I have been reading through everything that has been posted and have been thinking about what to post.
Once thing that is very clear, at least to me, is that weight loss is such a personal journey, and there is no such thing as one size fits all (already mentioned I believe).
Whether you use the word commitment or motivation, in my mind (JMHO) it is just semantics anyway. I think what it really boils down to (and I know this has been said many many times) you need to find what works for you, which essentially boils down for me what are the trade offs that I can live with?
For me (and like others) it is a "NO" approach. I wrote it like that for a specific reason. That is me telling myself NO very loudly to the temptations that I get on a daily basis. For many years I have tried the other approach, that moderation is the key. It definately works for some. Me, not so much. I have come to realize that I am sort of an all or nothing kind of gal.
I now realize that I simply can not have that kind of food in my house or where I am easily tempted. I have tried all the other strategies-drink more water, shop when you are full, eat before you go. It just does not work for ME. I have finally reconciled myself to the fact that I need to completely change my mindset if I was going to succeed once and for all.
Once I had that in my mind and faced and accepted it, I found losing the weight this time much easier, especially when I had a goal to work towards. I will never be able to eat like I used to, and let's face it, that is what got me to 268 lbs (and above) before. So you can call it commitment or motivation, lifestyle change, I am not sure. For me (as corny as this sounds
) it was a vision of a new life. How I really wanted to be.
I am starting to love myself again (wince, very corny). I am not avoiding mirrors, I am in love with my body, which is a first for me. I can get a much bigger rush now shopping for clothes and looking in the mirror and not avoiding the camera then I EVER did with food. Maybe I have replaced one addicition with another (possible) but this is an addiction I can live with.
Very thought provoking thread, indeed.