See You at the Funeral

Posted on 11/01/2012 by dsjohndrow

Having been on MFP for the better part of two years, I have pretty much heard it all. You have your vegans and vegetarians, your carnivores and your fast food junkies here. People, we are here for a common goal; to take photos in the bathroom and get fit.

If you are here to diet for your special occasion, you are missing the point.

It's a lifestyle. Unless you planning to die on your wedding day or 40th birthday or cruise, I am assuming your life will have some style after your special day is past. The formula for a healthy lifestyle is more than what you shove in your face, although that is the major part.

For me fitness is a healthy weight, a nontoxic diet, good blood work and a sense of wellbeing with every breath I take.

People come and go on here all the time, but for those who tame their junk food consumption, exercise regularly, log daily and don't give up, they enjoy the benefits of being healthy and getting comments about being sexy in the forums.

I have a friend (Annabellj) that often says, "See you at the funeral!" I can't tell you how tempted I am to post that phrase as a response to some of the forums. Here are some examples of posts I would like to reply "See you at the funeral!":

- I have a cheat meal once a day.
- I am cheating with my best friend's spouse.
- I don't like fruit or vegetables and fish is gross.
- I can't swallow water.
- My SO makes me eat pizza against my will when (s)he's not at home.
- I can't afford to eat healthy, what should I buy at Olive Garden?
- Which burns more calories, sitting in front of the TV or going to the movies?
- Why would I want to sweat, I can lose without exercising.
- I am on an 800-calorie-a-day diet that works.
- I am back, but starting tomorrow.
- I am 1200 calories over and I haven't even gotten out of bed yet.
- People at the gym will think I am fat, what should I do?
- Seeking professional advice. (You'll get it in a minute.)
- I hate anyone that doesn't like my diary.
- I can't beleive the gym charges me when I am not there!
- I just had diarrhea after cleansing...

Look, it's easy to make excuses, and we all have bad days, however; the ones who succeed stick around long enough to meet their goals and make it a way of life.

So how has your lifestyle changed since joining MFP?

122 votes + -

36 comments:

shygur wrote 116 months ago:

I really eat healthy now and miss it when I have very busy days and although I still choose healthy meals out they are not the same as when I cook. I am beginning to look forward to workouts but I am definately more active. I love my new life.

runfatmanrun wrote 116 months ago:

I like this. The Olive Garden one really made me laugh. And I agree, short term goals are good but people need to remember a long term sustainment. Well said.

jdhosier wrote 116 months ago:

David, this may be one of your best posts. With your permission, I may use this for a Toastmasters speech.

deeannhill wrote 116 months ago:

"I can't swallow water"!! Step away from the eggnog, then. Bwahahahaha.

MaryRegs wrote 116 months ago:

I feel so much better since joining MFP, and committing to being healthier! Biggest NSV for me...a sense of pride in my choice to do the right thing. Another great post!

Scoochie1 wrote 116 months ago:

I am now no longer a charitable contributor to my local gym. Now, I actually go there twice a week and use their equipment! It's slow going but little by little the long term changes are happening

DEEDLYNN wrote 116 months ago:

I log in, I read, I try to give support and I take support. I'm not setting the world on fire, but I'm 40 lbs down from my heaviest weight. I recognize how horrible I feel when I eat too much. I can laugh at the ironies that come along the way on this diet....ex...see your Olive Garden post ahead...that could have easily been me at one point. I'm making progress and it has a dominoe effect. Confidence breeds confidence. I actually enjoy moving. I actually don't miss fast food. In the 200 something days that I have been here, my weight might be what some consider slow coming off (not all 40 lbs here), but I'm definitely inspired and slowing turning around the stinking thinking that I have developed over the last 48 years. Thanks for the GREAT thought provoking post.

UrbanWild wrote 116 months ago:

I find it extremely beneficial to track what I eat during the course of the day. Often I add something in prior to eating it to see if I would get enough 'bang for the buck' on a snack item, which is the food area I have the most problem with. Oh, you can cheat, sure--by not logging it. But you are only cheating yourself. I am here for me and no one else, though I do enjoy the few pals I have here that let me know I don't live in a vacuum (and vacuums are so dusty anyway).
I have only lost 11 lbs., but I'm still new at this. Even so, those missing 11 lbs. have made a huge difference in how I look and feel, and in what I can do for exercise now.
My hiking mileage has gone up, I can climb hills and stairs without gasping for breath and clutching my chest,and I have more energy than I've had in years. Adding even more of these benefits is my continuing motivation.
I stay off the forums now. I can't take the whiners and losers. I just can't support them nor do I have the energy to. In AA they have a catch phrase, "Stick with the Winners." That's what I do here. It's a no-brainer.

sweetgrasswoman wrote 116 months ago:

Two weeks ago I changed my food intake for healtheir choices and hit the gym 6 times/ week - Ive already noticed changes, not as hungry, bloated, tired or sluggish. I joined MFP 3 days ago and I love it! I never knew how to count calories before but this week I'm in the zone; I need and look forward to get my workouts in, whereas 3 weeks I was forcing myself/ not breaking a sweat. And who cannot swallow water? its a natrual element! If water can't go down your throat what does? Also I dont think anyone can hold a gun to your head and force you to eat pizza.
PS I went to McDonalds for Medium Fries, it only made my stomach twist *yuck- so that was a major turning point in my life

besaro wrote 116 months ago:

Wow, I just read your profile, I find it amazing you made it through that several month plateau. (GREAT JOB!) I am also intrigued by the "eating at your goal weight" I have heard this before.

I will admit I find the excuses tedious but, meh, people are people. I try meeting them where they are at.

My goal is NOT to take a crappy photo in the bathroom, I actually hate those photos. The flash, the dirty towels, clothes hanging out of the hamper, and toiletries all over the counters, lol.

Thanks for the great post! You are looking terrific!

odditblue wrote 116 months ago:

Sooooo, sooooo, soooooo, soooooooooooo true. And thanks... I sure needed to hear this... again. Keep on saying it. Sometimes it takes us butting our head against that wall over and over and over for the truth to finally sink in. We try anything and everything else... but true results only come when we are willing to admit we've been wrong... and begin to do what we know is right. Eating right, exercising, and logging it truthfully every day. Thank you.

Alotalove4u wrote 116 months ago:

Ok pretty fun, But True, Since joining this group. Im much more aware of what I put in my mouth and I think by tracking your daily intake is truly helpful when it comes to how much sugar/fat/sodium you should consume i a day, I have known about this site for almost 4 yrs now but never really took advantage of it until recently and boy am I glad I did,..

Laura80111 wrote 116 months ago:

I'm a lurker and I watch for when your blogs show up...you always have a good twist on what you share and this one was GREAT. I love the I'm back but starting tomorrow...what happened to today?

My lifestyle change...the first time (yes this is my second time around) I did the losing with Nutrisystem it worked but I didn't follow through after reaching my goal. This time around I decided if this is going to be a true lifestyle change it had to be done with food I cooked and liked and could eat the rest of my life. I'm loving the change and know it's something that's for the rest of my life. Exercise I've finally taken to another level too but it's too soon to see those changes...so stay tuned.

Thanks for your post and example that you are setting.

MelisMusing wrote 116 months ago:

This is a great post. Since joining MFP, I've been eating cleaner, saying no to "treats" especially if its something I could have any old time and isn't "special". (Pizza isn't special, I can order one whenever! Candy is always avaialable! Knowing this makes it easier to say no).

I am also exercising more and loving how I sleep better, my back doesn't hurt and my clothes are more comfortable.I have set realistic goals- 1 lb a week, eating to lose, and moving. Goal loss is 40% of my current weight in a year, give or take. I feel SO GOOD, and SO POSITIVE about this. :)

FitXnX50 wrote 116 months ago:

Wise. Succinct. Inspiring. Humorous. Thank you!

rejordan wrote 116 months ago:

See you at the funeral is classic! You're so right!

Melissajo44 wrote 116 months ago:

I don't like fish...but I do like your blog!

TrailRunner61 wrote 116 months ago:

Great post, like always! My life has changed a LOT! I no longer sit on the couch all day with my laptop, eating garbage. I've walked/jogged/biked nearly 1,000 miles, I'm almost done with C25K, I eat healthier, my family eats healther & even the dog has lost 26 lbs! lol I WAS pre-diabetic, I had high triglycerides, I was maxed out on one type of blood pressure med and the Dr. had added another. I'm now down to the maxed out one and was able to toss the other one. She believes it is a hereditary type but at least I tried and got rid of one. I can now see the veins on TOP of my muscles intead of fat! It looks so weird, but I love it. It's easier to do stuff. For example, the last few days Ive been painting a room in my house (the exercise room!) and I felt like climbing the ladder, stretching, reaching, etc. was sooo much easier since I've lost the 40lbs and have gained strength. I can thank people like YOU, who inspire and encourage me to do my best. Thank you for being a pal, I love your posts!

joeysox wrote 116 months ago:

haha love it! me and my husband were saying pretty much the same thing the other night, after spending so long on MFP i can tell early on which people will stick around and which ones will drop out in a few weeks time. I have tried for all the wrong reasons, gotten myself angry/sick/upset etc and taking it steady and being healthy is the only way forward! and the only way to sustain it x

anifani4 wrote 116 months ago:

Great post. I agree and felt the same way seeing those stupid posts. But then I think, everyone is somewhere on the learning curve. They are at the very beginning.

How has my lifestyle changed: 1. I went from doing no exericise 2 months ago, to slowly increasing and now doing a half hour 5 days a week. Still building stamina. 2. I know how to choose healthy food but never would eat green leafy veggies (other than occasional spinach and lettuce). So my first goal was to learn about the greens, how to cook them so I will like them, and am now eating some every day, sometimes twice. I think I can cut back on my calcium supplement.

groomchick wrote 116 months ago:

A Classic Blog... Well said!! :)

petreana1 wrote 116 months ago:

i love this, i have change the way i'm eating, doing it healthy now, i now exercise and dont just set on the couch, i can now not only fell the weight coming off i can see it,i enjoy all my mfp friend that encourage me to do my best, i will be walking/jogging in my 1st 5k in a couple of weeks. my blood pressure is under controll and i fell great, sleeping better. I love you post. keep moving foward.

recee96 wrote 116 months ago:

great post!

Lakeswoman wrote 116 months ago:

Great blog! I mostly changed how much I eat. I still eat many of the "old" foods,,just cut way back and added in better foods along with it. I weigh or measure almost everything. Exercise has become 2nd nature. I feel bloated/guilty/cranky if I don't get in some sort of exercise each day.

I hit my original goal 2 weeks ago and have been maintaining since. I have not gained, even though my daughter got married with all that goes with it,,food and booze and 4 days of temptation! Maintaining is good. I am working toward taking off 5-10 more pounds..and that, too, will happen.

ImprovingEla wrote 116 months ago:

I prepare most of my food from fresh veggies and fruit and meat, vs. canned and pre- processed!
Kind of amazing on how much sodium I safe by this, was not aware of it before!
Have to work on my workout, but I will make progress on that front too!

TurtleRunnerNC wrote 116 months ago:

I don't eat out nearly as much as I did. I have started running every other day & have done three 5K's and I actually enjoy it. I walk on the days I don't run. I drink mainly water (other than my coffee) Pepsi used to be the only thing I drank. I like brown rice and squash. I like whole wheat bread. I don't need a gallon of creamer & sugar. Just a bit will do. I'm wearing smaller clothes & I feel better than I did a year ago.

love22step wrote 116 months ago:

Bravo!!!!! Well written!

When did common sense become uncommon?

KeriA wrote 116 months ago:

I have more friends on MFP than on Facebook. I do have a special occasion - my son is getting married in March but I was on here long before they announced their engagement. I know that I will be on here when I get to the stage of maintaining what I achieve. Then I will be still be trying to just get fitter and healthier and keep the weight off. I always know to read your blog when I see it.

frosty73 wrote 116 months ago:

This is the greatest post ever! I need to read it every day. And I have had days where I start out 1200 calories over my limit.... LOL. It's called midnight binging!

annabellj wrote 116 months ago:

this is so awesome! no one has ever quoted me ever! pretty much sums up my thoughts on life, I have always been up and down in weight.But thanks to mfp and friends like you, I dont have to say that anymore! I have really come a long way since being on here! thanks david for always being here and making me laugh! youre a great friend!

wisebadger53 wrote 116 months ago:

Awesome post my inspirational friend! You set the bar high for the rest of us, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Rock on!

TrekGuru wrote 116 months ago:

I am new at this. I weigh 256 pounds (I lost 2 pounds this first week and yes I am drinking my water ALL of it). I read these blogs to get encouragement but this is only the second one I have replied to. This program works!!! I can see what the consiquences of eating each food is before I eat it. I can make better choices. right now we are eating the food in the house to make room for the heathyier stuff. so it is smaller portions, more frequent and smaller meals. It is very hard since I am disabled and have trouble walking so not very much exercise but we bought a massage table to get a flat surface to do what exercies I can (although none of them are in the listing) I love that you have to tell the program what activity level you are so it can calculate your calorie intake correctly. We a laptop in the kitchen so we can log food as we leave the kitchen or make the choices right there. thank god my husband is doing this too. We are both disabled and obese. Thanks for bloging.

Flyer615 wrote 116 months ago:

Over the past nine-or-so months, I've read all of your blog posts (including the ones from before then). This has become my new favorite. I found this one humorous, but mostly, it rings so true (I guess that's why it's funny). I've had a number of people tell me they "just don't like the taste of water." Huh?!? Go tell it on the mountain, brother. Keep up the great work.

lstrachan wrote 116 months ago:

Another awesome blog!! My accountability to myself have changed since joining MFP. I love the support of my team that I have created, most importantly, I love the woman that I see in the mirror. I enjoy living a healthy lifestyle.

mandyysue wrote 116 months ago:

Just wanted to let you know that I just ate a bowl of Ramen noodles and heard "well, see you at the funeral!" from your post in my head. I need to make some serious changes.

Just wanted to let you know that you got through to someone!! Thank you for this post.

PriscillaOwl wrote 116 months ago:

I like your witty sarcasm.

Add Comment

Diaries of a Nearly Dead Man

See You at the Funeral

36 comments: