Um, hello? Have the people at your job ever watched the Biggest Loser? I don't necessarily think that everyone can workout a million hours a day and lose 100 plus lbs in a few months, but it is possible for the average Josephine to lose 2lbs a week for 52 weeks or lets say 50 weeks (52-Christmas week and Thanksgiving week). It is true however, that some people just have a slower metabolism or other issues that prevent them from reaching the 2lb a week goal.
I have learned that to be successful one needs to disregard naysayers when it comes to weight loss. Even if someone doesn't think you can lose 100 lbs in a year, they need to keep their opinion to themself and just offer encouragement and support. Good Luck to you on journey!
"There's no way you can do it, it's impossible" is just a euphemism for "There's no way I could do it", do not let them get you down! It's totally doable.
My thoughts exactly!! You totally can, it will just take a lot of commitment!
Now I remember why I like it here so much. Your comments have totally changed my mood. Thanks for all the encouragement and words of wisdom. It feels good to know that others know how I feel and I'm not doing this alone. Maybe that comment was made to my advantage. Although it was upsetting at first, I now think maybe it wasn't intentinal or at least I hope it wasn't meant to be hurtful. Either way it has give me the courage to stay on plan and keep pushing forward.
Absolutely 100% possible. I think it took me just over a year.
Agree with those who say you have to be 100% committed. I stayed on plan every single day, no cheats. I recorded every bite. Sometimes when I was out and I wasn't sure how many calories were in things I skipped eating entirely and waited until I got home. My schedule did not allow me to workout 2 hours daily, but I put in 30-45 minutes at least 5 x a week.
Just so you know-- most people's weight loss is not linear. My first fifty came off at a steady clip, but the second fifty came off in fits and starts-- sometimes I'd stay 100% on plan for 3 full weeks before I saw a change-- and that was tough.
In any case-- most people with 100lbs to lose can lose the first fifty or so FASTER than two pounds a week-- and that is such an AMAZING feeling that it helps you keep going for the long haul.
Totally possible! I started at the end of May last year, and I've got 22 more to go in the next 4 months. I would love 100 lb loss by then, but if it takes 5 or 6 months instead, oh well! The most important thing to me is that in these 8 months, I have made unbelievable strides in overhauling my TERRIBLE eating habits, have done some confronting of my issues with using food as a coping mechanism, and just overall have made huge strides in living healthy. I still have lots and lots of work to do, but time's going to pass anyway, and mine is going to pass getting me closer to my goals of being a healthy and fit person! No timelines for me!
It's definitely not impossible. I lost 80 lbs in 2010. Probably would have lost more had I decided not to take a maintenance "break" over the summer. (I dropped my first 50 lbs really quick and decided to give my body some time to adjust to all this craziness, lol)...the last 30 have come off a little slower, but I'm OK with that.
As others have said, just don't get too fixated on a number because as much as we wish they were, our bodies are not predictable machines. But you CAN and WILL lose weight this year if you stick to your plan!
Last edited by NorthernExposure; 01-18-2011 at 11:57 AM.
I think this is just the inspiration I need right now. Starting January 2nd, I had 102 lbs to lose. By Christmas I really want to see 100 lbs gone. I know it will be hard, probably harder after I lose the first 50. But, after that initial weight is gone, I can start doing more intense exercise, running, cycling. Right now, I am limited to easier, more basic exercise that just get me moving.
I started weight watchers and I find that I am really making the effort to do it this time. I have no desire to overeat, I stay within my points, I drink lots of water. This site is so inspiring. I love to see that others have done it, so why can’t I.
I know I can lose 100 lbs this year. Positive affirmations always help too.
You're gonna love this. So since my original post this morning, one of my co workers came over and apoligized for the negative comments. Even better yet, the person that made the original comment just walked back in the office with a bag of McDonald's. I am so glad that I didn't let this ruin my day. I am more motivated then ever right now. My eating has been good today and I can't wait to get home to exercise.
You absolutely *can*! There are tons of stories on here of people who have been able to do just that. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people. But that is okay because though my weight loss has been (at times painfully) slow, I know that I have made (and continue) to make changes that are maintainable for a lifetime. And, whenever I reach goal lifetime maintance is what is going to matter. Not the amount of time it took me to get there.
You're gonna love this. So since my original post this morning, one of my co workers came over and apoligized for the negative comments. Even better yet, the person that made the original comment just walked back in the office with a bag of McDonald's. I am so glad that I didn't let this ruin my day. I am more motivated then ever right now. My eating has been good today and I can't wait to get home to exercise.
I'm delighted to hear that!
And kudos to your co-worker who apologized for her/his negativity. It takes guts to acknowledge a mistake and tender an apology for it. Maybe you and he/she can wind up supporting one another as you lose.
As for setting your expectations too high - Will you be discouraged if you start falling below your goal? If you start losing 5 pounds a month, will you be so discouraged that you quit? Setting goals and expectations are great as long as they motivate you.
It's that way in my case, setting weight/date goal is just asking for trouble for me because there'll be a time where I'm falling behind 'target' and feel discouraged. But yeah, 100 lbs in a year can totally be done!
I did it in 9 1/2 months (my one year total was 122 pounds). But I won't kid you, it was tough. Losing 100 pounds in a year is definitely doable but -- in my experience -- you have to be totally focused and committed. I didn't have "treats" or "cheats" or "off plan meals", ate squeaky clean, kept my calories low, and did two hours of exercise every day (cardio and weights).
Of course, not everyone can or wants to put that level of effort into weight loss and that's fine because it's not a race. Losing 100 pounds is a great achievement for anyone and in the end, it doesn't matter if it takes a year or four years. What matters is keeping it off!!
I love what Meg said. What she said is exactly true. It CAN be done but you really, really have to work HARD at it.
If you look at my little icon thingy at the side, you'll notice when I joined and how much I've lost. I've taken MUCH longer than a year...and I'm still not there. That's because I was (am) unwilling to make weight loss my entire life, KWIM? I still have my wine, I still have chocolate or chips or whatever. I "only" exercise an hour a day.
So many of you are so right. I think that I spend way to much time focusing on a certain number by a certain time frame. This is probably why I have yet to suceed. Several times I have lost 30, 40, 50 even as much as 80lbs only to give up and gain it back.
I think what I need to learn is patience. Thanks again for all the advice.
Thanks for all the encouragement and words of wisdom. It feels good to know that others know how I feel and I'm not doing this alone. Maybe that comment was made to my advantage. Although it was upsetting at first, I now think maybe it wasn't intentinal or at least I hope it wasn't meant to be hurtful. Either way it has give me the courage to stay on plan and keep pushing forward.
