FitnessTim Member

I empathize. Almost everyone deals with cravings. Most people, regardless of how motivated when starting out, eventually quit and gain back the weight. The secret is in not quitting no matter how many times you fail.

Ask your doctor if they think you should lose weight. It's a touchy subject and some doctors are hesitant to bring it up. Pick up a pair of calipers and measure your body fat yourself. An acceptable body fat percentage should be between 18-25%.

I'm one of the rare cases of someone who actually uses the treadmill they bought. I love it. Turn on the TV or read and zone out. I will admit that it takes an incredible amount of mental fortitude to endure how boring it can be but like anything else the more you do it the easier it gets. I'm not blessed enough to live in…

Personally I don't trust any estimates regarding calories expended during a workout. Usually those estimates don't account for calories that would have been burned at rest. I don't discount it completely but when the weight doesn't go down overcompensating for exercise is the first place I look. I started focusing on my…

Thanks everybody. Phildog raised questions about what caused the gain. There was nothing dramatic or life changing that caused it. Life has actually been pretty good. I did have a period of time where I shifted focus to other goals. I tend to have an all or nothing personality when it comes to accomplishing goals. That's…

Welcome back. I've also recently returned to MFP. I'm determined to stay no matter what life throws at me.

I try to weigh myself everyday, log the number and just forget about it. What a person weighs on a given day is meaningless. It's progress over time that matters most. Think about getting a scale that automatically uploads your weight to the cloud. I have a Fitbit Aria that I use. Sometimes I don't even see the number when…

There are many levels of disability. There are paraplegics who can hit the gym harder than most able-bodied persons. In some cases a disability may contribute to weight loss or weight gain. My father is considered disabled. He has difficulty walking and on his best day can barely hobble around using a cane. About a year…

I won't go so far to say it is a scientific fact. For every general fitness guideline there are bound to be exceptions. However, there are a number of studies that show that people who lose weight tend to gain it back again. Without having controlled studies with tens of thousands of subjects we have to look at the data…

Are you tracking your calorie in/out? What are your goals? Do you want to gain or lose weight? In general, trust the numbers you are tracking not the opinion of some random person.

Losing weight is not a problem for most people. Even the most sedentary and obese person can lose weight. Keeping the weight off is the real challenge and without exercise a person who was once overweight will just gain the weight back again. The National Weight Control Registry has found that 90% of people who have lost…

Whether it is 1 in 1000 or even 1 in 100 the odds are not great for obese or formerly obese people. From all the obese people I know, I get the impression that they are deluding themselves with regards to the amount of effort and focus that is needed to lose weight and keep it off. Most people just don't get it. The…

I wear a Fitbit Zip daily. It's only $60. Unless you are living below the poverty line, money spent on fitness equipment is well worth it if you use it.

For me personally, after I fast, I tend to have the urge to overeat - the cravings are extreme once I start eating again. This effect could vary depending on the individual. I believe someone with experience dealing with this can compensate for that effect and experience a net loss of weight, otherwise there's the risk to…

I've been doing it occasionally. I don't recommend except for those trying to really get lean (below 10% body fat). Even then, it can backfire and cause weight gain. For someone overweight, a simple calorie deficit with exercise is probably the best approach.

When people talk about "motivation" they are usually referring to that fleeting excitement one feels when pursuing their goals. I have learned not to depend on that feeling. I just try to do what I planned to do regardless of how I'm feeling. The days when you workout or stick to your diet when you don't feel like it are…

Alcohol is a terrible drug. It messes with the brain and can have other negative effects on the body. I know people swear by the occasional drink but needing to have a drink everyday is a bit much. I quit drinking years ago and I don't miss it anymore. I don't know for sure what the effects of having the occasional drink…

Great work. What changes did you make to your diet?

What he said. Talk to your doctor.

First thing in the morning, I weigh myself every day but I only care about the trend over time. As part of my ritual, it helps me stay focused. It's easier to remember to do it everyday than just once per week. I understand some people get frustrated when checking their weight daily but isn't it better to learn that weight…

Right. As dammitjanet0161 indicated, beginners may do well enough focusing on just calories. For long term health and fitness, ignoring macros can be risky. It takes no effort to look back at the macros and make an informed decision about how to adjust one's diet. It varies from person to person. Some people don't even…

Being and feeling attractive is a state of mind. Your weight doesn't define you. A 200 pound woman who is strong and committed to improving herself for herself can feel sexier than a 90 woman who starves herself to maintain an image she thinks others want. My wife is currently overweight and was even heavier before. In…

At three weeks you are just getting started. Give yourself time to adapt. Also, what did you mean exactly by " Last week I lost 2lb and this week I've out in 2lb"? Did you gain 4 pounds in one week or just gain back the two pounds you previously lost? My own weight can fluctuate a few pounds in either direction during a…