...know that other people are like me.
...figure out WHY certain things work (eating a little more daily) and why other things don't work (overly restricting, then bingeing)
...pick up great whole foods ideas for menu planning
...feel connected to others who are going through similar things
...learn what "maintenance" means (maintaining your eating and exercise routine!)
...quit overwhelming my husband with endless weight/food/body image type chatter
helped me to realize that there is maintenance and it is possible. Helped me to see that there are others with health problems that struggle with weight loss too. Helped me to have a sounding board during times of high stress and life frustrations. Helped restore sanity to my family, as I don't talk about my weight with them much anymore. Helped me to realize that small goals are great. NSV's are fantastic. That I'm not alone in this battle.
that this journey is not a diet, but a lifestyle change
that I will need to be mindful of what I eat and do for the rest of my life or I'll end up back where I began (or worse)
that there are some wonderful people out there who are doing the same thing that I am or who have done it before and have great advice for anyone willing to say "help"
that it can be fun to lose weight--just come to 3FC!
To "speak" to people who know exactly what I'm going through and that's something I've never, ever had. To gain knowledge from some pretty smart people. To have a place to share my victories and my failures, both equally as important to me By giving me a place to go when I want to eat mindlessly By letting me know that it really, truly is possible to lose all this weight and keep it off, just by looking around the board. To have the opportunity to help others, or so I'd like to think.
...Find support from people who are struggling the same as me.
...Realize the mistakes of past "diets" and how overly strict diets cause us to fail.
...Learn how to forgive myself for days~weeks of poor choices.
...refind my motivation day after day!
3FC has helped me......
* Not feel so stupid for not knowing the answers to questions about diet and nutrition
* Given me the "I CAN" attitude (It's driving my DH nuts, but it's FOR ME AND MY LIFE
* Given me some awesome recipes (Spinach/Mushroom Medley in SB)
* Let me know that I DON'T have to follow a specific eating plan. There are plenty on here who don't and have had wonderful success.
* understand that it's a LIFESTYLE CHANGE and NOT A DIET
* find a diet plan that worked for me
* be sucessful
* prepare for the rest of my life
* that I need exercise even if I don't like it
* find people I can relate to and know how I feel
* there is always someone here to encourage me and help me thru hard times
I do have to say that I really believe I would not have been sucessful without 3fc (and and fit day) - if I had of tried to do this on my own I would of failed. I have leanred so much by coming here - I maybe dont post or visit as much as I did when I started, but I still come here at least 3 times a day and rely heavly on information I have gathered from here.
Stay accountable! Thanks to the planning thread--I know I would have eaten a lot more Halloween candy if I hadn't wanted so badly to be able to post that I didn't eat any.
Given me some great new recipes (thanks, Charles, for the oatmeal pancake recipe!)
Helped me understand that what I eat is as important as how many calories.
Given me the push I need to change my exercise routine or make adjustments to my diet.
Reassured me that I'm not the only one who slips up or makes mistakes.
Inspired me to stick with my plan and to try to do better.
3FC has helped me ....
To "speak" to people who know exactly what I'm going through and that's something I've never, ever had.
