If you could tell one thing to newbies on MFP....
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To make it sustainable, commit to a healthy lifestyle, not a short term fix. It makes maintenance soo much easier. And also--always have something you are striving for. Even when you are done losing weight, there is always a new fitness challenge around the corner.0
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It takes as long as it takes. WL does not fit perfectly into a timeline.
And there are plenty of things that taste just as good, if not better, than skinny feels.0 -
There is no magic pill.0
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You. Can't. Spot. Reduce.0
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Don't give up. EVER. The day you quit is the day you fail.
My boyfriend's sister posted this picture to facebook. I love it!
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Would you say support from other people on MFP is a big help? I saw it mentioned somewhere, but Id rather keep it private from the people I know from day to day life!! And be able to talk to people that know the situation
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You're eventually going to have to break up with or severely limit your time with Cardio.
I'm not there yet, obviously, but I will eventually need to break up with CARDIO? Please tell me why?
Personally, I don't think you have to "break up" with cardio. I train for half marathons and I am never going to break up with cardio, I love running, spinning, etc. But if one is doing ONLY cardio, it's a great idea to ADD strength training and body weight resistance exercises. Doing one won't cancel out the other. :flowerforyou:
what *I* was actually talking about was that you'd have to break up with it (OR SEVERELY LIMIT YOUR TIME WITH IT) for weight loss reasons.
I also run half marathons, 10 milers on the regs - even a 16 or so here and there.
But I dont do it for weight loss. I do it for peace of mind and because I thoroughly enjoy it.
But in what I actually consider my workouts? 15-20 minutes @ 6-7mph and thats it.
Once I stopped believing that I had to log 5-10 hours of cardio a week to lose weight, I actually became happy again, broke an 18 month plateau and I'll never be a cardio *kitten* again. Not to make the scale move.
Never. Again.
*channels Gone with the wind*0 -
You. Can't. Spot. Reduce.
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No person on MFP is going to be able to tell you exactly what is the best way for YOU to lose weight. There's a lot of good information, and a lot of self-righteousness. The former can be helpful, the latter never is.
Take what YOU can use, and leave the rest. And don't ever, ever, ever give up on learning about your own body.
This.
Figure out what works for you and learn more and more. Be selective about all of the advice floating around. Except for the success stories, take it all in, in the future it will be you! And me
^ both of these people are trying to trick you already. this is advice. dont fall for it!!!0 -
dont expect overnight results. You didn't put on x number of pounds in a week, don't expect it to come off in a week. And don't get bent out of shape when weight loss slows or stops for a time. Stay positive, stay patient, and keep doing what you're doing to make yourself a little healthier every day. Its a marathon, and sometimes detours happen. Keep on truckin'.0
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Would you say support from other people on MFP is a big help? I saw it mentioned somewhere, but Id rather keep it private from the people I know from day to day life!! And be able to talk to people that know the situation
Like you, I didn't want all the people in my life to know what was going on with my weight loss, but the anonymity of MFP makes it a lot easier. I love having the friends I do on here, and only selected other people in my life know what goes on.0 -
DO NOT Starve yourself then kill yourself with exorcise. Eating 1000 Calories and Burning 1000calories in a day is a recipe for disaster. Believe it or not, eating will help you lose weight if you do it right.
^^^ THIS!0 -
No person on MFP is going to be able to tell you exactly what is the best way for YOU to lose weight. There's a lot of good information, and a lot of self-righteousness. The former can be helpful, the latter never is.
Take what YOU can use, and leave the rest. And don't ever, ever, ever give up on learning about your own body.
This.
Figure out what works for you and learn more and more. Be selective about all of the advice floating around. Except for the success stories, take it all in, in the future it will be you! And me
^ both of these people are trying to trick you already. this is advice. dont fall for it!!!
Look out! That's advice too!
LOL...0 -
This. Also, opt to lose 1 pound per week, not more.I've seen this said before. Can anybody tell me my people recommend this? At that rate, it would take me around 21 months.
Because hopefully it's a long-term life style change vs. a quick diet is my best guess, it's easier and more manageable. 1 lb of real weight a week is a lot and people don't realize it.0 -
Don't be so hard on yourself. I like the phrase "This is a marathon, not a sprint". But, I don't know - that might be an intimidating phrase. :O) Anyway, just know that this is a life-long process and not some "do it now, do it right, or be forever fat" kind of scenario.0
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Enjoy the friendships you will be making. What a great group of people are on this site. They are both helpful and supportive. I love my friends0
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I'd tell them: Don't be the one to post "Hi, I'm new here, looking for support!" That initial motivation comes from within. As far as I'm concerned, you shouldn't look for a single MFP buddy until AFTER you've lost the first 10 lbs. Because if you can't do it on your own, no amount of support is gonna get you there.
I waited until I dropped 12 pounds. THEN I posted and said I was looking for MFP buddies who were COMMITTED to weight loss and had the RESULTS to prove it. Every "friend" of mine has dropped anywhere from 10 to 50 lbs. When I get a friend request from someone who's lost, say, 2 lbs, I ignore it. Anyone can lose 2 lbs. Drink water and take a good poop and you've lost two lbs. That's not commitment, that's an accident. But when a person has lost at least 10 lbs, that shows a consistent commitment.
So, I'd tell a newbie: Be a newbie BY YOURSELF for the first 10 lbs. Report to nobody but yourself (or your closest loved ones, people you live with). Because if you surround yourself from the beginning with people who, like you, haven't accomplished anything yet, then you'll all likely let one another quit. And, if you surround yourself with people who have already committed to fitness, yes, they may have some support to offer you...but what do YOU have to offer them?
Motivation is a two-way street. Don't expect it if you can't give it. And "motivation" from someone who hasn't lost any weight is empty...just words.
I'm rambling, I know, but this subject drives me nuts. Do it FOR YOURSELF, BY YOURSELF at first. THEN, when you have EARNED the right to join the community of dedicated people who have results to prove it, you can, knowing that you have as much to offer as anyone else.0 -
QUIT freaking out if you're a little over.. it's actually a good thing here and there.
DRINK your water. (PLAIN)0 -
I would say -
Take pics and measurements
Use the search feature before you post a new topic asking a question - chances are it's been asked today, and yesterday, and the day before...
Get a HRM as soon as you can0 -
Pick your MFPals wisely, and...
md30 -
Exercise...... not too much
Eat at a deficit..... not too low
Enjoy yourself.... a little bit
Well said! Thanks!0 -
This. Also, opt to lose 1 pound per week, not more.I've seen this said before. Can anybody tell me my people recommend this? At that rate, it would take me around 21 months.
Because hopefully it's a long-term life style change vs. a quick diet is my best guess, it's easier and more manageable. 1 lb of real weight a week is a lot and people don't realize it.
And even being a perfect MFPer, you can't predict how fast you will lose. The "1lb a week" range does not mean that you're guaranteed to lose that much every week, or you might lose more. Setting a timeline for weightloss isn't helpful!0 -
Measure!
exactly!! measure measure measure..........so when the scale doesn't move and you get discouraged you can remeasure and be amazed~!0 -
Live for today -- and focus on what you can do towards your goals today only. Don't get hung up on yesterday -- and don't get frustrated looking at tomorrow.0
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There's no ONE thing..its a silly request.
1: Calculate your Base Metabolic Rate (BMR) and try to NEVER let your NET calories consumed go below your BMR.
2: Measure and don't place too much emphasis on the scales.
3: Focus on consistency in all that you do related to weight loss and fitness.0 -
LOL!0
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throw the scale away0
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Take your measurements! I really regret not doing that- pounds are great but inches are confidence! Xx0
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Don't cheat yourself! If you never lost weight doing this activity before, don't log it. With hard work, comes results!0
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^Truth^Pick your MFPals wisely, and...
Take pictures early on. I hated what I looked like at my heaviest (my pic, on the left, is after 10lbs were already shred) and avoided cameras like the plague. But now, I wish I had something to look back on and see how far I've come - this goes for measurements, too.
And don't get discouraged. I have friends on here that have lost twice what I have in half the time, but I know (for me) that my weight will stay off. I haven't gained in over a year and I will take that any day.0
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