In the 'worst fears' thread I saw the dreaded 5% statistic tossed around a few times. It is said that only 5% of us make it and keep it off. (this is also the rate of success for alcoholics, who use AA or do not use AA, oddly enough)

Anyhow...I just want to say, yes, that is scary. If you add up all of us and then say oh, sorry, 95% of you will not make it, it seems so pointless.

I think we need to look at it differently. The number of us here, is small compared to the number of people the world over who are changing their way of eating. I think we can all be a part of that 5%. It's like saying, 5% of the internet will lose weight and keep it off. THAT CAN BE US!

Also, it's a very scary statistic, and all we can do is say that is what has been done in the past, but all of us here today, struggling, overcoming, struggling some more can change that statistic, It's not carved in stone and with every new person that say, joins the national weight control registry, ( http://www.nwcr.ws/
and every one of us that loses and maintains, we can change studies in the future, this is the kind of thing I think they mean when they say, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Think positive everyone! We can do this. It's okay...we got this one.

Come on guys! Who here is going to dedicate themselves to being part of that 5%? For increasing that %age so that other people in the future don't have to face such an overwhelmingly pathetic statistic? Will you?

I will.

From my perspective (albeit somewhat sad looking at the truth in it), I've been overweight since childhood and attempted to lose weight at least 20 times since then...sometimes I'd lose a couple pounds, sometimes more, but I'd always gain it back... I know it's not the same in terms of strict mathematics, but I've added to that 95% number plenty of times, so this time, I'm making sure to join the 5% team I'm constantly tweaking my plan to make sure that I find something I can live with for the rest of my life, and I'm making sure to find support and a sense of accountability by using this website frequently... I'm beyond optimistic that I will succeed, that I will be part of that 5%, and ten million thanks (especially today) to those of you on these boards that encourage and inspire


Besides, being part of the majority is boring most of the time

I am capable of exceptional things when I set my mind to them, and I am definitely capable of being in the 5%. I'm in charge of it, and I'm GOING to do it.

I like that, spixiet! I've been part of the 95% before too, and this time I will be part of the 5%. I am never going to go back. I repeat this to myself multiple times daily right now - I just read the book Rethinking thin, which if you haven't read it, is interesting but depressing as it harps on this very thing. Anyhow knowing the statistics can be helpful, as we know that we will have to work this every day, but it is so worth it!!

This is the attitude of success! I'm in the 5% team too! And I couldn't have done it without 3fc. I am forever grateful for all of the chickies (and roosters too) here for their eternal support. I'm in it for the long haul.

We definitely need a group called The Five Percenters!!!!!

I've been a 95-er twice, and I do not want to renew my membership there.

The great thing about that 5% statistic, is that it's pretty much irrelevant. Really. Yup. Because it's not left up to luck or chance. It's left up to CHOICE. It's not left up to medicine or science. It's left up to us. Totally and completely. It's 100% within our control. We get to choose which group we're part of.

For me the key to being in that 5% group is - desire. Keep that desire to be your absolute best STRONG. Keep it strong and then you are of course willing to do what's necessary to keep the weight off.

Doesn't hurt to get some really fabulous habits in place; and to get this way of eating so down pat that it's totally automatic. Doesn't hurt to have a wonderful toolbox full of *tricks* to get oneself back on plan for the inevitable times that you stray. Doesn't hurt to remember the pain and utter misery of being in my case, super morbidly obese. Doesn't hurt to LOVE this lifestyle and become passionate about it. Doesn't hurt to think that living any other way is ludicrous.

Oh and it doesn't hurt one bit to have a gorgeous wardrobe that you don't ever want to outgrow.

Absolutely we can do this!!
We've all been in that 95%, the difference, and I think it's more evident in a support community like this, is we are now the people that don't diet, we change our lives.
Im going to be in that 5% because I know I am doing this for the rest of my life, not just a month here and there.
We can and will proove that statistic wrong!!

Agreed!

I grow more and more confident every day about being in that 5%. I use that information as "knowledge is power". I'm glad to have that information in my pocket so I am not going into this blind. And I've set up my entire weight loss plan as the very plan that will carry me into maintenance. It's easy, it's routine, it's sustainable, it's nothing I can't do for the rest of my life. I practice daily weighing, something I'm quite certain will be valuable in maintenance. I practice setting commitment goals, again, something that will be key for me in maintenance.

Nice thread topic! I have little fear that I WILL be part of that 5%. Goodness knows I used to be equally as sure I'd be part of the 95% and I certainly fulfilled that one.

statistics can be manipulated to say lots of things. I think its more productive to concentrate on the info and things that help me reach my goals. Ten J. Jones's in Wherever USA who aren't that excited or motivated about changing their lifestyles permanently can cancel out several who are, lose weight and keep it off.

Our numbers are very similar. Great job on the 72lbs lost!

I'm in my 5% now.

I figure I've been dieting since I was 12 y.o. and making 2 or 3 attempts per year - all of them unsuccessful. But that was me in the 95% for 40 some years. As of March 2010, I am in the 5%. This is MY 5% now. This 96th time will be my time of to lose it and keep it off and of all the previous attempts this will be successful.

Starting today.. I WILL be part of that 5%!!

I'm very glad to be in such great company