The Skinny on Weight Loss Excuses
Posted on 11/29/2016 by dsjohndrow
It doesn't matter where you go, overweight and obese people have a million excuses for not losing and maintaining their weight. You can call it grasa, fett, gordura or just plain old fat, but it is a health hazard and you know it.
I had a heart trauma in April '11, and what I heard afterwards was this: 57% of those that have had a heart attack don't even continue to take their medication after the first refill! While, close to 80% make no significant life style changes.
If you are telling yourself there is some reason you cannot lose weight, you probably won't!
I don't have time. - If it was going out to dinner you probably would. Look you have time for lots of things, you need to schedule it. If working out is not in your calendar, it is unlikely that you'll win at this game.
I still have time. - You may be young enough where your food and lack of exercise is not a problem, but for most it doesn't work forever - especially past 40. Yeah, I know about your grandmother that drank a case of beer and smoked 3 packs of cigarettes a day, only ate fried food, dated 5 men at a time and lived until 145. Let me know if you make it.
Everyone in my family is fat. - Why is that? Could it be diet and exercise?
It's a cheat day. - Get out your stones and excuses about shaking up your metabolism blah blah blah. The truth is that cheaters are in the group of roller coaster dieters, from which nearly all of them eventually gain back the weight they lost the other 6 days a week.
I have kids. - Yeah, so take them for a run. I take my 9-year-old walking, riding bikes, rolerblading, running every day that it is nice enough to do so. We plan vacations near bike trails so we can ride as a family. When she was a baby, we just put her in the front pack, or bicycle trailer. My YMCA has kids care as well.
I'm too busy. - Well, health is a choice; it might be time to make it.
The dog/kangaroo didn't eat it. - If you are full at the restaurant, you'll be tempted to eat whatever you bring home before lunch the following day. If that is the case, leave it.
I don't know what to do. - I don't know about you, but most of us here do not have degrees in health and nutrition. MFP is a good guideline for the amount of food, and balance of what we call macros: carbs, protein and fat. Here's a tip, if it is low-cal junk food, its still junk food. Cardio which is truly healthy is when the heart rate goes above 120. This requires walking at 3 mph or possibly higher.
It's too hard to lose weight, I've already tried. - You are correct, and you've proved it. That is why you need to forget dieting. You make changes you can do for the rest of your life.
I can't afford healthy food. - I will agree that a variety of healthy food costs more. Here are some tips for saving money. Drink only water, it's free. Many grocery stores have fruits and veggies that are discounted because they are past fresh: we buy 6 apples for a dollar, 2 peppers for half a buck, and 3 bananas for even less. Over all we find them to be a good value. Brown rice is the same price as white and far better. You'll be eating less, usually 3-4 ounces of meat or fish. You can buy packaged ham and cheese in bulk and freeze it. The same is true for some fruits and veggies. Frozen food isn't horrible, and most canned food can be rinsed to reduce sodium content.
It's too late. - I'm already _____ years old. - Yup, and tomorrow you be that plus one day. I don't get it.
I'm afraid of failure. - I have met a few folks on MFP that have a lot weight to lose (me I was close to 100). It is a daunting task, and it takes time. Read the Success Story forums and friend those folks who have done what you need to do. I find it inspiring. On average, those that work at it can lose 40-100 lbs in a year. (Yes, I am sure there are some with medical reasons who cannot and I am not talking about them.)
I'm afraid of success! - Being obese for a long period of time becomes a way of life. We set up our enablers, buy cars, furniture and even our personality changes to accommodate our physical state. I sat with a guy the other day that could not fit in the booth at a lunch place. It was sad. Then he ordered a 3000 calories steak bomb.
My significant other doesn't care why should I? - Most mature adults are smart enough not say "I would love you better thinner!" I suppose there are some that have spouses that like them in an unavailable state, but for the most part, our health is our concern. Losing weight has many benefits other than just looking and feeling better.
I can't exercise, there's no place for me to walk. - We need to start where we stand. The goal is eating well, and getting in three 30 minute cardio session a week in which we get the heart rate over 120. You can walk in place, by home gym resistance bands, and an array of other things. I bet you can find a treadmill on Craigslist for cheap!
I love to eat. - Yup, me too. I am just enjoying eating better, and less.
I do a lot of traveling for work and find it hard to stick to my weight loss plan. - It is not an easy task to eat out all the time, but many places I have stayed at had a refrigerator and a grocery store nearby.
I've heard that running puts me at risk for knee problems and arthritis later in life. LOL, that's BS. But you can try swimming, use the elliptical or riding a bike.
It's just one. - One breakfast muffin is equal to two 30 minute cardio sessions.
It's the holidays. - So?
I don't cook my own meals. - It's hard to control what others do. I made an agreement with my wife over what I was willing to eat each week. Communication helps, and filling up with a large snack before meals is also another option. If you eat half a bag of baby carrots, you are probably not going to chow down on the fried chicken.
Well, those are the ones that I used. How about you?
Thanks for the votes and comments, I very much appreciate them.
and I've used just about everyone of those ...until coming to MFP.
We have time for whatever we want. . .
You can plan restaurant meals ahead by looking at nutritional info online
If you can't get outside to walk, buy walking DVD's and do it at home (most of my exercise is done this way), or even better find free workouts on Youtube
I don't have cheat days, but I do allow myself to have sweets and other "forbidden" foods from time to time, it I don't I know I would binge
Plan your meals and shop sales. . .
Anyone who makes a commitment to lose weight will be able to succeed. . .
I've used all these excuses plus some... I'm working on fixing that!
Very inspiring, thank you.
But regardless of what you say, eating well when traveling for work is hard!. In my industry when you travel you are in meetings from as early as 7am to as late as 9-10p or leaving and going directly to the airport. Also, when meeting in groups, we share cars, etc and do not always have the freedom to go to the grocery store. And not everywhere I've been has a grocery store even remotely close.
That being said, if you don't change what made you fat in the first place, you will never lose weight. Don't give up on everything you are doing right, because you cant do everything every time. (So you eat out, make better choices, watch your serving sizes, limit the alcohol - even if someone else is paying for it) Keep walking, taking the stairs, etc.
Great post!
And...I travel for work A LOT. Sometimes for days at a time. I have an awesome cooler that I take with me and fill it with healthy foods. It CAN be done.
Just good to hear stuff like this when you may feel a little weaker than usual. Good stuff!
No excuse is good enough to justify choosing to be unhealthy.
Do I like exercising? No, actually I kind of hate it. BUT...I hate myself more when I don't workout.
Either do it, or quit complaining, and don't expect anyone to feel sorry for you.