msharrington315 Member

Well put. At the end of the day, I can tell you that my MIND was the biggest roadblock in my inability to lose weight. Until I accepted that I had to make a lifestyle change, not go on a diet, I would not be able to have sustainable weight loss. This was my personal journey and it may not be the same for everyone.

I actually heard him say it in one of his stand up routines... It rang so true in my world! This conflicting information is one of the big reasons I do not always follow what people, including so-called experts, tell me to do. I listen, but I have to find the answers myself. People are fallible. What we once thought to be…

I'll be honest, in my weight loss journey I spent very little time analyzing all the science behind things and tried to stay with what my body needs / craves naturally. I have a general idea of what is good / bad for me, but for the most part, if I choose to eat something and it is "bad" for me, I deal with the…

Again, I think the real answer is complex. The US Centers for Disease control has listed obesity as an epidemic... http://www.cdc.gov/cdctv/diseaseandconditions/lifestyle/obesity-epidemic.html "This video explains the many factors that have contributed to the obesity epidemic, and showcases several community initiatives…

I think so too, but the poster was assuming they eat "plenty of food". Probably just enough to sustain life...

True, they may not have access to these types of foods. They probably eat to satiation, not to excess.

I think the "real reason" we are obese is a complex issue - food quality, emotional eating, advertising, portion distortion / control, metabolism, activity level / less active lifestyles... to name a few.

I work with a number of people from Asia, which historically has had the healthiest and thinnest people, who are telling me that he obesity rate is increasing there as well now that western foods are being introduced. The "McDonald's-syndrome"...

Here's another thought- I am often fascinated by the number of experts who have great weight loss advice, but have never been obese. You can study it all you want, but try living it your whole life. I can tell you from real experience that true weight loss takes a commitment to a healthier lifestyle, and not one of…

When I was over 400 pounds I ate almost double the calories I do now. In order to sustain that weight, I needed to take in a volume of food to support it. To lose it, I gradually made small changes to my intake over time. I didn't change a lot about what I ate (as I already ate basically the right foods), but how much I…

Add me. I had a 200+ lb natural weight loss and been maintaining since last year.

It is definitely doable with a lot of hard work and dedication. I lost 200+ lbs in 11 months all naturally through modifying what I ate over time and exercise. Feel free to add me. The hardest part for people is not so much knowing what to do, it is how you get your mind in a place to do it.

Thanks! Hard work and dedication pay off. Now I am working to build muscle and tone. Anyone can feel free to add me as a friend. Sharing experiences definitely helps!

You can friend me as well. I have had a lot of success using this tool... 200+ lbs loss in 11 months.

Hmm... that is the opposite for me... I love dark women... ;-)

Understood, I had braces as a teen, so I am ever grateful my parents helped fix my overbite. :smiley:

Workout at home too, so no "gym" bag... though I carry a backpack when I hike. That has snacks, water pouch, first aid kit, knife, pepper spray, waterproof cell pouch, hat and gloves (depending on time of year), emergency poncho, flashlight, emergency whistle, printed map of the route (easier to read than on phone), bug…

LOL. I had to laugh about the teeth remark... it's amazing to me how much bad teeth do make a difference in attractiveness.

Thanks! Hard work and persistence pays off!... over 200 lbs in 11 months.

I wish I had the guts back then. It's unbelievable now how much my personality changed now that I don't give a *kitten* what people think about my looks. For a while I had people telling me "Don't get too skinny!"... To which I would ask them why they never told me to not get too fat. I've gotten into heated arguments with…

I can see that now. My self-esteem was so low at the time I was use to people making comments. I even heard someone say "look at how fat he is..." as I was walking by one day. Or calling me "big guy" over and over at the gym. Anyways, all of that is over now. :)

Yeah, but at the time it actually gave me some hope. I was feeling really bad about myself and was losing my will to live. But I get what you mean.

I honestly noticed it more when I was 400+ pounds, people would say "you're really handsome, you should lose some weight...". So I did and now I wonder if people are intimidated...

I started at 403 (exactly the opposite of you!)... so, trust me, it can happen... Sad truth about today's world. I have lost over 200 pounds completely natural and have been keeping it off for almost half a year so far. It is not easy, but there are a lot of great supports here in MFP... Feel free to friend me... that goes…

Some people have internal focus and others have external focus...

Then we agree one something! BTW, are you a ZZ Top fan? I ask because your name is one of their albums... my dad loved them and played their old stuff all the time when I was growing up.... he passed away 5 years ago and I still listen to them too. Tres Hombres is my favorite album...

Makes sense. My biggest problem was me as well, but I needed to understand how I got there in order to make changes, and not just temporary ones (like going on a diet), but ones which would be sustainable. You're right, blaming others or not, you would still have the problem. Which is why you didn't use it as a crutch or…

It's good we are all sharing our opinions and experiences. Whether we agree with one another or not, it is good knowledge. I had to learn to be open-minded through this whole experience or I would never had been able to make the changes that I did.

I agree that being in an obese state can lead to dangerous health conditions. I should know, as I progressed from morbid obesity into super obesity I was gaining a list of co-morbities: pre-diabetic, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, risk of heart attack, gastric reflux... I think what Jztime is referring to is the…

just over 2 Bloodhounds... or more than half of my old self...