When I first started this journey I thought ____, but now I know ____.
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I didn't actually think I could reach my "true" goal weight, I'd be stuck at mid-high normal BMI forever. It's just how I was built
Managed to not only reach that goal weight, but am currently sitting at weight that surpasses that initial "dream goal" weight by 10 pounds---and I eat around 2100-2200 calories per day , if not more(Female).11 -
I thought weight loss would be quite difficult, but that it was (regrettably) necessary for health.
It was much easier than I thought, for me. I could kick myself for not doing it decades earlier.
It was more necessary, and more subjectively desirable than I thought, for me, in various ways (reduced pain, improved mobility, general sense of well-being, etc.).
Because I was already very active while obese (and actually pretty fit when it comes to objective things like resting heart rate, race performance for a recreational athlete, etc.), but stayed obese despite high exercise activity, I thought I must have a "slow metabolism", especially in that I'm pretty old (59-60 when losing, 65 now), menopausal, hypothyroid, female, non-tall, not a lifelong thin/athletic/active person. Those are all supposed to be metabolic doom, "people say".
Nope. My calorie needs are actually substantially higher than average for my demographic, probably partly because of that decade or so of being active while obese. (I'm not saying the difference is necessarily about "metabolism", but there is a difference: MFP and many other sources estimate way too low, for me.)
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I thought once I got to a number on the scale, I'd be satisfied, but now I know its a journey for improving myself and trying to be happy with what I've done for me.6
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As a kid I had this misconception that I would always be skinny. Considering I was skinny my whole childhood. Now I am 5'7 183 lbs. I am not the fattest person but I am also not the skinniest. My weight loss journey wont be as daunting as some of you but I can still relate to your struggle.6
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SuperMotivated56 wrote: »Thank you for a thought-provoking thread!
When I first started this journey, I thought that it was selfish to take time for myself to focus on exercise and well-being and was very self-conscious about monitoring my eating and what others would think. But now I know that exercise and self-care has nothing to do with vanity and is not something to feel guilty about - I now embrace my exercise and healthier eating and the better person that it has helped me to become. I have seen those who respect and appreciate me - not to mention support me and are proud of my efforts, as well as those who don't and aren't worth my time or energy any way.
When I first started this journey, I thought that healthier eating would leave me feeling deprived of all the "good stuff", but now I know how delicious and fulfilling a better way of eating can be - really! - even though others question me...
When I first started this journey, I thought that I really enjoyed the "junk", especially the sweets and that the cravings if I went without would be overwhelming, but now I know that when I stop and think about them, these things really aren't even that tasty any way.
When I first started this journey, I thought that it would be impossible for someone like me to tone and build muscle. While it has been a long and steady process, I still surprise myself at times and now know that it is possible to build muscle, for the first time in my life, even as a 45-year old lady!
When I first started this journey, I thought that it was all about the weight, but now I know that I genuinely am a happier person, more capable, self-confident and self-assured and feel more bullet-proof than I ever have before!
That is interesting that you were a bit embarrassed about vanity. I never thought of eating healthy as a vanity. However, I've always feel that weight lifting is very vain. It's something that kind of bothers me sometimes. I don't want people to think I am some gym douche.3 -
FatLard200 - I would say embrace the weights 😊. I don’t belong to a gym and have only ever used handheld weights in the comfort of my own home. It has made such a difference to me - physically and mentally - the strength that I have gained is immeasurable and it feels great knowing that I can do things and lift things nice with so much more confidence.5
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When I first started this journey I thought "Well, here goes nothing," 🤷🏿♀️ but now I know "Geewillikers, I kinda did something!!" 🙆🏿♀️11
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When I first started this journey I thought that managing carbs was the only way to succeed in losing weight and maintaining my goal weight. Now I know that by timing my carb consumption such that my insulin spikes only twice a day, and give it time to work I can achieve much more without sacrificing the foods I enjoy.9
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When I first started, I thought I would do a 6 week challenge and be nearly done! Now I know that this is a long haul, not about dropping as much as possible in the shortest time I can.
Now it's about living my life...balancing all the parts of my life including treats, exercise and overall health.6 -
When I first started this journey, I thought it was about aesthetics, I just wanted to "look" better, but now I know that it has had a far greater impact on my mood, confidence, and mental and physical health than my appearance. That is now a bigger drive and motivation to carry on than simply what I look like.14
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nitalieben wrote: »When I first started this journey, I thought it was about aesthetics, I just wanted to "look" better, but now I know that it has had a far greater impact on my mood, confidence, and mental and physical health than my appearance. That is now a bigger drive and motivation to carry on than simply what I look like.
I second this! While I am enjoying the progress so far in terms of how my body is looking, I feel SOOO much better mentally than I have in a long time. I find I am managing stress a whole lot better and I just have a much more positive outlook in general.10 -
When I first started this journey, I figured that I’d lose some weight, then burn out like I had always done in the past. Now I know that eating at maintenance is perfectly okay to do now and then, and it would help me reach my end goal. Now I know that even if I have an off day, it’s not going to derail everything that I’ve already accomplished, and I can continue moving forward. Now I’m 76lbs down and 1lb away from my goal weight!16
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When I first started this journey I thought "I don't care how long it takes, but I'll get to my goal weight" but now I know it's not just about a goal weight, it's about physical and mental health along with feeling better about myself and building better habits to feel amazing!8
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