The middle agers group. (Upper 30s,40s & 50ish folks)

MikePfirrman wrote: »

Djproulx wrote: »

MikePfirrman wrote: »

No problem Steve. I read something last year that I wish I had known when I was changing. It was actually a weight loss article related to habits and I think it's so true. It was a study. If people try to change just one thing at a time for a month to 6 weeks, they have an 80% chance of success. If they try to change two or more things, the success rate drops below 40%.

New people on here nearly always take on too much - logging, cutting back calories and working out. That's THREE habits at once to change. Just start with logging/weighing everything. That's a win in itself!

If I had to do everything over again I'd apply this. Just log everything for the first month. Build that habit, then perhaps take out one or two things I ate that were calorie bombs the next month, then perhaps add in movement the next month, even if for just two/three days a week. Build one habit at a time. Get them down, move on. When I look back at nearly 10 years, that's all it was. One habit at a time. Had setbacks, just kept trying. If I can do it anyone can.

@MikePfirrman - Your story resonates with me. I struggled with weight gain as an adult, reaching 235lbs and 34% BF at 54years old in 2011, when I finally made the decision to make weight loss my priority. I started with a trainer and MFP and just stuck with it. I lost about 45 lbs over the first year, then kept chipping away at it for another 10lbs over the next year. As the weight came off, I resumed running and began to dabble in endurance sports. These new activities have replaced my old sedentary lifestyle. An unexpected bonus has been the very active group of friends my wife and I have made through my participation in racing and training.

So I agree with your assessment that anyone can do it. Its very simple, yet it is not easy. The key is to Just Keep Going...

I'd also second your suggestion about making only one change at a time. There's a very interesting book by Charles Duhigg, titled "The Power of Habit" that outlines why we do what we do, and how lasting change comes from making new habits. Its worth a read for anyone wondering how to make a change and have it stick.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Good for you, too!! That's really impressive! It's odd but fun with the new lifestyles, isn't it?? I've heard of that book and not bought it, but read passages from it. Even though I've lost the weight, I try to apply some of these strategies now to my small business and it's helped in other areas, not just related to weight. But I think, for beginners, it can be very overwhelming.

My wife and I are moving to an "Active Adult" community next year. Not sure in our early to mid 40s we could have been able to enjoy it. It feels so amazing to have not just the energy for chores/work, but to enjoy life differently. We've taken up golf too.

@ Slimgirljo - thanks, but she's pretty amazing for me too and now I have her old self back, so well worth the sacrifice on food. Also, ironically, I found out later that I react worse (by accidentally eating things with gluten/wheat) than she does, so by me changing, I might have helped myself more than her. She can eat gluten easier than dairy but feels better without it. If I eat anything wheat, even a beer, I'm miserable. I've been allergic to grass (badly) all my life. Should have probably put that together years ago that wheat is a type of grass. So we're quite the pair now, I'm emphasizing no wheat and her no dairy when we go out. It is amazing how much healthier you eat when you eliminate those two things and fried food. Pretty much makes calorie counting nearly unnecessary! We are back to eating the occasional goat/sheep and A2/A2 cow dairy. She doesn't react to those (different proteins). I've even found a Goat Mozz that tastes like the real thing. That on an Udi's pizza crust and you think you're eating a great pizza. About the only thing I really miss is malt flavor (made from barley, a grass). We can pretty much figure out how to make everything else if we want it bad enough.

@ yukfoo - I'm getting closer myself! These 60, 70 and even 80 year old Pickleballers are crushing my wife and I. There are two guys at our local club -- one is 86 and the other 84 and they play 5 days a week!