 bmi for me. That is obese.
Stop making excuses & quit eating more than you need.
There. I just saved you a few thousand dollars and a lot of misery.
If you cannot do it consistently then you are not "great" at it like you claim.
It is posts like yours that make some people think WLS is the "easy way" and others to look down on people who might actually need it.4 -
If you are too lazy and undisciplined to "stay on track" now, why do you think you will magically be able to do so after an invasive medical procedure?!Fighting at this weight for 7 years now. The point of the surgery is to help me get past the initial weight loss without going crazy like I have been. I am great at meal prep and better at exercising but I can't stay on track long enough for real success. Just gaining and losing 10lbs every few months and I can't take it mentally anymore. 160 is 30 bmi for me. That is obese.
Stop making excuses & eating more than you need.
There. I just saved you a few thousand dollars and a lot of misery.
Thanks but sometimes it isn't a person being stupid and lazy. There are actual physical and mental issues that require medical intervention. To include surgery and counseling. Too many people just struggle all of their lives because they are made to feel pathetic for not being able to succeed the same way everyone else does. Sorry, my life is too short to be ashamed of getting help.1 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I'm getting it because I cant stick to a deficit for the life of me. I literally have mental breakdowns and have to go on medication when I'm losing weight and the medicine just causes me to gain. I've worked with doctors and nutritionists as well as personal trainers. I've trained and ran half marathons, lifted weights, been involved in multiple sports, cut out processed food, ate this not that, this often that often. Call me stupid or lazy but I've busted butt and gone through tons of emotions without any success. Surgery is a tool to help me with these issues and it is the last hope I have.
if you cant stick to a deficit then you wont lose the weight. I have a neighbor who had WLS and she is gaining the weight back because she is not sticking to a deficit.
It is more of my body maintaining really well. At 120lbs I weighed 120lbs no matter what I did. Then I was on medication and put on 40lbs in two months. Now I'm 160 no matter what I do. If I can get help to get past the maintenance level I can maintain at a new level, but every time I get the first 10lbs off no matter how slowly, it shoots back up in a couple days because my body is determined to maintain. It is part physical part mental, but I'd rather go this route for the assistance than a bunch of pills.
weight fluctuates so you dont have just one weight number. and medications dont make you gain weight,they increase appetite and you eat more or they lower your TDEE/metabolism a bit therefore you need to eat less. if it shoots back up in a couple of days its a fluctuation unless you are eating 3500+ calories over your TDEE those couple of days to gain it back.1
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