I can be successful, for a short period of time on so many different kinds of weight loss programs, too numerous to name! So many people are resorting to surgery to end their obesity, but I don't want to do that! So, I keep starting weight-loss programs (on the last one I lost a quick 10 lbs, then went on vacation and gained most of it back!) but can't seem to stick with anything. Any advise?

Maybe the problem is you are focusing on "weight loss programs" and not on making a life change. In order to be truly successful (and keep the weight off), you have to make a change to your whole life. Your eating, committment to regular exercise, and just a whole change of attitude and mindset.

Stick around these forums and you'll start to see it. And along the way you'll get advice, support and friendship. You can do this, and you're not alone.

Stop dieting.



Start realizing that when we change how we eat food to lose weight... we can never go back. If we go back to what we used to eat, then we'll go back to the weight we used to be. This isn't something we can do temporarily, or only until some of the weight is gone.

Were any of these programs something you could see doing long-term? If not, check out Diet Central. These are plans that other members are using on 3FC not only to lose weight... but that they're following for the rest of their lives in order to keep the weight off.

In order to stick with a plan, it first has to be a plan that fits your life and your needs. Find that first. (Not quite as easy as it sounds.) Then work on your commitment.

You can do this! Just have a look around all of 3FC. Plenty of people are here losing weight. And a whole section for the maintainers. Post wherever you're comfortable.

Best of success!

you've got some great advice. I know for me personally it's rung very true. I made changes I can stick with. If I had lost this weight through a temporary diet change I'd have gained most of it back already!

journalling your food for a week is a good start. Just keep track of what you eat. dont change your habits just yet. It's a good reality check. I count calories, but there a lot of people here who have been successful with other approaches.

all the best! (and come back often.. find a sub forum that you can relate to and develop a support network!!)

I hear you Roni, I do the same thing, I am here to start over again we are going to have to take the advice of Carinna, who shows a great loss in his pictures, keep it going Carinna and Faerie you made a statement, stop dieting, that is what I do, I never thought of loosing weight as a "Life Change" even though I have read it over and over..thanks, wish us luck..

I am hoping this time it will be different for me too. I have realized that I still thought of a diet as something I had to do for a while, and then I get to stop doing it..which is how I ended up going from 10 pounds to lose about twenty years ago, to 100 pounds starting last year.

I decided that I REFUSE to think of it as a "diet", but as someone said, a lifestyle change. I had to change my eating habits permanently. I am looking at it as a health improvement issue. If you visit my blog Fifty by Fifty you can read about "three books that changed my life" or something like that. Everyone I have told about them that actually got them and read them said they made a powerful impression on them and totally changed the way they eat.

I journal what I eat, I weigh or measure what I eat, I go to TOPS every week, I come here. If I want to eat something that really isn't "in my plan" I have to plan for it and think about my overall intake for the day. I work at it every day...and am realizing I will have to work at it every day for the rest of my life..which I hope will get longer. I try to take notice of the improvement in my mood, the reduction in in my knees and hips, the fact that my pants are a bit looser, that eating the way I do now I am NEVER hungry. I am enjoying learning new recipes and learning to cook in a healthful but delicious manner. I am trying to learn to love exercise and believe it or not...I am starting to really if not enjoy it, be proud of myself that I did it! I am realizing that I am just FURIOUS with myself for letting myself live as a miserable, unhappy, fat person for the last twenty years.

I have also had to realize that it took me years to get to 100 plus pounds overweight and I am NOT going to get it off in a few weeks. I just try to be happy for small victories, to enjoy my life, to enjoy my improving health.

If you can get out of the "diet" mentality and into the "I want to be healthy" mentality, that is a huge step. I wish you the best of luck!

Thanks for the welcome, advise, and encouragement! Although I've been successful loseing weight previously, I never made a life-style change regarding my bad eating habits. So, I'm here, need to lose over 100lbs, and am going to check out Diet Central, and take into my mind & heart your successes, advice and support.
Thanks again!

LoseitRoni

LoseitRoni! You'll get a lot of support and encouragement here to help you lose weight, as you can see already. It really helps to clear your kitchen of all temptations and only have healthy foods around. Keeping a journal of everything you eat each day is a good idea, too. Try making up a few days worth of menus for each meal you eat, then make sure you have all the ingredients on hand. If you know exactly what you're going to eat ahead of time, it helps immensely. Good luck to you, and we look forward to hearing from you often.

The other thing if you change your mindset that its a lifestyle change is that a timescale for weightloss doesn't really matter if you're in this for a lifetime. Many people give up when the initial high weightloss stalls. They tell themselves 'its not worth it' and return to their old eating habits with inevitable consequences. Set yourself goals to measure progress, by all means, but don't worry if it takes you 6 months, 12 months, 2 years does itif you've got a lifetime of healthy eating.

Kitty

Hi! The title of your post grabbed me. I think the first time I posted here I was feeling similarly. And I still am!!! It is so hard. But I come here, and look at everyone's weight tracker, and get inspired. So many people here are actually losing weight, in a healthful way. Each time I come here I walk away with new advice, and new attitude. And even though all I've lost so far is 5 pounds, I haven't gained it back! And that's new for me. And I know I can do it.

The support here is amazing. Keep coming back, we want to know how you are doing. Good luck!!

You've received great advice already.

For me the day came where it all clicked. Diets don't work, I had to change my life permanently. I'm on my 5th month now and feel that this change is finally feeling "normal" to me.

It takes time and it's not always easy. There will be days maybe weeks that you fall off course, but that's ok! The key is to get back on course and learn from the bumps you hit on the journey.

Good luck!

I've even lost over 100lbs, only to gain it back over the following year or two. This time is going to be different. What's going to make it different is the support I have from the people in my life.

Last time, I had only one really strong supporter in my weightloss ambitions. I lost that relationship and went into a tailspin, weightwise. This time, I'm getting everyone I can in on it - my mom, my hubby, my friends, and gratefully, the folks here on 3FC.

That's the only suggestion I can add to the other really good ones posted here - get genuine support from everyone you can, people who will not worry about risking offense to ask how your efforts are going, who will celibrate with you when you achieve every small success and encourage you and help you seek the solutions to overcome whatever challenges you face.

good luck,
Tera