I want this word BANNED from OUR vocabulary!!

 

The word is ONLY !!

 

I get very upset to read, or hear, “I’ve lost only X pounds". Why use the word ONLY !?!?!?! Be proud of those pounds you lost!!! This is a major accomplishment!!

 

How many times were you NOT able to lose that amount of weight???? Or when you did, you gained it back?? If you lost weight, and haven’t gained it back, then aren’t you really winning?!?!?

 

 

Remember, this isn’t a race. “Slow and steady wins the race".  We are a generation of instantaneous results, however remember we didn’t put all the weight on at once, it took years. So don’t you think losing it would take just as long? This isn't one of those miracle instantaneous weight loss programs. We all know types of programs always fail. This is a way of life

 

Nowhere does any of the literate state you will lose x amount of weight in x days. Think LONG TERM. If it takes you 2 – 3 -5 years to lose all the weight, WHO CARES!!! How long did it take you to put all those pounds on? Try to remind yourself that even if I lost only 1 pound per week, in year’s time I’d be 52 pounds lighter. Many doctors believe the slower you lose weight, the better chance you have of keeping it off. 

 

Many folks are hung up on the number. It’s not the number of pounds that someone loses in a specified period of time that is important. It’s how you feel. Don’t forget, if you are toning up muscle – your weight loss may seem to have slowed (or stopped), when in fact you are replacing fat with muscle. Muscle is heavier then fat. Someone weighting 200 pounds with a body fat percentage of 25 is carrying around 50 pounds of extra fat. That same person weighting 200 pounds with 10 percent body fat would be carrying 20 pounds of fat. So it’s not the number that is important.

 

The amount of weight lost is affected by many factors. Everyone loses weight at different rates. It has to do with age, gender, one’s weight, exercise, etc.. A 10 pound lost to one person could be as affected as a 40 pound lost to another. Think of it this way: If a 400-pound person loses 40 pounds; a 300-pound person loses 30 pounds, a 200-pound person loses 20 pounds, and a 100-pound person loses 10 pounds – the 400-pound person didn’t necessarily lose more weight than the others. All three lost 10% of their body weight. 

 

 

 

Also there are other “scales" you can use to monitor your success: your constant hunger reduction (eliminated); reduced clothing size; increase energy; re-familiarizing yourself to body-parts unseen for years (errr… toes) ; “common" activity becoming easier (walking, climbing steps), just feeling good about yourself; sleeping better (reduced snoring); the mirror; better medical exam results (lower cholesterol and/or blood pressure); etc.

                

 

Be proud of your lost. No matter how small it may seem. Remember, it’s better to lose not a pound than to GAIN a pound.

 

So starting today – let’s officially start a movement to ban the word ONLY, and take pride in your lost!!

AMEN!!!! I could not agree more!

Hi Tom,

I really needed to hear this today, I was feeling a little down that my weight loss has slowed down so much. Its still going but very slow, so thank you very much for posting this.

Thanks,
Stella

Tom, that was excellent !!

And just what i needed today.  I'm 3 Weeks and 4 days Post Op.  I lost 20lbs in the first 10 days, and then 5 the next week and 3 the next.  So, I caught myself saying to people yesterday I ONLY loast 3 pounds last week.  But... You are absolutely right!!  Thanks for the thoughts, it Helped Alot :)

Brendan

Tom - I love your logic and insightful wisdom.  But every word has a place - it just needs ot be used in the right context.....

For example.....

I ONLY weigh 248 lbs today (yes I finally broke that 250 barrier).  Woo Hoo!  Looking forward to when I ONLY weigh 200....

Looking forward to the 29th!

G =)

Well I am glad you hit your barrier, and NOW weight 248. I only wish to be around when you DO hit 200 !!