What nobody tells you about losing weight

Laying in bed thinking you are laying on a remote control and realizing its your ribs!

Going from walking through ikea trying not to look in the mirror to stopping at every mirror not recognising yourself.

Going into designer clothes shops and buying clothes that fit!

Nobody told me I'd become the type of person who likes to take pictures of my food. It just seemed outside my character. However it's hard not to when a salad, for example, contains so many colors and interesting textures that it's a true pleasure to behold! Not only that but I've started using THE GOOD dishes. It's more fun when I make a bit of an event out of my small, flavorful, nutrient packed meals. I still love to cook and I still love to eat, just not as much at any given time.

Showing my husband how to do a spiderman pushup yesterday. That's right, hubby. Daaaammmnn indeed.

What no one will tell you:

Everyone here, and I mean EVERYONE, thinks they have the answers and secret to success. I learned the hard way that the only thing that will work for me is the diet and plan that were meant for me. It will take some experimentation with yourself to figure out what works for you. That's the only way anyone loses weight, they do what's best for them.

speyerj wrote: »

That in fact, others who have gone down this road before really do have a lot to teach you. And while not all advice is equally helpful, some of it actually is - which is why I read these forums. And that evidence based practices really do work.

This. To the Nth degree.

FibroHiker wrote: »

... the only thing that will work for me is the diet and plan that were meant for me. It will take some experimentation with yourself to figure out what works for you. That's the only way anyone loses weight, they do what's best for them.

I have been pondering your post and I am sorry you feel you had to learn this the hard way. My impression is that most people here at mfp realise - or have come to realise - exactly this. If you look round the forums there are lots of posts saying effectively "This works for me but it might not work for you." We share (or at least I share and I read the forums) because what has helped one person might help someone else, not because I think it is the only way.

Also, what I have found out (the hard way) is that what worked for me pre-menopause was different from what works post-menopause. I need a lot more exercise now to lose weight at the same level of calories intake, but it is happening. I just hope the spare tyre goes with it.

I'm terrible at returning clothes especially cheap stuff bought off ebay etc so I've a few things in my wardrobe that I bought optimistically that are starting to fit now.

katescurios wrote: »

That even early in the journey and with a relatively small loss you are healthier. I'm 15lb down with 40+ left to lose and for the first time in years I had my BP checked today and it was normal. Not high normal or high or WOW that's a bit scary high but totally normal.

Agreed, a lot of it is good habits that also happen to result in weight loss rather than just the weight loss itself.

It’s all relative. I went from 105kg to 85kg

Preciously XXL T-shirt’s and 17” collar and 38” waist to now: M T-shirt, 15” collar and 30” waist.

Now that my whole wardrobe has changed, I can look in the mirror and still see the overweight guy Sometimes.

RelCanonical wrote: »

I have to consciously remind myself how uncomfortable I felt when I was at a higher weight, because sometimes I catch myself wondering why I lost weight in the first place. It's easy to become complacent with your current weight and forget how much better it feels to have the weight off.

I can relate to this. Especially, the complacent part when I'm sitting here debating whether or not I want to eat these M&Ms despite having had a relatively higher calorie day.

It's easy to forget where I was when the now is so very present. I still have more to lose, but it's harder now.