Anonymous
12/01/2022 10:45
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
Anonymous wrote:It doesn't have to be miserable. Good habits beget more good habits (and vice versa). I think the biggest favor you can do for yourself is to take it slow, manage your expectations, be optimistic, and be kind to yourself. Weight loss isn't easy for everyone! (My body holds onto weight much more easily than I can lose it.)
The biggest thing for me, historically, when it comes to losing or maintaining weight is finding exercise *I enjoy.* I would try running or weightlifting but they just weren't for me: I've always had a much better time getting into my groove with gentler modalities such as dance, yoga, and walking. If you like it, you will do it.
I would encourage you also to not think of foods as being "good" or "bad." It is helpful for me to observe how foods make me feel and function rather than putting them in these buckets. Limiting portion sizes and, yes, sometimes eliminating certain food groups can be very helpful.
Slow and steady wins the race
This is good advice. I have lost ten lbs twice and both times it happened over a period of eight months.
Anonymous
12/01/2022 10:42
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
Are you tracking consistency? Like how many days out of the month you stick to your diet?
So often people cut back some days of the week and over eat other because they feel deprived. So in the end they feel like they are restricting a lot when in actuality they are being <70 % consistent. So it feels hard while still not getting results. To really see results you need to be 80-90% consistent.
I like calorie counting vs cutting out food groups because it feel less restrictive and you can still enjoy all the foods you enjoy in moderation. But again you need to pick a calorie range and stick to it at least 80% and preferably 90% of the time. a good range is goal weight x 10-goal weight x 12. You will lose more slowly at the higher end of the range but feel less restricted and are thus more likely to stick to it.
So often people cut back some days of the week and over eat other because they feel deprived. So in the end they feel like they are restricting a lot when in actuality they are being <70 % consistent. So it feels hard while still not getting results. To really see results you need to be 80-90% consistent.
I like calorie counting vs cutting out food groups because it feel less restrictive and you can still enjoy all the foods you enjoy in moderation. But again you need to pick a calorie range and stick to it at least 80% and preferably 90% of the time. a good range is goal weight x 10-goal weight x 12. You will lose more slowly at the higher end of the range but feel less restricted and are thus more likely to stick to it.
Anonymous
12/01/2022 10:39
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
It doesn't have to be miserable. Good habits beget more good habits (and vice versa). I think the biggest favor you can do for yourself is to take it slow, manage your expectations, be optimistic, and be kind to yourself. Weight loss isn't easy for everyone! (My body holds onto weight much more easily than I can lose it.)
The biggest thing for me, historically, when it comes to losing or maintaining weight is finding exercise *I enjoy.* I would try running or weightlifting but they just weren't for me: I've always had a much better time getting into my groove with gentler modalities such as dance, yoga, and walking. If you like it, you will do it.
I would encourage you also to not think of foods as being "good" or "bad." It is helpful for me to observe how foods make me feel and function rather than putting them in these buckets. Limiting portion sizes and, yes, sometimes eliminating certain food groups can be very helpful.
Slow and steady wins the race
The biggest thing for me, historically, when it comes to losing or maintaining weight is finding exercise *I enjoy.* I would try running or weightlifting but they just weren't for me: I've always had a much better time getting into my groove with gentler modalities such as dance, yoga, and walking. If you like it, you will do it.
I would encourage you also to not think of foods as being "good" or "bad." It is helpful for me to observe how foods make me feel and function rather than putting them in these buckets. Limiting portion sizes and, yes, sometimes eliminating certain food groups can be very helpful.
Slow and steady wins the race
Anonymous
12/01/2022 10:31
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
Anonymous wrote:OP, what is your goal? Are you trying to be skinny and fierce or are you just trying to get to a healthy BMI.
If you are not naturally skinny and fierce it is miserable to get that way. As others have said, to get to a healthy BMI, you can likely do this with some change in habits and not too much hunger.
OP here: I just want to get to a normal/healthy BMI (I'm not naturally thin). I'm 5'5 and have been fluctuating between 170 and 165 but can never seem to get below that (since quitting smoking and having a baby, who is now nearly 2 years old). I feel like I've already done the basic habit changes (ie cutting out alcohol, snacks and junk food, smaller portion sizes) and was just feeling down this morning looking at some of what I consider to be more extreme things I might have to do to actually lose the weight. The other PP's comment on noom was encouraging. I can see myself getting into the stats aspect of it. It was just daunting when I entered my food that most was in the red and yellow category - I thought I was OK eating the "bad food" (ie breads/pasta, butter), but just in small quantities, but apparently not.
Anonymous
12/01/2022 10:15
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
OP, what is your goal? Are you trying to be skinny and fierce or are you just trying to get to a healthy BMI.
If you are not naturally skinny and fierce it is miserable to get that way. As others have said, to get to a healthy BMI, you can likely do this with some change in habits and not too much hunger.
If you are not naturally skinny and fierce it is miserable to get that way. As others have said, to get to a healthy BMI, you can likely do this with some change in habits and not too much hunger.
Anonymous
12/01/2022 10:11
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
OP you shouldn't be miserable. You may have made too many huge changes instead of a few small ones.
I lost 30lbs this year and I'm keeping it off. I looked at what I was eating (and drinking) and cut out the crap, chose things I enjoyed eating and stuck to roughly 1200-1500 calories per day for the first 3 months without any feelings of hunger.
Now that it's cold I am feeling more hungry (because I'm thinner) but I am not gaining weight because I'm keeping to the eating schedule I've established
I lost 30lbs this year and I'm keeping it off. I looked at what I was eating (and drinking) and cut out the crap, chose things I enjoyed eating and stuck to roughly 1200-1500 calories per day for the first 3 months without any feelings of hunger.
Now that it's cold I am feeling more hungry (because I'm thinner) but I am not gaining weight because I'm keeping to the eating schedule I've established
Anonymous
12/01/2022 09:47
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
I lost a lot of weight on Noom. I found that after the first two weeks, it got a lot easier. I saw results around this time, started losing 1-2 pounds a week. At this point, it became fun, I was obsessing with what I ate, and the charts of my weight. Get the Happy Scale app, get a Fitbit or step counter, and see how you do! It takes a while to build these new habits but don't forget they aren't forever! You can eat cookies in moderation! I love dessert!
Anonymous
12/01/2022 09:39
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
Calorie compensation. Your body and brain are fighting you every step of the way.
Anonymous
12/01/2022 09:38
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
Anonymous wrote:Starting to get more serious about trying to lose 20+ pounds and it just seems so daunting and depressing. I've already given up drinking, something I used to enjoy, with no impact on my weight. I have been cutting down on the size and frequency of my meals to the point that I'm hungry most of the time (no results after about 2 months of this either), and now I'm looking more closely at noom and other actual diet food recommendations and it just seems depressing that they seem to suggest that I not only have to be hungry all the time but also eat unenjoyable food. Is being miserable just the trade off for losing weight? I know they say the most successful weight loss is when you don't feel like you're depriving yourself but I'm at the point where it seems I need extreme deprivation if I want to see any results.
How tall are you and how much do you weigh?
Anonymous
12/01/2022 09:23
Subject: Re:Does weight loss have to be miserable?
Up your lean protein so you are not hungry. Seriously, the bulk of your calories should be protein. Non fat greek yogurt, boneless skinless chicken, lean ground turkey or beef, tofu, etc. Add a bunch of veggies to your protein and that should keep you full.
Anonymous
12/01/2022 09:18
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
Anonymous wrote:Starting to get more serious about trying to lose 20+ pounds and it just seems so daunting and depressing. I've already given up drinking, something I used to enjoy, with no impact on my weight. I have been cutting down on the size and frequency of my meals to the point that I'm hungry most of the time (no results after about 2 months of this either), and now I'm looking more closely at noom and other actual diet food recommendations and it just seems depressing that they seem to suggest that I not only have to be hungry all the time but also eat unenjoyable food. Is being miserable just the trade off for losing weight? I know they say the most successful weight loss is when you don't feel like you're depriving yourself but I'm at the point where it seems I need extreme deprivation if I want to see any results.
You can let go of this because there’s no such thing as successful weight loss. They haven’t figured out how to do that.
I have to go full monk to lose weight. No going out, no exciting/hard work projects. It takes up 80% of my capacity.
Anonymous
12/01/2022 09:15
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
I tend to approach fat loss with ramping up my activity so that I do not have to go to super low calories. That means lifting 4-5 times a week and about 15k steps a day. Not other cardio as I find it too stressful on the body when cutting. Then there are some strategies to implement to avoid being too hungry. I can live on very few calories in the morning, but I have a tendency to binge in the evening, so I save a significant amount of calories for the evening. High volume meals high in protein and fiber also help with feeling more full. You definitely need to cut down on junk food to not feel hungry all the time, but no you do not need to be completely miserable.
Anonymous
12/01/2022 09:13
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
Anonymous wrote:It’s not miserable for me. I just cut out junk and manage my feelings with exercise and meditation instead of eating. But this makes me go from a BMI of 26 to a BMI of 23, and my family is full of small people. It’s not like I’m fighting genetics or trying to get really, really thin.
I think that when you get to the point where to lose weight you have to be miserable, that’s your body telling you that you’re at your set point and you’re fine.
I’ll add that I’m 39 and this has only happened a few times in my life. I’m not constantly going back and forth. Also worth noting I haven’t hit menopause, I’m not on a SSRI, and I have no health issues that impact weight.
Anonymous
12/01/2022 09:09
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
It’s not miserable for me. I just cut out junk and manage my feelings with exercise and meditation instead of eating. But this makes me go from a BMI of 26 to a BMI of 23, and my family is full of small people. It’s not like I’m fighting genetics or trying to get really, really thin.
I think that when you get to the point where to lose weight you have to be miserable, that’s your body telling you that you’re at your set point and you’re fine.
I think that when you get to the point where to lose weight you have to be miserable, that’s your body telling you that you’re at your set point and you’re fine.
Anonymous
12/01/2022 09:06
Subject: Does weight loss have to be miserable?
Starting to get more serious about trying to lose 20+ pounds and it just seems so daunting and depressing. I've already given up drinking, something I used to enjoy, with no impact on my weight. I have been cutting down on the size and frequency of my meals to the point that I'm hungry most of the time (no results after about 2 months of this either), and now I'm looking more closely at noom and other actual diet food recommendations and it just seems depressing that they seem to suggest that I not only have to be hungry all the time but also eat unenjoyable food. Is being miserable just the trade off for losing weight? I know they say the most successful weight loss is when you don't feel like you're depriving yourself but I'm at the point where it seems I need extreme deprivation if I want to see any results.