Stay connected on this forum!!! It is a lifesaver!!!.
Okay, maybe my #1 tip would be to stay OP, but this forum is a close second, and a true lifesaver when you just don't think you can do it. If you are struggling, go look at the before and afters, post a gripe/struggle, look through the amazing recipes, etc. Oh, and just tell someone to encourage you. The people on this board are (for the most part.
) incredibly encouraging - even if it is tough love..
I was OP from Nov - March. I lost a total of 52 pounds, and stayed plugged in (even if I wasn't posting, I was reading) to the forum. Over the summer, I disconnected, and gained 5 pounds. I had originally debated adding 10 more pounds to my original goal, but didn't know if I should or not. In the end, I have decided to go back OP, and take off another 15 pounds. Over the first 1 1/2 weeks, I am down 6 of those pounds, and it has been harder than the first 50. I don't know why, but it is really hard this time around..
My saving grace is this forum. You all motivate me, encourage me, and keep me going - without even knowing it. So, thank you! And if you are new to MF, get plugged in to this community. It just may be the key to your success..
That is SO true. And I have to add, don't confuse tough love with unfriendliness. You will get honest responses here from people who care - things that your in-person friends may not have the courage to say to your face..
The best thing about the forum is looking at the tickers. That kept me OP a number of times because you see people who had weight in the same range where you started and actually getting down to skinny little things. There is also people who have successfully maintained and so you know it can be done..
This forum allows most of us a chance to expose negative feelings we've harbored inside for decades. Reading posts and comments from others more often than not produces an "ah ha" momentsome put into words what I only thought about. It's so freeing!.
For me, the 5/1 plan is an answer to prayers. But, that alone wouldn't cut it, I truly need the support of this site. It's like having your own personal counselor, confidant, friend, 24 hours a day..
I so agree with all the comments on this thread. It is so liberating to "chat" with like-minded people. Most of us do not have people in our "real" lives that understand our struggle because they have never traveled our path. Everybody here "gets it"..
This is an invaluable tool. I hope everyone uses it to their advantage..
This is SO true. I have never publicly discussed my weight, even with close friends and family. I have never posted pictures of myself online. This place is most definitely key to success on the plan because everyone here actually understands the hardships and pain being overweight causes and the horrible struggles in trying to lose it..
Well said by everyone ... my best times of success are when I was completely plugged into the forums ... I try to do it on my playbook or ipad so I can be in the same room as my family, otherwise, I am away in the home office and my family will often say "when are you coming back?" ....
Whenever I have an "issue" I def come here to look for solutions...Lots of support and encouragement! I see lots more newbies than folks that began with me in Jan but I am committed to go to my very aggressive goal and am here for the long term! Those that I "meet" along the way may be still here or not. Nevertheless lots of experience and success I can't argue with!.
There is something about being able to be "real" (which sounds so odd since we are all just "virtual", lol) that is freeing. I remember when I first joined, the idea of have a picture in my avatar, with my actual weight on a ticker right below it, was absolutely mortifying. But once I realized that everyone her was literally cheering that ticker down, I was like, "I want in! Cheer my ticker down, too!!!".
In a strange way, posting made me face my reality, and I got to face it among a group of people who understood, but wouldn't let me make up excuses for it. Not to sound too corny, but the first step toward progress is acknowledging where you are..
Oh, and one other thing that has helped me immensely: Reading the "What is your L/G today?" posts. I would get in such a rut, and start feeling deprived, then I read what others are eating and I am like, "I can make THAT. THAT looks delicious!" And suddenly I am free again; free to eat new things that are delicious and healthy. And I mean DELICIOUS!.
332 days ago
Okay, maybe my #1 tip would be to stay OP, but this forum is a close second, and a true lifesaver when you just don't think you can do it. If you are struggling, go look at the before and afters, post a gripe/struggle, look through the amazing recipes, etc. Oh, and just tell someone to encourage you. The people on this board are (for the most part.
) incredibly encouraging - even if it is tough love..
I was OP from Nov - March. I lost a total of 52 pounds, and stayed plugged in (even if I wasn't posting, I was reading) to the forum. Over the summer, I disconnected, and gained 5 pounds. I had originally debated adding 10 more pounds to my original goal, but didn't know if I should or not. In the end, I have decided to go back OP, and take off another 15 pounds. Over the first 1 1/2 weeks, I am down 6 of those pounds, and it has been harder than the first 50. I don't know why, but it is really hard this time around..
My saving grace is this forum. You all motivate me, encourage me, and keep me going - without even knowing it. So, thank you! And if you are new to MF, get plugged in to this community. It just may be the key to your success..
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332 days ago
There is no "comfort food" that can compare with the comfort of sharing your concerns with someone who cares and understands.....
Glenn.
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330 days ago
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322 days ago
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315 days ago
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309 days ago
This forum allows most of us a chance to expose negative feelings we've harbored inside for decades. Reading posts and comments from others more often than not produces an "ah ha" momentsome put into words what I only thought about. It's so freeing!.
For me, the 5/1 plan is an answer to prayers. But, that alone wouldn't cut it, I truly need the support of this site. It's like having your own personal counselor, confidant, friend, 24 hours a day..
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303 days ago
This is an invaluable tool. I hope everyone uses it to their advantage..
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303 days ago
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299 days ago
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296 days ago
Most of the time I am just a reader rather than a poster but this site has helped me more times than people probably know. <3.
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288 days ago
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279 days ago
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275 days ago
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268 days ago
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263 days ago
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263 days ago
There is something about being able to be "real" (which sounds so odd since we are all just "virtual", lol) that is freeing. I remember when I first joined, the idea of have a picture in my avatar, with my actual weight on a ticker right below it, was absolutely mortifying. But once I realized that everyone her was literally cheering that ticker down, I was like, "I want in! Cheer my ticker down, too!!!".
In a strange way, posting made me face my reality, and I got to face it among a group of people who understood, but wouldn't let me make up excuses for it. Not to sound too corny, but the first step toward progress is acknowledging where you are..
Feelin' the love!!!.
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254 days ago
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248 days ago
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240 days ago
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