Did you get hooked into yet, another weight loss miracle?
I have seen so many things in the last few weeks about all the hype and lose weight and get fit and blah blah blah… your health?
What are you doing about it? Now is a great time to start as you have the whole year to work at it! Is it for you? Are you ready? Why do you think that you need to “lose weight” or “get fit”?
Are you really ready for it? Or is it just “well, I wish I could”..
I have been looking at diets for years… and years and years… and guess what? They never worked for me! Cause as you likely know, they don’t stick! Easy enough to lose the weight and then return to normal eating… and guess what the weight creeps back on…
I have been doing some research about a few programs that are out there and some reading and it is really quite bizarre that there are so many programs. Everyone of us will be different and have success with a program we can find and make lifestyle changes with. But it really is scary what people are doing to make it easy and quick..
Do you think that those extra 15, 20, 30 or even 50 pounds got there “quickly”? Not likely. They creeped on over time ( maybe more quickly than you want to admit) but they creeped on. So likely they aren’t going to drop off over night…
Do you pick up habits that are lasting for yourself or do you pick up habits that you find really, really tough and only the sheer power of your will gets you through the time you need to lose a few pounds.
Have you tried things that say quick fix in hopes that it will work for you? Do you try a few pills that will do the miraculous work for you? Do you try outrageous things that you find way too strict to follow?
Have you found out what all is involved with the idea of being a ‘new’ you once you have a whole new look? Many of us fail to ‘see’ who we will be in the new body and don’t prepare for the reactions that we get. Can you look down at your body and imagine the new size and feel really good about it?
Do you have a realistic idea of what you want to look like, happening? Or do you see someone else’s body in your mind? It can be a huge task, the losing weight ( shedding fat) thing.
Are you really ready to make the changes that you need to make?
Do you know that if you don’t exercise while you lose weight that you lose more muscle than if you did exercise while you lose weight.
How educated are you in what you need to do and what you will experience through the process?
How committed are you? Or not?
What I don’t understand is that so many people don’t learn about what is best for their health they just do something that comes along that they have heard of. Would you buy a house without doing your homework? Would you go on a vacation without doing some homework? Would you buy a car on impulse cause your friend told you it was a good one?
Are you a sceptic and don’t want to hear the info cause you have heard it all before and you know that it won’t work for you? Or that someone who has your best interest/health in mind might make a few dollars… You would rather give it to the guy in the store who doesn’t even know you.
What’s your take on the industry and why there are so many programs available and why it is such a big industry?
What are the top 3 things that you have done to get to or stay at your ideal weight?
Please don’t “push” your product here. Share what you have done in your lifestyle and habits that have gotten you to where you want to go. (Sometimes a product is part of the process, but if that product was to disappear, what would you do then?)
Looking forward to hearing your success stories!
Hey Holly
I am now back to an exercise program and eating right, which means no processed food.
One of my problems is that mid week I start to slide because I work hard and when I come home I do not feel like cooking.
I am thinking about buying my prepared meals through Nutrisystem.
What do you think?
Peter
Peter Fuller MBA recently posted..If You Had To Retire In 2012 What Would Your Life Be Like?
I would not do the prepackaged food.. Full of sodium whether you have an issue or not.. too much of anything isn’t good for you. I also recommend that you do lots of veggies and lean protein. The carbs you should avoid are things like rice, bread,potatoes and pasta and cereals ( don’t care what they say about Cheerios they aren’t good for you)! Veggies and fruit are also carbs but a lo glycemic good choice- so enjoy those! Have you heard of quinoa? Great choice to replace rice. If you have to have bread, get a sprouted grain bread… and nothing with sugar… Perhaps you could prepare some meals at the beginning of the week so that the rest of the week you simply heat up ‘Peter Fuller’ prepacked made with love gourmet meals when you don’t feel like cooking! Thanks so much for stopping by, Peter!
Boy do I know what you are talking about Holly! I was like you, always trying the next best thing. But it all boils down to making a commitment and sticking to it. There is nothing else you can do because there is no magic program, food or diet. I changed my routine where I add exercise every day with weekends off. But on the weekends I will have my whey protein shakes, vegis and fruit. Yes, I must admit I fall off the wagon every now and then, but I feel like I am finally in control more so now than ever in my life.
Lynn Brown recently posted..A Facebook Mistake You May Not Realize You Are Making
Congrats Lynn!! Feeling in control really is a great feeling! I do believe that eating the ‘right’ carbohydrates and the right portions is very important… 2 things that our world doesn’t always market!! Thanks for sharing!
Great post, Holly! You are so right about the need to focus on long term things that last. My foot and heel seem to be a lot better lately, so I started running again today. I realize that I am not going to be in top racing form, but I still planning on doing a 5K race in April to raise money to fight hunger, although I am not going to be disappointed based on my time.
Steve Nicholas recently posted..Not a Two-Dimensional Figure
Good to hear that your heel is feeling better, Steve. Good luck with the run! As tough as it may be, focus on the finish without reoccurring injury rather than disappointment with time as you have mentioned!
You know Holly the big reason the weight loss programs that people start and then stop are usually something that is extreme. I have had a weight problem most of my life and I have tried them all. What I am trying to do is to plan, plan,plan. I always bring food with me and don’t take the chance that I will get hungry. I try to eat every 4 hours to keep my blood sugar level. Now I need to start walking again like I use to. I sure my do will enjoy doing that.
Joyce Edwards recently posted..911: My Adventure Into the Wonderful World of Western Medicine
Great for you Joyce. I find that 4 hours is too long. I need to eat about every 3 hours, if I wait 4 I am usually too hungry and make poorer choices!! Please for your sake get into some exercise! Planning is essential! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Holly, you’re right. I know that I’ve tried all kinds of products but always return to the same weight. I think I’ve gained a bit more since then too but we really do need to exercise. I’ve always exercised in the past and played a lot of sports but with all I’m involved in lately I like so many fail to find the time because we think we’re doing it for nothing. But yes you have some great advice. Doing the right things together is what I need to do. I’ll start again. Maybe I can get into a routine or something. I need to get back into shape so that I can actually enjoy it everyday again. I think that was part of the reason why I stopped. I was out of shape and only did it once in a while. Thanks for the great tips and what to concentrate on.
Have a great day!
Rick Salas
Rick salas recently posted..How To Write a Good Article | Write a Good Article Easily
Hi Rick! just remember the longer you wait, the tougher it will be.. Motivate yourself to get it going! My biggest motivator is that fact that I don’t want to “not be able” when I get to a certain older age! I want to be mobile and actively mobile at that. I see way too many people who have trouble moving due to excess weight and lack of exercise habits!! Keep focuisng on how good you feel when you are active!
Hi Holly, you made some great points here! The top three things I do to maintain a healthy weight is: eat unprocessed whole foods, exercise on a regular basis, and take digestive enzymes to help me digest my food better. These things have really helped me stay at my idea weight and I don’t do dieting. Dieting does not work for me. Thanks for sharing.
shelley alexander recently posted..Meyer Lemon Flax Hummus
Great for you Shelly!! More of the population needs to take on your habits!!
You made lots of good points. When I was younger I used to try all kinds of crazy diets. I ended up messing up my metabolism. It is definitely best to be balanced and cut down on things like starchy carbs, sugar and processed foods.
Melodie Kantner recently posted..Love What You Do Or Do Something Else
Crazy diets, like you say!! Good choices you make now, Melodie with cutting down on starchy carbs, sugar and processed foods!! Although it can be so tough to do, cutting out those 3 evils you mention would be even better!!
Gosh, that woman trying to get into her jeans is so ME!
Anna recently posted..Do you let your dentist treat a tooth unless it hurts?
Too funny Anna! Is it really or is it your perspective?
Hey Holly!
I love this post! You know me, I was born with skinny genes so weight isn’t the issue but the need to choose food wisly and exercise is what we all need to do! I have a good friend who has spent her adult life obese. She is now doing exactly what you have said here, changing her life-style eating properly and excersising. I know she had some emotional issues needed to be resolved before she was able to do it. I’m very happy for her that she has healed to this point. Everyday is a celebration.
I haven’t looked over your entire blog (which is beautiful by the way) but do you have any posts about food adictions? That was my problem, I was adicted to sugar!
Linda
Linda G. Cox @multiple Sclerosis recently posted..ZeekRewards Place Ads and Earn Money!
Great to hear from you Linda!! Sugar is an addicting food!! I haven’t any posts yet, but thanks for the great topic!! Congrats to your friend! It is always so exciting to hear that someone has succeeded with their eating and weight issues!
Hi Holly,
I easily cut calories that way but get top nutritional value meal.
Great post… For me the main thing was reducing sugar intake. Also I walk the dogs everyday so I started to alternate 5 minutes running, 5minutes walking…ect..It get’s my heart pumping and that feels great! The third thing I do is replace one meal with my protein shake (no soy) cause it gets me bloated…
P.S…Come post in women of facebook syndicate…I’d love to see you there
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..Being Spontaneous Saying Yes More
Great way to get in the exercise!! Reducing sugar is certainly helpful and healthful!! Now we just need to get you pumping some weights, Nathalie!!
Good questions Holly!
I never was one to do diets. I think I can count in one hand how many times I went on one. Because I’ve had fitness conscious family members, I always saw it from a lifestyle perspective and health mindset and not really a “miracle: let’s get quick loss of pounds” way.
Ultimately what was ingrained in my mind was that hard work by way of eating healthy foods and simply sweating the excess weight were the most effective ways.
Now if you were to ask me about workout methods…that’s a totally different fitness beast all together
I like to see how other people exercise, types of exercise, method, # of reps, duration of workout, style & personality of trainer… those things really get me PUMPED up!
I get inspired by it and it serves as my own research and ‘scientific support’ for what doesn’t work or works for me and my body type.
~Miriam
Miriam Buhr recently posted..Just Starting Out? Learn How To Command Authority Like The Pros
If only we were all with the same awesome upbringing you had with food and exercise!! I am sure you know how fortunate you were to have had the life experience.. I may take you up on the challenge in terms of the exercise! IT is always fun to find out about new ideas and methods that are or aren’t working. Thanks for stopping my Miriam!
I have been trying to lose weight from the last one year. What my nutritionist suggests is to have one happy meal per week but on other days stick to the diet that she has suggested me. Brisk walking for 20 minutes in morning and evening and avoiding oily and junk food has helped me lose 3 kilos in two months.
Nicolas Cailot recently posted..Nombre de Dunbar : ce que notre cerveau de primate implique pour Facebook et la politique
Good to hear you have had some success, Nicolas! Can I make a suggestion? Please change your “diet” to food choices/plan or something. Usually when we talk diet, it ends up being something we come off of!! Just a little tip that may or may not be an issue for you. Thanks for sharing!
Getting up early to Zumba, cut back on deserts, and overall smaller portions have helped me maintain my weight loss and continue to lose more.
Monyelle recently posted..How Do You Deal With Writer’s Block?
Yeah, Zumba!!! Great for you Monyelle!! Glad to hear you have found your fix!!
Hi Holly,
Hmm, let’s see….I lost 30 lbs. on Weight Watchers, gained it all back. Lost 40 lbs. on Atkins, gained it all back. Lost some weight on Body for Life, gained it all back.
I believe there is NO OTHER WAY than the old simple words…..eat healthy, and get a moderate amount of excercise. That’s it. No secrets. No miracle pills.
Now the trick is to actually DO it. LOL
Keep up the great blog posts!
Tom Burt
Tom Burt recently posted..What is Turmeric?
Yes, Tom! The trick is to do it, and keep doing it!! No miracle pills, just making it happen! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Holly,
My guess is that many of us have tried every imaginable diet, weight loss program,
pill, shake, meal replacement, starvation method and exercise gadget on the market
to lose weight and failed. It seems as most people are so gullible that it is easy for all of these new diets to pop up and make lots of money from the vulnerable. I would love to see an end to our discouragement and disappointment. I don’t have many extra pounds to lose but it sure has been difficult trying to lose these same 11 pounds.
Rachel Lavern recently posted..Who is the REAL You?
So true!! I couldn’t have said it better! Finding the right lifestyle choice is so important.. Not the quick fix, crazy methods out there.. Or the ones that make you work you butt off and burn soooooooooo much energy that you have little left for the rest of the day! There certainly are a lot of gadgets, gizmos and food crazes out there! Thanks for sharing, Rachel.
Wow for me Holly what you said about remembering that it took time to put the weight on is the key. We all want to take it off immediately and it’s hard to be patient. For me the important first step was to stop think in terms of ‘diet’ and focus on lifestyle choices.
marquita herald recently posted..Success! Everybody Dreams of it, but What Does it Really Mean?
You hit the nail on the head, Marquita!! It is about lifestyle choices.. No diet lasts!! As they say DIE with a ‘t’. Yup we want the quick fix! Patience and making those changes for a permanent lifestyle is the key!
Aloha Holly!
Oh, I remember those days! I tried those kind of miracles for more than 20 years and I ended up almost 200 lbs, tons of meds, and in very bad health.
In 1995, I was “called” to my solution which allows me to eat what I want to eat, stay healthy, and maintain “biceps”!! Anyway, you know my solution and if my products went away, I honestly can say I probably wouldn’t be typing this post. Mine was a very serious addiction and scary to think about being addicted to food again.
Thank you for allowing us to share.
Much aloha,
Kellie
Kellie Hosaka recently posted..Where Will You Be In 1 Year?
Addicted to food can be a big issue! Glad you found your solution! Just remember girl, you gotta exercise so that those sexy biceps are there for more than looks!! Are you pumpin out those push ups?? LOL
Thank You Holly
For your O so right post on all the junk diets out there, I have tried them all, Even had the meals delivered. Pills don’t work all the time and I found that I was adding things to make the food taste better.
I have lung problems so walking is all I’m able to to at the moment, I use to be fit as a fiddle
Thank You your post was awesome
Sharon
You have had quite the experience, Sharon! Best of luck in getting back to fit as a fiddle ~ is that possible? Are you preparing your own foods and making healthy choices after all your experience?
Like so many of your other commentors, I’ve also been suckered in by the latest ‘miracle’, only to find out (or rather, reaffirm) that there really is no substitute for exercise and healthy eating.
Now that’s not to say you can’t find a product that can HELP …. like a protein shake to make breakfast really powerful, or a fiber pill that helps you feel full even when you’re cutting down the calories … but we are designed to EAT and what we choose to eat is what will make or break our health.
I have to admit, the one part of this equation that I’ve always resisted is Exercise, but having found something I absolutely LOVE (yay for Hot Yoga!), it’s become so much easier to fit regular, pulse-raising, sweat-inducing exercise into my lifestyle.
As usual, Ms Holly, you are the voice of reason, experience and sanity in a world of hype, and we all appreciate it!
Bliss-ings,
the (getting thinner) goddess known as Jacqui
Jacqueline Gates recently posted..2012 Intention ~ Listening to My Inner Voice
Yes there are things that can HELP one out! However, of course, the best is to eat it, or drink it! There are some (not all of course) shakes out there that help out. MOST aren’t meal replacements ~~ protein shakes don’t cut it unless they have the proper amounts of carbohydrates and fats to a make it balanced. When I take my shake with me, it is always, “Is that protein shake?” and of course my response is— “No it is a meal replacement as my body needs carbs, proteins and fats.” I’d rather eat by beans than take a pill, although it may be a great thing to assist so that one doesn’t eat as much- does one get gas with the pills?. LOL
So wonderful to hear that you have “found” your sweat induing exercise. Jacqui!!!
Hi Holly
I guess doing the right thing on a consistent basis is the key to a healthy life.
I remember being able to eat what I wanted because I was so active and now I am officially “old” I have to watch what I eat. So I adopt a balanced approach between exercise and eating healthy food for most of the time .
You provide a great blog and excellent advice.
Best wishes
Pete
pete chapman recently posted..Working Together – Taking The Strain For Each Other
Thanks Pete! I think that when we were younger we got used to be able to eat and eat and eat, and we never slowed down when we stopped growing! It is a bit of work to diminish that appetite from when we were able to eat so much when younger? Don’t you agree?
Do your best to be consistent and eat those healthier choices and exercise.
I’m sick of those loose weight quick programs too. I never had a bad weight problem, I may go over 5 lbs or so, but that is only because I may go on a trip and eat in restaurants or something boxed. I find the secret to keeping a healthy weight is to never eat anything that is boxed and don’t microwave. Eat for energy! Once you get into that habit, watch those pounds roll off. Of course, exercise is a part of it all.
Thanks for this post
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Prosperity Mindset
Great advice!! That boxed stuff will get you every time!! Thanks Donna!
Hi Holly! Weight lose has been always my problem since then… What I do is to eat healthy and never fail to take my 1 hour walking routine. That is the only secret I make to have healthy weight.
Faith03 recently posted..Local search seo Abbeville
It is pretty basic, but it works… eat healhty( and of course not to big of servings!) and taking that 1 hour walk.. I would recommend something that includes weight resistance.. not for the weight loss part of it but to remain strong and able. Great for you to have found what works for you!
I know a lot of people will like this because its very hard to lose weight..Thanks for sharing this post to us..
Sandra recently posted..How to remove tattoo
Losing weight isn’t really easy.. Although it can be.. too many of us want the ‘quick’ results… It is a lifestyle change, not to mention the mind and the thoughts we think have a lot to do with it too!.. Thanks for stopping by, Sandra.
Wow, you’ve got a lot of comments…
I see this problem all the time with my friends and family, always trying to lose weight but only trying the latest diet or fad and never really sticking to it.
I tell them that losing weight long term is only really possible by changing your diet and often lifestyle and make it become part of you rather than just doing a 2 week diet and then going back to old habits again!
I see that problem too.. if only they would see that it is a long term thing!! A little bit at a time will work wonders over the long run. Thanks for stopping by Gavin!
The main problem here is that some people focus on only one aspect of weight loss. However, in reality all factors like diet, exercise and the desire go hand in hand in delivering desired results.
Gwendolyn recently posted..free guitar software
They work hand in hand.. the food intake , the exercise and the desire.. the mind is a strong component of the whole ‘weight loss’ too! Thanks for sharing Gwendolyn.