Thread: They're just tools...

I've done it all...low calorie, low fat, low carb, vegetarian and combinations of...weight watchers, jenny craig, nutrisystems...diet pills, herbal promises, and way more fad diets (can we say cabbage soup?) than I really want to admit to. All of them worked...for awhile and then I gained it all back.

Low carb works for some. It did for me...I lost slightly over 100 pounds on Atkins. Low fat, low cal, vegetarian (sort of) worked for me as well. I lost almost another 100 pounds on the Rice Diet (it's actually well balanced and not as faddish as it sounds). However, I went on and off Atkins for a number of years, losing successfully and then putting it right back on when I went back to my old, destructive way of eating...which will happen with any any diet/way of eating. None of the other methods ever worked for me, but I know people who've lost weight so recognize that they work...even the fad diets. We all failed because the tool was not the right one for us or we just didn't use that tool correctly and consistently.

It wasn't until I stopped looking for a magic fix and made peace with the fact that I didn't need a diet...I needed to revamp the entire way I looked at food. I wasn't in this just to lose the weight and then go back to a normal (whatever that is) style of eating. This had to be a permanent life change and it was going to take a long time, patience and perseverance. The method I chose (WW, Jenny Craig, low carb, etc.) was merely the 'tool' but it was up to me to use the tool properly and consistently.

I've been maintaining my goal weight for the last 3 years, allowing myself a 10 pound safety zone. My goal was to stay at the bottom range and if I started edging up, to take a hard look at what I was doing (or not doing) and fix it so that it would start moving back down again. Since my current style of eating is still more vegetarian, I start looking at where the excess calories (and if I'm gaining, it means I'm eating too many calories) are coming from. Usually it's from added fat (cream in coffee, too much cheese, etc.) and so I consciously cut back. I'm 'working' my tool.

I wanted to mention that, through my practice, I know a number of people who have had weight loss surgery (vertical sleeve, gastric bypass and bands). The successful ones who go on to lose their excess weight also learn how to use their tool properly. The unsuccesful ones think that the surgery alone will make them slim and trim. They're wrong. Even among bypass patients there is a large contingent who gain all their weight back and then some. Weight loss surgery isn't a magic fix either. It's just a tool and if the person doesn't change their eating habits and lifestyle, they aren't working the tool.

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I have to agree with you CellarElf. Your post definitely makes a lot of sense. The reason why most of us fail to lose weight is because we rely on our chosen diet program/pill to do the job for us while we keep doing and eating what we are used to doing and eating. These tools should be used efficiently and effectively to succeed in our goal to be healthy. No one ever said it's easy but it's not impossible either. It's definitely doable and we just need to understand that if we want to lose weight and be fit, we have to cut back on the bad, maintain a balanced diet, and exercise regularly.

This is a great post cellarElf. You just helped most of us here understand the true meaning of losing weight and staying healthy. I lost 35lbs 3years ago and I have been working hard to maintain it. I have to change my eating lifestyle which was very difficult at first. I had totally cut my junk foods and sweets consumption which was also one thing I didn't want to do before. However, my will to lose weight was greater than my want to eat everything I want. It's indeed about perseverance and determination to stay healthy.

I am a big fan of pasta and white bread and changing to whole wheat was already a pain to me. The taste was different and I didn't like eating pasta anymore. However, when I got used to it, it doesn't taste bad at all. I also used to enjoy a lot of chocolates and I was able to avoid overeating it and I have to say that it makes me feel so good when I just stop because I know I'm in control. Doing it slow and training yourself to get used to healthy foods will give you bigger chances of not slipping and control your ideal weight.