My dieting thoughts and experiences

**Gene_** · 08-29-2009, 08:27 PM

Today marks exactly one year since I started my diet. Some of you might be able to relate to some of my experiences and others might find a helpful hint. #1 After your meal if you are still hungry, drink as much water as you can hold and in about half an hour your brain will tell you that you are full. #2 You will have weeks where you won't lose a single ounce. Don't get discouraged and stop dieting

. It is only a plateau, the next week you might lose five pounds.

#3 You will go on binges. You will have a day where you are so hungry you can't stand it, and eat everything in the refrigerator and kitchen cupboards.

Afterwords when you realize that you just consumed more calories in just ONE day then you have in the last two weeks combined, you will be angry, upset, depressed, and hate yourself. Just go back on your diet the next day and all will be fine.#4 After losing a lot of weight, some people will tell you look great. Others are afraid to say anything to you because they think you might be sick or dying of cancer #5 Some of your fat friends might desert you. Standing next to skinny You, makes them look even MORE fat. #6 If you lose 1/3 of your whole body weight like I did, you will have loose skin hanging on your neck, arms, and stomach, and the only job you can land is "Lizard Man" at the carnival ( All kidding aside, I do have a problem with this). #7 Save your money. You will have to buy a whole new wardrobe. Good luck to all of you and stick with it.

**Tucker** · 08-29-2009, 10:04 PM

Congratulations on your amazing weight loss!! I have been struggling with between 20 and 30 pounds for the past few years...your post is very motivating!!

**Gene_** · 08-30-2009, 08:46 PM

Thanks, Tucker

It will make a BIG difference when you hit your goal. For me just being able to go up a flight of stairs with out my heart racing, my knees aching, and gasping for breath, is rewarding enough.

**dweck** · 08-31-2009, 09:25 AM

You are inspirational. Congrats on the milestone, Gene.

I have read that if you can maintain a weight loss for three years, you're set; your body has fully adjusted its metabolism to your current level, and your brain has caught up with the loss (in other words, you've stopped "seeing" yourself as heavy).

That 3-yr milestone for me is July 2010. I still struggle, funny enough, with body image.

Some of your fat friends might desert you.

They may also dessert you!!!! LOL

**joflake** · 08-31-2009, 09:29 AM

Congratulations Gene! That's awesome. I like #1. I think portion control is the hardest thing. We're so used to eating super sized everything, when we eat a "normal" portion, we think we're not getting enough. I'm going to try the water after I eat to fill myself up. Thanks!

**Retriever Mama** · 08-31-2009, 10:24 AM

Congratulations Gene! It is so hard when you finally can't stand the sight of yourself or the pile of clothes that don't fit you anymore. I am just now starting a new diet/excercise regime and love reading about your success!

**MidwestGirl** · 08-31-2009, 10:50 AM

That is awesome!!!

I hope to post a similar post in a year!!!!!

**Gene_** · 09-01-2009, 01:40 PM

Just want to add that you don't HAVE to exercise to lose weight. Shortly after I started my diet my job hours changed and I had no time to do any kind of exercise and I still lost over 80 pounds in less than a year. All you have to do is burn more calories then you eat. Exercise will help burn more calories, but is not a requirement for weight loss.

**amazongold** · 09-09-2009, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by dweck

I have read that if you can maintain a weight loss for three years, you're set; your body has fully adjusted its metabolism to your current level, and your brain has caught up with the loss (in other words, you've stopped "seeing" yourself as heavy).

My problem is that I don't see myself as heavy! I still get a slight shock when I catch an unexpected glimpse of myself, or see a picture. Inside, I am still the same, slim woman I was before this weight gain.

If only I could look like I feel, life would be awesome!

**joflake** · 09-09-2009, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by amazongold

My problem is that I don't see myself as heavy! I still get a slight shock when I catch an unexpected glimpse of myself, or see a picture. Inside, I am still the same, slim woman I was before this weight gain.

If only I could look like I feel, life would be awesome!

You know, that's very interesting and says a lot for your self-esteem, I think. I know I am very healthy even though I'm about 20 pounds over weight. I have a good self image even looking in the mirror. When I get shocked is when I see a photo somebody took of me. I'm like, holy crap, am I really that big? I don't feel it.