What is your secret?

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Replies

  • ShapingAgnes
    ShapingAgnes Posts: 45 Member
    There are no secrets to this. Everyone knows what they have to do with eating healthy, in moderation, and exercising. It's doing it that's the hard part.

    Nicely Said!:drinker: :drinker: :drinker:
  • Silverkittycat
    Silverkittycat Posts: 1,997 Member
    whiskey, cocaine, hookers...
  • secrets_out
    secrets_out Posts: 684 Member
    whiskey, cocaine, hookers...
    But all in moderation!
  • ajevans2674
    ajevans2674 Posts: 31 Member
    Man, it's funny how many people say work hard, etc. and eat what you want. To an extent that's true. But rather than give you "secrets," I feel like tips could easily be in order, keeping in mind all our bodies metabolize and process differently.

    Here are some of my tips:
    --Be strict with my diet during the weekday, so I can splurge just a bit on a Frid. or Sat. It's more a mental thing, I think.
    --Workout 5-6 days a week, including a mixture of HIIT cardio (I love interval training on a treadmill - I'm weird like that!), strength training, endurance cardio at least once a week, and stretching
    --I drink at least 8 cups of water each day, more if I have an intense workout. Whether it helps you lose weight or not, I drink to keep my stomach from rumbling for no reason. Your body often processes dehydration as hunger in its first stages.
    --I avoid 99% of snacks and junk food at work! This is such a killer, but once I made the resolve to track my food, it's amazing the junk food I've been able to not eat. On the flip side, I have a drawer filled with healthy snacks at my desk for snacks, including fruit, nuts, no-butter microwave popcorn (Orvill. Red. Natural with 50% less fat is super tasty & low-cal!), and Greek yogurt
    --I track absolutely everything I eat, even if I have to guesstimate. I think holding yourself accountable no matter what is KEY.

    Ultimately, I have no magic tricks, but from the start of this journey (Dec. 20th, 2011), I've lost just about 7 pounds, which means what I'm doing works for me. Thankfully, I'm not on a very long weight loss journey, so pounds are harder to come by, but what's saved me more than once has been my accountability to MFP and sheer will power - always picturing the light at the end of the tunnel. I might hate the idea of giving up a scone at work, but then I think about that excitement I feel when I've lost weight on the scale and I know it's worth it to feel satisfied with body and my overall health.
  • mattkellett
    mattkellett Posts: 82
    there is no secret!, work hard have some discipline, treat yourself once and a while, stop making excuses, sweat, dont lie to yourself, did I mention work hard?

    : ) I say this in the nicest way, but truly there no secrets.

    good luck
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    There's no secret. If someone tells you they have the secret, don't believe them, especially if they want to sell you something. :) Basically, make sure you eat enough, but not too much, and get as much activity as you can.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Lots of entertaining replies. :laugh:

    The reason this thread generated so much snark is because there are no "secrets". All of these sort of one-liner tips like "eat clean", "drink more water", "no carbs after 6", while they may coincidentally help people lose weight, are largely useless. The only tip worth noting is to eat at a calorie deficit and exercise. And that's no secret at all. Yet so many ignore it and keep seeking more complicated and misguided approaches.

    The more discourse we have on how to succeed at this, the more cloudy it gets.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    Eat clean, don't count anything. Humans avoided obesity for thousands of years without even knowing what a calorie was.
  • ZombieSlayer
    ZombieSlayer Posts: 369 Member
    Eat pizza. Drink wine. Work hard.

    Don't forget the Oreos and bacon. Essentials to lose weight.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    The only tip worth noting is to eat at a calorie deficit and exercise. And that's no secret at all. Yet so many ignore it and keep seeking more complicated and misguided approaches.

    So why do over 90% of people who attempt to follow this tip fail?
  • secrets_out
    secrets_out Posts: 684 Member
    Lots of entertaining replies. :laugh:

    The reason this thread generated so much snark is because there are no "secrets". All of these sort of one-liner tips like "eat clean", "drink more water", "no carbs after 6", while they may coincidentally help people lose weight, are largely useless. The only tip worth noting is to eat at a calorie deficit and exercise. And that's no secret at all. Yet so many ignore it and keep seeking more complicated and misguided approaches.

    The more discourse we have on how to succeed at this, the more cloudy it gets.
    are you telling me...if I eat less than use and workout..I will lose weight? Really?!? Frick! Now what am I gonna do with all thesetge *kitten* and whiskey : /
  • MizzDoc
    MizzDoc Posts: 493 Member
    1. Take it one day at a time.
    2. Don't stop because of a bad day.
    3. Try to incorporate any type of exercise at least 3 times a week.
    4. Increase your water intake.
    5. TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME :smile:
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    Eat clean, don't count anything. Humans avoided obesity for thousands of years without even knowing what a calorie was.

    True... but they also had to hunt for or grow their food... wich be definition was clean and limited intake... now we can simply stroll into a mcdonalds for a supersize meal....

    Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
  • hellraisedfire
    hellraisedfire Posts: 403 Member
    green tea every time I'm thirsty :) and don't deprive yourself of sweets when you want them, you shouldn't have to hate eating! nestle ice cream cones (120 calories) and skinny cow ice cream (chocolate brownie = 150 calories)! ...and eggs. hard-boiled eggs and a handful of spinach are my go-to happy snacks!
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    I haven't exercised for a month because I'm lazy.
    I just don't eat over my calorie goal so I keep losing weight.
  • Missevanston
    Missevanston Posts: 361 Member
    I must agree! Eat what you love, in moderation...work hard at the gym, lift weights, drink WATER!
  • secrets_out
    secrets_out Posts: 684 Member
    The only tip worth noting is to eat at a calorie deficit and exercise. And that's no secret at all. Yet so many ignore it and keep seeking more complicated and misguided approaches.

    So why do over 90% of people who attempt to follow this tip fail?
    They aren't eating their exercise calories!
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    The only secret to find out is that there is no magic secret. It's really very simple, it just takes discipline to do.
  • slayerdan
    slayerdan Posts: 193
    I went to the crossroads.
  • judejacklucy
    judejacklucy Posts: 34
    Stove top popcorn, franks hot sauce. Spicy and pretty low cal too!!
  • NaomiLyn15
    NaomiLyn15 Posts: 388 Member
    The only tip worth noting is to eat at a calorie deficit and exercise. And that's no secret at all. Yet so many ignore it and keep seeking more complicated and misguided approaches.

    So why do over 90% of people who attempt to follow this tip fail?

    They don't stick with it. It takes 12 weeks to notice a difference. How many people will keep at it for 3 months without a noticable difference? This is the key, stick to it.
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    The only tip worth noting is to eat at a calorie deficit and exercise. And that's no secret at all. Yet so many ignore it and keep seeking more complicated and misguided approaches.

    So why do over 90% of people who attempt to follow this tip fail?

    Simply because an attempt is just the effort put forth. To have actually done it is a success. A failure means they tried and did it wrong.
  • kimberlylane16
    kimberlylane16 Posts: 13 Member
    dont deprive yourself.
    stick to your plan.
    push yourself every time you go to the gym.
    stay positive.
    drink tea.
    enjoy the change, make it your own.

    This
  • Scorpioangel
    Scorpioangel Posts: 951 Member
    For me it was to stick to my workout plan, to keep going strong even if I didn't feel like it and to nourish my body the best that I can!
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    The only tip worth noting is to eat at a calorie deficit and exercise. And that's no secret at all. Yet so many ignore it and keep seeking more complicated and misguided approaches.

    So why do over 90% of people who attempt to follow this tip fail?

    Simply because an attempt is just the effort put forth. To have actually done it is a success. A failure means they tried and did it wrong.

    Exactly. Those who stick with it and follow this tip often do not fail. It works if you actually do it.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    The only tip worth noting is to eat at a calorie deficit and exercise. And that's no secret at all. Yet so many ignore it and keep seeking more complicated and misguided approaches.

    So why do over 90% of people who attempt to follow this tip fail?

    90% fail? I'm a cynic and even I don't think it's that high. I think 100% who do it whole-heartedly will succeed, unless they have a medical impairment.

    Whole heartedly is the key. It means being able to measure properly and accurately, and sticking to it over time. A lot of people are in denial about how much food they consume, or how many calories they burn while exercising. Or they try for 1 or 2 weeks and give up. Or restrict calories to an unsustainable level.

    Do you think those of us who have had long-lasting success using tried and true methods are part of some special 10%?
  • Craig_hyde
    Craig_hyde Posts: 161 Member
    Mine isn't a secret really......Just stick at it.
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    The only tip worth noting is to eat at a calorie deficit and exercise. And that's no secret at all. Yet so many ignore it and keep seeking more complicated and misguided approaches.

    So why do over 90% of people who attempt to follow this tip fail?
    I don't know where you came up with that statistic from. It has worked for me and everybody on my list of friends here on MFP.
  • ShapeUpSidney
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member
    I eat potato chips on the elliptical. So it cancels out, ya know...
  • sjtreely
    sjtreely Posts: 1,014 Member
    My secret: I burn more fat and calories than I consume.
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