Will you be held hostage at your final goal?

fatchiick · June 2012

Okay their are a lot of people, who seem to be very strict and gungho about the way they eat, exercise and ao forth they have very strong opinions, that I personaly don't find realist and i'd feel held hostage and held captive...let me be free lol..

I hear very militant comments like:

This isn't a diet, its a lifestyle.

Exercise isn't necessary for weight loss.

Measure EVERYTHING.

I drink 64 OUNCES of water daily.

and so many other very agressive and unrealistic things.

This is not a lifestyle for me. I don't want a life of eating chicken breast, grass and water.

I exercise so the weight will come off faster and so I can truly live a lifestyle, where I don't have to measure everything and eat and drink stuff I dont like or desire. Yes you can lose weight without exercise but who wants to eat 1000 cals a day? If it was NATURAL most of you wouldn't be here.

I'm just saying I plan on having a healthy diet.. NO ONE CAN EAT WHATEVER THEY WANT. BUT all these unnatural behaviors of measuring and drinking gallons of water and saying I rather not eat than exercise.. seem a bit radical to me...

Just as observation. Do what's best for you. I just had to vent

amanda3588 · June 2012

I completely agree. Last night I ate out and over-indulged. This morning, I worked out. No harm, no foul. I refuse to cut things out of my diet that are unrealistic long term.

TexanThom · June 2012

Diet can be used in other terms than weight loss. My diet has changed and will stay changed for the rest of my life. I will never go on a "diet".

Slynderize · June 2012

I agree! I take all info into consideration and then target what is realistic. There are a LOT of schools of thought on all of weight loss topics, so you have to balance what's best for you and use common sense.

Crochetluvr · June 2012

Your last sentence said it all...."Do what's best for you." Some things work for some but not for others. You have to figure out what works and run with it. We are not cookie cutter people.

islandnutshel · June 2012

I entered a weight goal, but I don't really have one, when my body feels strong and healthy I will set one. I have assigned no time limits to this. I have set a pace. I am at 2/week to start, but I will reduce to 1/week as I get closer to my goal.
I am enjoying the changes my body makes along the way. Even the small changes. I don't want to wait to be happy.
If this rings true to your style, please friend me.

MJ7910 · June 2012

Okay their are a lot of people, who seem to be very strict and gungho about the way they eat, exercise and ao forth they have very strong opinions, that I personaly don't find realist and i'd feel held hostage and held captive...let me be free lol..

I hear very militant comments like:

This isn't a diet, its a lifestyle.

Exercise isn't necessary for weight loss.

Measure EVERYTHING.

I drink 64 OUNCES of water daily.

and so many other very agressive and unrealistic things.

This is not a lifestyle for me. I don't want a life of eating chicken breast, grass and water.

I exercise so the weight will come off faster and so I can truly live a lifestyle, where I don't have to measure everything and eat and drink stuff I dont like or desire. Yes you can lose weight without exercise but who wants to eat 1000 cals a day? If it was NATURAL most of you wouldn't be here.

I'm just saying I plan on having a healthy diet.. NO ONE CAN EAT WHATEVER THEY WANT. BUT all these unnatural behaviors of measuring and drinking gallons of water and saying I rather not eat than exercise.. seem a bit radical to me...

Just as observation. Do what's best for you. I just had to vent

i don't really see it as militant. for me i am changing my lifestyle. i dont' want to eat donuts and cake all the time. i think some of the time is ok, but not all the time like i used to. i want my new lifestyle to be eating healthy most of the time and exercising at least 4x a week. i dont think that is militaristic or unrealistic. the water is important. i try to drink as much as i can every day. there is no "i MUST drink x amount" but i do my best... i think it all depends on how you look at it. maybe it feels to restrictive to you. but i think measuring is ok too if it works for you. no one says you have to but i know it can help to know what a normal portion shoudl look like

hbrittingham · June 2012

Why is saying that this isn't a diet, but a lifestyle change unrealistic?

If you don't have that mindset, then I think you are setting yourself up to fail. Why do I say this? Because I have been there, done that. Several times. I had the same idea, get the weight off and then go back to eating "normal" foods. And I ended up gaining everything back. Because back then I didn't realize that I had to change my lifestyle, move more, eat less in order to succeed.

sleepytexan · June 2012

Okay their are a lot of people, who seem to be very strict and gungho about the way they eat, exercise and ao forth they have very strong opinions, that I personaly don't find realist and i'd feel held hostage and held captive...let me be free lol..

I hear very militant comments like:

This isn't a diet, its a lifestyle.

Exercise isn't necessary for weight loss.

Measure EVERYTHING.

I drink 64 OUNCES of water daily.

and so many other very agressive and unrealistic things.

This is not a lifestyle for me. I don't want a life of eating chicken breast, grass and water.

I exercise so the weight will come off faster and so I can truly live a lifestyle, where I don't have to measure everything and eat and drink stuff I dont like or desire. Yes you can lose weight without exercise but who wants to eat 1000 cals a day? If it was NATURAL most of you wouldn't be here.

I'm just saying I plan on having a healthy diet.. NO ONE CAN EAT WHATEVER THEY WANT. BUT all these unnatural behaviors of measuring and drinking gallons of water and saying I rather not eat than exercise.. seem a bit radical to me...

Just as observation. Do what's best for you. I just had to vent

Ya, I don't think you get the lifestyle thing.

amymeenieminymo · June 2012

I have a question then. When you get to your goal, how do you plan to maintain your weight and not gain it back? I hear what you're saying, but for many people such as myself, I will likely have to count calories for the rest of my life in order to stay at a decent weight. I've tried in the past to just make healthier choices, and after years of counting and measuring you'd think I can eyeball servings and keep a decent tally in my head. Nope....human nature takes over and we tend to overestimate how much we work out and underestimate how much we eat.

Like I said, I agree with some of what you said, but this IS a lifestyle change. If you don't like eating chicken breast, grass, and water then you're not doing it right because you have to be able to work everyday foods that you enjoy into your diet now, so you can maintain weight later. So if you eat chicken, grass, and water now to lose weight, and go back to eating whatever it is you DO enjoy, the weight will come back on, trust me.

Thena81 · June 2012

i measure so i can accurately account for my foods, thats not ridiculous. i do agree that some ppl take it too far but it really is a life change. if you diet to lose and then go back to your old eating habits, most likely you will gain. if your smart about it and keep it going, you should be fine. ive noticed that some of those ppl are out for a quick fix or have EDs... idk but to each is own, dont let someones opinions affect your life, opinions are like *kitten*, everyone has em and they usually stink!!! lol anyhoo, have a good day

Pookylou · June 2012

Okay their are a lot of people, who seem to be very strict and gungho about the way they eat, exercise and ao forth they have very strong opinions, that I personaly don't find realist and i'd feel held hostage and held captive...let me be free lol..

I hear very militant comments like:

This isn't a diet, its a lifestyle.

Exercise isn't necessary for weight loss.

Measure EVERYTHING.

I drink 64 OUNCES of water daily.

and so many other very agressive and unrealistic things.

This is not a lifestyle for me. I don't want a life of eating chicken breast, grass and water.

I exercise so the weight will come off faster and so I can truly live a lifestyle, where I don't have to measure everything and eat and drink stuff I dont like or desire. Yes you can lose weight without exercise but who wants to eat 1000 cals a day? If it was NATURAL most of you wouldn't be here.

I'm just saying I plan on having a healthy diet.. NO ONE CAN EAT WHATEVER THEY WANT. BUT all these unnatural behaviors of measuring and drinking gallons of water and saying I rather not eat than exercise.. seem a bit radical to me...

Just as observation. Do what's best for you. I just had to vent

I see the word diet as a negative thing and a lifestyle change as positive, I still eat everything I did before, just less/healthier versions. I weight everything to keep my portion control in check, and learn what a proper portion is! Before I'd be eating for 2!
If all you are eating is chicken, grass and water you'll put all the weight back on once you stop.....!

LoraF83 · June 2012

Okay their are a lot of people, who seem to be very strict and gungho about the way they eat, exercise and ao forth they have very strong opinions, that I personaly don't find realist and i'd feel held hostage and held captive...let me be free lol..

I hear very militant comments like:

This isn't a diet, its a lifestyle.

Exercise isn't necessary for weight loss.

Measure EVERYTHING.

I drink 64 OUNCES of water daily.

and so many other very agressive and unrealistic things.

This is not a lifestyle for me. I don't want a life of eating chicken breast, grass and water.

I exercise so the weight will come off faster and so I can truly live a lifestyle, where I don't have to measure everything and eat and drink stuff I dont like or desire. Yes you can lose weight without exercise but who wants to eat 1000 cals a day? If it was NATURAL most of you wouldn't be here.

I'm just saying I plan on having a healthy diet.. NO ONE CAN EAT WHATEVER THEY WANT. BUT all these unnatural behaviors of measuring and drinking gallons of water and saying I rather not eat than exercise.. seem a bit radical to me...

Just as observation. Do what's best for you. I just had to vent

You are correct that people need to do what's best for them, but I think you are missing the point.

This is a lifestyle for me.....I say that and it does include eating pizza and donuts sometimes. But more often than not, it means eating healthy (no grass though! lol!). It means measuring everything. Because that's what will work for me for the rest of my life. I will never be able to disregard my attention towards food. That's not militant, that's being realistic. Sorry if it bothers you that I am planning on living like that, but that's what is best for me.

montana_girl · June 2012

For me, all the stuff you listed, is stuff I'm willing to do for the rest of my life. But that's just me...

I would rather weigh and measure my food, exercise 6 days a week, drink my water, and track my calories if that means I get to stay at a healthy weight for me.

As for eating chicken breast, grass, and water everyday? Ummm... no.... that's not for me either! LOL I have found a happy (and healthy) balance of nutritious foods and the occasional indulgence.

Does my plan work for everyone? Nope. But it does work me and that's all that matters. :happy:

Find your balance and live a happy, healthy life! :flowerforyou:

mrsvatitagain · June 2012

I agree with much of what you said, only it is a lifestyle. I can never go back to fast food every day and some of the other old lifestyle habits I had that held me hostage as my waistline grew bigger.

Now that being said, I do not eat chicken every day etc and my eating could be cleaner as they say but it works for me. I have cut out nothing, just reduced portions. I still eat sweets and carbs, especially BREAD! If you look at my diary which is open you might think wow NO WAY, I know I do sometimes. I have found an exercise that i LOVE (ZUMBA), so it doesnt feel like I have to do it, but I will have to exercise for the rest of my life as part of the plan to keep the weight off.

I think the FACT is you cannot eat the way you were eating ever again and expect to see results or maintain the results. I think thats just a no brainer...hence why its a lifestyle change and choice. I choose to not go back to old habits. That's just me.

Now if I went on a DIET, I would probably be much further along in my weightloss, but I woudl not be happy, I'd be bored with the limited food choices and frankly I like it this way......

aproc · June 2012

I do believe the first one about it being a lifestlye. If somebody wouldn't be able to continue with what they are eating now, then why use that way to lose weight? I think of it as a lifesytle because even when losing weight, I eat the stuff I like and just make sure most of it is healthy. It's something I can stick to during maintenance or bulking as well by just upping the calories with the same foods. But sticking to a certain type of food just for weightloss....seems like asking for trouble when you start eating another way after losing the weight. Just my opinion.

yoovie · June 2012

im so confused

Jacole18 · June 2012

I don't feel like a hostage....wait am I???? LOL
I actually enjoy counting cals and measuring my food...it keeps me accountable!
To me, this IS a lifestyle change....I had to change my entire life and my mindset in order to succeed!
Good luck with your goals.

BrettPGH · June 2012

im so confused

I'm with you.

So are you saying you're on a temporary diet that you plan to end as soon as you hit your goal weight? Sorry but from the sound of things that's what you're saying...

usmcmp · June 2012

I have to agree with a few others. If you are thinking you'll eat temporarily well then forget all that when you stop you'll end up back here trying to lose the weight again. It really is a lifestyle change. Sure you don't have to eat bland 24/7, but start learning healthy habits you can live with forever or you'll be more likely to gain it back.

yoovie · June 2012

im so confused

I'm with you.

So are you saying you're on a temporary diet that you plan to end as soon as you hit your goal weight? Sorry but from the sound of things that's what you're saying...

She doesnt want to change her life, only her diet - BUT she wants a lifestyle full of healthy food and something else but not as a lifestyle cause its too militant to go that far, but she only wants to do this for a little while, so she can get the results she wants? but not in a way she can sustain... because that would be a lifestyle... i quit

patchesgizmo · June 2012

I think you are getting hung up on verbiage. I used to drink a 20oz bottle of pop every morning. Now I steep an herbal tea bag in hot water for a few minutes then add ice and cold water to it for my iced tea and I eat my breakfast. I am currently measuring everything so I get the idea of a realistic portion size is. I have a 34oz mug at my desk that I fill at least twice a day with ice and water flavored with an herbal tea bag (I count this as my water).

My goal is to get my pre-diabetes under control so I don't have to do meds and to eat more healthy. In the process I will hopefully lose weight.

Teresa

Psychoanalytic · June 2012

im so confused

I'm with you.

So are you saying you're on a temporary diet that you plan to end as soon as you hit your goal weight? Sorry but from the sound of things that's what you're saying...

That's exactly how I read this post as well.
*Shrugs* Just means OP will end up putting themselves back into the same position they were in at the start.

shaycat · June 2012

This IS my new lifestyle. Yes I started out on a diet, I use to workout just to burn a bunch of calories to lose weight faster, but now I workout everyday and love it. I workout to shape my body.
I use to eat only low calorie food to not go over my goal. Now I enjoy eating healthy and putting good foods in my body. I have been at my goal weight for over a year now. I enjoy sweets and drinks still.
If you feel like a hostage and dont change your lifestyle you will lose the weight, and gain it right back.

Kelly_Runs_NC · June 2012

I agree with the last 10 or fifteen of you. It is a lifestyle change for me too. I enjoy the measuring and counting. I feel better than I ever have in my whol elife. I look it too. If not for the lifestyle changes, measuring, exercising etc..I'd still be 50 lbs overweight and miserable.

If you want it, you have to work for it.

Jennyisbusy · June 2012

Do what you want to do!

I hear very militant comments like:

This isn't a diet, its a lifestyle.

Exercise isn't necessary for weight loss.

Measure EVERYTHING.

I drink 64 OUNCES of water daily.

and so many other very agressive and unrealistic things.

I say these things but it is because I refuse to "DIET" in an unhealthy way that I cannot sustain forever. It's not a diet. Sure you can lose weight without exercise, but who wants to be floppy flabby? I don't exercise to lose weight I do it to be strong and fit, and look better! I measure most stuff so that I can log it accurately (otherwise what's the point of being HERE. I do drink a gallon of water a day but it has to do with my kidneys and living in the south more than weight loss - but I can say that it saves a lot of empty calories cause who wants a soda when you are water logged?

To me you sound like you want to work really hard and lose weight fast, then go back to "normal."
Good luck, and see you next round.

melsinct · June 2012

I do what works for me. I respect the fact that what works for me may not work for someone else. I have lost 30 pounds and have maintained that loss for 4 months. I still measure and weigh food sometimes. I always drink a lot of water, both pre-MFP and post-weight loss. I never called this a diet as diets are what people do to lose weight, then they revert back to their old ways, destined to "diet" yet again later down the road.

I do not feel like I am held hostage. Quite the contrary, actually. I have reached my goal and am staying right at my goal. I feel more free than I have ever been!

tmt2003 · June 2012

I have been on so many diets I cannot even tell you. I have lost and gained it all back and then some once I stop dieting (more like give up). For the first time in my life I "get" it. It may be corny or hard to understand when people say it is a lifestyle change but IT IS. Like pp said, I will NEVER go back to that lifestyle that supported my 250+ pounds. which included fast food 3+ times a week and double servings of high fat foods at everymeal, not to mention the late night runs for ice cream after the kids are in bed. My lifestyle now is to be mindful of what I eat, make healthy choices and to be active which includes taking walks and bike rides with my kids. I do make room for my favorite foods like pizza and ice cream and yes sometimes I even go crazy and eat half a bag of doritos but those are the excpetions not my norm anymore. I know that I will be able to continue this lifestyle once I reach goal and yes I do plan to still continue with my exercise, maybe less but I will still have regular exercise incorperated into my everyday life.

Teresa

steph1278 · June 2012

I don't feel like a hostage now. I am not perfect nor do I strive to be. I believe in moderation not deprivation. Will I measure and count everything for the rest of my life? Maybe, maybe not. But I have learned balance and I actually enjoy exercise now. I love how it makes me feel. It is more than losing weight. I have gained confidence, and am generally a happier person.

MaybeAMonkey · June 2012

For those of you who don't get the "lifestyle thing" I think of it this way ... in college I ate Wendy's burgers and chicken every.single.day. My "lifestyle" was eating fast food, which is HORRIBLE for my body. The only exercise I got was walking from my car to class, and from my class to my car, etc. This lifestyle could have resulted in morbid obesity at a young age, a heart attack in my mid-30's (I have a friend who had this exact scenario), and a shortened lifespan. But I didn't want that for my future.

Now, my new "lifestyle" focuses on eating at home more, eating cleaner, etc. but I didn't eliminate anything. My philosophy is that most things are ok in moderation. My lifestyle changes included reducing the amount of crap I eat (but again, not eliminating those treats) and eating healthier and exercising regularly so that I can continue to be active well into my old age. I don't want to be one of those old ladies who can't even get out of a chair or go to the bathroom without help, I want to be like my fiancé's great aunt who is still traveling the world and hiking up pyramids well into her late 80's/early 90's.

This is very much a lifestyle change for me personally. I know I won't be counting calories forever, but I needed to take this step so I could get a real understanding of what I was doing to my body. My goal is to get to a healthier weight and a healthier activity level and then stop counting calories, but sticking to the healthier habits I have developed. MFP is a tool to achieve those goals, but I don't think of MFP as a permanent fixture in my life.

I hope this helps you guys get an understanding of what people may mean when they say this isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change.

Brandicaloriecountess · June 2012

Well, I don't drink 64 oz of water, and I don't live on chicken and grass. So for me, I don't think much will change after I lose my last 10 pounds. I may cut back a day or two on my workouts,but then I may not because I also truly enjoy them.

Will you be held hostage at your final goal?

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