Yeah, I think about the statistics, but I also think of a bigger scarier statistic, which is that there's a 100% chance that everyone here is going to die one day.

Even knowing that, still most of us carry on with our lives & make plans for the future & keep functioning, because what other choice do we have? To stay in bed & do nothing, because one day it will all end?

Same goes with being at a healthy weight. Maybe I will end up fat again. But I want to enjoy my life while I'm relatively thin & healthy & I will do all I can to stay that way. Just like I will enjoy my life while I'm still alive.

Our culture is kind of funny if you think about it.

With the advancement of technology, we've taken a good portion of the "work" out of many things to make our lives easier (ie. housework, our jobs, travel), and then, many of us pay to go to a gym to walk or bicycle nowhere or lift heavy things just for the sake of lifting heavy things to "workout" and essentially get it all back. Has anyone noticed that? I guess we CAN'T have our cake and eat it too after all.

Either way, work is work. I think I must be kidding myself that someday it won't seem like "work" to maintain a healthy weight, when obviously, it will be. Forever and ever.

Races seem like a fun thing for people who like running. I hate running. I wish I didn't, but I do. In elementary school P.E., I can still remember the dread of running THE mile, which is a pretty small feat, but it was huge and impossible for me at the time. My legs felt like they were doused in acid. I was always dead last, embarrassed and taunted. Everyone was always finished and standing on the sideline, waiting and looking at me. And now I every time I go for a walk (much less a jog) in public, I still have it in my head that everyone is watching me. Even though they're probably not and could care less.

LOL I think I need therapy for all my issues if I'm going to be successful. No joke.

But a lot of you guys are right... focusing on negative thoughts, like dismal statistics, is probably not a great thing to do.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Refusing to work at weight loss because of the regain statistics is a lot like deciding to stop brushing your teeth and going to the dentist because of cavity and tooth loss statistics (Most people get cavities and adult toothloss at some point in their life, regardless of how well they take care of their teeth). Why brush your teeth or go to the dentist, if you're just going to get cavities and lose teeth anyway? Why bother?

"Races seem like a fun thing for people who like running. I hate running. I wish I didn't, but I do. In elementary school P.E., I can still remember the dread of running THE mile, which is a pretty small feat, but it was huge and impossible for me at the time. My legs felt like they were doused in acid. I was always dead last, embarrassed and taunted. Everyone was always finished and standing on the sideline, waiting and looking at me. And now I every time I go for a walk (much less a jog) in public, I still have it in my head that everyone is watching me. Even though they're probably not and could care less."

Yep I could have written this too. Which is exactly WHY I wanted to learn to run. I wanted to try to learn to like it. Don't get me wrong I still have a love hate relationship with it hehe.

The important thing is to find an activity that YOU like... and that you give different ones a chance. Being active is a big part of most successful maintainers lives.

Some very wise words above about the really big committment it takes to lose and then maintain one's goal weight. The price for being at your goal weight is constant vigilance about your eating and exercise habits. Like many good things in life, there is a price, but it's one I am willing to pay.