nlh031
06-01-99, 03:52 PM
The following was in response to Brenda's question on picking a good diet. But I want people to know me, so I'm posting the reply as it's own post in addition to replying under her own thread.
Brenda, the thing that most of us fail to see is that most of us became overweight because of our lack of discipline. I know. I can speak from experience. My top weight was 321 lbs. I now weight 205lbs and feel wonderful. I still want to lose 45 lbs and I know it will be difficult, but I'll do it. I have developed great discipline for watching what I eat and for exercising. I have used the Weight Watchers 1-2-3 Success program off and on throughout the course of my weight loss efforts, but I take the credit for my weight loss. Bottom line is this.... less calories in more calories out (through exercise) and you will lose weight. If you are interested in WW, but don't want to join, you can get the materials without joining. I was too embarassed to go for the materials, so my fiance went for me. We thought you had to be at least 5 lbs overweight to get the stuff, so I made him a huge heavy meal and he wore heavy clothes so he'd weigh more on the scales. They didn't even ask him. He just bought the stuff and brought it to me. I love that story. (He's a great guy.)
So good luck to you. One thing that I do that has kept me into losing weight is to try to be really enmeshed in it. I go to many different websites about health, exercise and weight loss, I buy magazines, etc... I try to learn all about it and really make it a part of my life. I try to live by the Golden Mean--Nothing in Excess. That includes exercise. You can't spend your life exercising or that will cause other problems. Nothing in excess. I think that's a pretty good way to live one's life.
Cheryl, I am so glad that you are also advocating being very involved in whatever weight loss program, or weight loss in general. It's so important for motivation. Motivation is the key. When is discipline highest? When motivation is highest, of course. However, discipline will get you through those situations when everyone and everything is pulling your motivation downward--holidays, special events, stress, anxiety, fear. You can stop doing a negative behavior any time you want.
Discussions of will power are disturbing to me because I think they are presented as you either have it or you don't. No, will power is not an inborn trait. Discipline is knowing what's right and doing it in spite of difficulty. Of course we're going to screw up from time to time. I had a bad night even last night. I woke up in the middle of the night and ate left over chicken and stuffing!!!! Can you believe that? Ack. I felt terrible about it. Still do, but you know what? I stopped myself, and there was only probably a quarter cup of stuffing left (not much there to begin with, actually). Normally, when I was at the 300+ pound range, I would have said, well there's only a little left, I'll eat it, too. Discipline is sorely lacking in this society, and I think that is why it is so respected. This post is entirely too long. If you've made it this far, thank you for reading.
I just wanted to say that no matter what diet you choose, remember, it's not the diet that achieves the goal. IT'S YOU!!!!!!!
And you have to be commended. Anyone who adhere's to losing weight is building and using discipline. Be proud of yourself.
Have a great day, folks.
Affectionately,
Nichole =)
Brenda, the thing that most of us fail to see is that most of us became overweight because of our lack of discipline. I know. I can speak from experience. My top weight was 321 lbs. I now weight 205lbs and feel wonderful. I still want to lose 45 lbs and I know it will be difficult, but I'll do it. I have developed great discipline for watching what I eat and for exercising. I have used the Weight Watchers 1-2-3 Success program off and on throughout the course of my weight loss efforts, but I take the credit for my weight loss. Bottom line is this.... less calories in more calories out (through exercise) and you will lose weight. If you are interested in WW, but don't want to join, you can get the materials without joining. I was too embarassed to go for the materials, so my fiance went for me. We thought you had to be at least 5 lbs overweight to get the stuff, so I made him a huge heavy meal and he wore heavy clothes so he'd weigh more on the scales. They didn't even ask him. He just bought the stuff and brought it to me. I love that story. (He's a great guy.)
So good luck to you. One thing that I do that has kept me into losing weight is to try to be really enmeshed in it. I go to many different websites about health, exercise and weight loss, I buy magazines, etc... I try to learn all about it and really make it a part of my life. I try to live by the Golden Mean--Nothing in Excess. That includes exercise. You can't spend your life exercising or that will cause other problems. Nothing in excess. I think that's a pretty good way to live one's life.
Cheryl, I am so glad that you are also advocating being very involved in whatever weight loss program, or weight loss in general. It's so important for motivation. Motivation is the key. When is discipline highest? When motivation is highest, of course. However, discipline will get you through those situations when everyone and everything is pulling your motivation downward--holidays, special events, stress, anxiety, fear. You can stop doing a negative behavior any time you want.
Discussions of will power are disturbing to me because I think they are presented as you either have it or you don't. No, will power is not an inborn trait. Discipline is knowing what's right and doing it in spite of difficulty. Of course we're going to screw up from time to time. I had a bad night even last night. I woke up in the middle of the night and ate left over chicken and stuffing!!!! Can you believe that? Ack. I felt terrible about it. Still do, but you know what? I stopped myself, and there was only probably a quarter cup of stuffing left (not much there to begin with, actually). Normally, when I was at the 300+ pound range, I would have said, well there's only a little left, I'll eat it, too. Discipline is sorely lacking in this society, and I think that is why it is so respected. This post is entirely too long. If you've made it this far, thank you for reading.
I just wanted to say that no matter what diet you choose, remember, it's not the diet that achieves the goal. IT'S YOU!!!!!!!
And you have to be commended. Anyone who adhere's to losing weight is building and using discipline. Be proud of yourself.
Have a great day, folks.
Affectionately,
Nichole =)