What I've Realized...

I have really been doing some research and paying attention to things that will help me change my life and have found many things very helpful and motivational. I wanted to take a few seconds and let you guys know what I've realized. Don't let yourself feel down because it's not easy, there are many ways to make losing weight so very rewarding.

I'm not a nutritionalist and don't have a degree but these are some things that help keep me going.

First, I didn't get to be this weight overnight so I can't expect to lose it all overnight. I set myself small goals (I never realized the importance of this before) and when I meet those goals it helps. I keep in the back of my mind what my ultimate goal is but focus each day/week on smaller, short term, attainable goals.

To give you a few examples: Each morning I set an amount of time that I want to walk/run and I don't let myself rest until I meet that goal (30 minutes, 45 minutes, or an hour). I reward myself after I meet the goal but not with food. I allow myself a little time for video games or just reading a book. This has been very fulfilling and keeping in mind that I'm rewarding myself helps me to remember that I have to change my life.

Second, I can't think of what I'm doing as a diet because that's not what it is. I'm eating healthier and I'm eating many of the foods that I love. I've just found a new way to prepare several dishes and I actually pay attention to how much I'm putting in my mouth. This is a lifestyle change and I want to carry these behaviors with me forever. Don't let yourself get discouraged, part of the fun is trying to find new ways to enjoy the things that you love while still being healthy.

Third, CC has been amazing and I want everyone to know that. Reading through the forums and seeing how many supportive people are on here is huge lift in confidence. So many others are going through the same thing that I am, I know I'm not alone in this and I can't tell you how much that realization helps.

Lastly, (and I'll stop ranting with this) I have friends who don't need to lose weight and want me to go out with them to have a good time. We start with dinner and maybe a few drinks. Many people trying to lose weight are uncomfortable doing this because you don't want to eat "Diet Food" when you're out with friends. Well, I have news for you, to be healthy you don't need diet food, you need to eat healthier food yes but many of your favorite dishes are prepared on a healthy menu in many restaurants. If you don't order from the healthy menu then just pay attention to your portions. You don't have to clear your plate just because it's there.

These are several of the realizations that I've come to recently and I think they are really helping to keep me motivated. I hope this helps someone who needs a little boost.

Aaron, this is all so awesome. This is stuff that I've learned (or am trying to learn) but could never put it so succinctly or eloquently. Very nicely written, and good insights.

Your last point is one I go round in circles with people (and myself) a lot. I was just reading a post by one of my girl friends on here, yesterday. She was mentioning that she's basically become a hermit and just never goes out, anymore. She's lost a whole bunch of weight (She was at 300+ lbs and is now in the 160's...) and I'm so proud of her, but what's it going to be like for her when she tries to start socializing, etc. again, since she hasn't been practicing ways she can do so all this time? 

I want this, but I'm NOT willing to give up my social life... That seems counter-productive to me, on some levels, anyway... We've got to learn to work real-life situations (going out with friends, going out for drinks) etc. INTO our healthier lifestyles if those things are part of our life. We can't give up everything just for the sake of losing weight, or how are we going to manage to maintain our weight when we finally reach our goals? 

So I might be losing a lot slower then some of my friends, but I still go out and enjoy the things I want to have on the occasions I get to have them... And I don't feel guilty about it. I'm not racing anyone, anyway, right?

So as you say, everything in moderation. 

I love how you put this.  I have one other problem that some of you out there might have also.  Each time I lose weight it isn't long before I am pregnant LOL.  I know have 6 kids and am starting to lose weight again.  I have lost 4 pounds so far.  It is going at half a pound a week and I guess that is fine for me since I put it on slow.  Good luck to all of you!

Something I realized is that it takes a while for the food you swallow to get to your belly. I read in some forwarded email that the time it takes for your food to get to your stomach is 7 seconds, I frankly don't care if that is true or not, But I'm going to believe it either way because it has helped me. Think about it, if you are putting three bites of food in your mouth in 7 seconds your stomach can't tell how much you have eaten. So my new plan has been to wait for my food to get to it's destination. This helps me be full on less. I'm not mindlessly eating mass amounts of food very quickly. It has helped a lot.

I also try to mimic my skinny friends eating habits, they all eat kids meals. Its ridiculous. But it apparently works.

I agree with you 100% Aaron!

In my opinion faddy 'diets' dont work-it has to be a lifestyle change. Balance & moderation is the way forward!

Wishing you all the best (sounds like you have a great outlook already!)

Hi great advice. I'm starting over after losing 18.8 pounds and down 4 pant sizes. Have maintained but would like to get to my goal weight of 145-150. My big problem is getting started again. I feel great and everyone says that i look good, but i know i need to lose ~35 lbs.It's just the motivation issue right now especially about food. have started working out again and will give it a week then start on my eating habits. wish me luck

Boy are you right on the money Aaron.    I've been putting on weight now for about the last ten years.   About 5 lbs for every year.  Got married for the second time ten years ago.   I'm very fat & happy.    Now it's time to get back on track.   Like you said it didn't come on overnight so it's not leaving overnight. I've recently joined WW and I have noticed that I am making better food choices.  Dining out is still a challenge.   Love it all.   One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is enjoy cocktails, conversation & dinner with my hubby.   That's pretty much our social life.  Also with the holidays coming I'm in panic mode.  Got over Halloween with no problem but Thanksgiving & Christmas is a feeding frenzy.   I'm hoping with help from this web site I can get through them without doing damage.   Thanks for such a great post.   It makes sense.