If you could

If you could: lose all your excess weight never feel hunger rarely have cravings only go "off the wagon" by choice change your shape gain strength and ability lose the weight consistently would you? what if the caveat is it would take a little bit longer than what you know to be dieting, be a little harder as what you call exercise, but...you wouldn't face weight regain (unless you drastically changed your choices) and you'd be able to eat to satiety and live in a good mood?   Would you choose that way? See, for all the high horse comments, I'm just sharing what I've learned-- dieting isn't the way for longlasting health, mental wellbeing, and maintenance, healthy eating and exercise are.  They are not the same.  Not when diets mean your calories are always low.   Both may get you there, but one definitely is better for the individual, not because "I say so".  It's just clear as day, you just  have to look at the benefits I've detailed above, but also listen to sound success stories.  Am I one--not yet IMO as I'm still in the journey.  But I get it.  I have listened to the staff at my gym, 5 of whom lost 100lbs or more and what they say has offered total clarity. You can ignore me all you like--people are not going to get along when one desires to stay in their physical or emotional rut--but I offer my support either way to all of you.   One day you may realize that what I was saying makes sense--it does take a while to sink in--took me months and experiencing it to get there. None of what I say is to disparage anyone or their efforts.  It's just there are ways to get there and ways that make the road easier.  I wouldn't be the person I am to just let people stay in their ruts, I've always been the type to offer a hand (or in this case information).  But I understand the resistance--I was there once too. And I share in the journey, do not think that I get it because I've finished my journey.  I just know I finally have the right tool.  I live it. To the one who disparaged me for my place on the journey because of a hormonal whine--I never said the journey isn't a journey.  We will have moments, but how we handle them makes a world of difference.  And a few days can make a difference--today getting into a skirt 2 sizes smaller than I thought I could wear, today my stomach looking flat and my body tight.  I am feeling good--I'd like others to as well.

Are you for real?

What's that supposed to mean?  Of course I am.

I don't want to sound like I'm fueling the fire... not AT ALL. But I do want to give you my opinion- since I'm assuming your post was to ALL others on this forum :) If you could:

lose all your excess weight   
never feel hunger
rarely have cravings
only go "off the wagon" by choice
change your shape
gain strength and ability
lose the weight consistently

would you? I think most of us here WOULD... and ARE... all at a different rate and I believe most are very health conscious- more now then ever. what if the caveat is it would take a little bit longer than what you know to be dieting, be a little harder as what you call exercise, but...you wouldn't face weight regain (unless you drastically changed your choices) and you'd be able to eat to satiety and live in a good mood? 
I think this is all of us.. I think you are referring to many of our LIFE CHANGES- as "dieting"... and some of us likely CALL it "dieting"- because a change to healthier eating habits is often referred to as "dieting" - by society... and it's NEW to some of us- and "dieting" is a little easier to type than "life changes" :)

 If we work it- get to where we should be- and continue to live healthy lifestyles, we WILL be where we should be.  dieting isn't the way for long lasting health, mental wellbeing, and maintenance, healthy eating and exercise are.  They are not the same.  Not when diets mean your calories are always low.   Both may get you there, but one definitely is better for the individual, not because "I say so". 
Seriously though- there are SO MANY different people with different lifestyles, metabolisms etc., that HAVE done what you are referring to.... and MANY did it ( and ARE doing it) in a HEALTHY life changing way.... just because it was not the way you feel is right- does not mean they are doing it wrong or in an unhealthy way. It's just clear as day, you just  have to look at the benefits I've detailed above, but also listen to sound success stories. 
If you go to the WW website, Atkins, the cabbage soup site... you name it... there are TONS of success stories! Not ALL are the *right* way- meaning 'a healthy way".  But just because they were not done YOUR way- it does not mean they were done UNHEALTHY or that those who succeeded are on miserable diets- OR they will pack it on again over time.   My point is... there are more than ONE healthy ways to succeed at this. An outsider, someone who doesn't know ones personal medical/metabolic background/history-- they are not the one to dictate what is healthy or unhealthy.  You can ignore me all you like--people are not going to get along when one desires to stay in their physical or emotional rut--but I offer my support either way to all of you.   One day you may realize that what I was saying makes sense--it does take a while to sink in--took me months and experiencing it to get there. But I understand the resistance--I was there once too. IMO, you are doing more harm than good.  If you want to get your points across- don't preach at everyone that YOUR way is the only way. It is turning more people AWAY than giving information. You have to be realistic- YOUR gym- YOUR plan- YOUR Ian- ..... is just NOT right for ALL people.  You are sounding much more like a religious preacher- than a friend trying to lend a supportive hand. As Dr. Phil says: "How's it workin for ya?"   It definately is NOT working for those AROUND you. Preaching is a turn-off to many- especially when it's coming from a "newcomer" (to this WL plan- or whatever)    We will have moments, but how we handle them makes a world of difference.  This is very true- we DO all have days/moments like this- but some of us are more vocal than others. And, MOST people will voice their bad moments.... because it is a support forum.
I am feeling good--I'd like others to as well.
We all have those days/moments as well! Those are AWESOME!  LOVE those!   You are not alone in this! I read your "preaching" words- it is as though you are trying to *pound* your information into those around you... it's MY WAY- or the WRONG way. Back several years ago- I was trying to survive the death of one of my children. I was told things like: "If you truly BELIEVED... you would KNOW he is better off where he is than here". And- "You aren't greiving RIGHT"... things were pounded on me like that..... but ya know- like WL, my grief was my own. I was doing everything the right way- because it was MY grief and MY work.  MUCH of weight gain/loss- has to do with the emotional end of us... we all have to get to a place in life that tells us *NOW* is the time to work through this extra baggage (no pun intended... well, maybe it was ) You (or even Ian) cannot have more accurate information than all the Drs./scientists etc., that have been dealing with WL over many MANY years.  Your posts come off actually like you have been reading to many Kevin Trudeau books... watching to many of his inframercials :)    I don't think anyone here is really disputing your reasoning...  there may be some great information you are trying to share- it's the preaching and pounding you're doing. You are so adamant about making us *believe* your way. Okay... I've shared my thoughts. Nuff said

i've been reading your posts the last couple days and have been very tempted to reply many times. i held back and i'm glad i did because i don't think my replies would have been as well thought out and well said as some others have posted. i have to agree with them. you may consider your way right and have good intentions in what you post,  but your approach is way off base. and it approaches offensive in many of your statements. i think you need to back off a lot and perhaps find somewhere else to sit other than your pedestal.

i think its great you have found something that works for you and that you have the desire to share your revelations with everybody. but the truth is that in my many years participating on this board, i don't think anyone here referred to themselves as "dieting" in the socio-cultural sense. no one is doing cabbage soup or deal-a-meal. these are real people doing their best to get in better health. 1-2 lbs is perfectly average for weight loss unless you are on the biggest loser - i don't think anyone here thinks anything else (as much as we'd like to). we are all here because we KNOW that dieting doesn't work - that's not really a new concept.  i do find your postings offensive sometimes because of your tone and the insinuation that we don't know what we are doing and need to be enlightened. it has been over 4 years since i "finished" losing weight and i don't feel like i have the right to tell anyone else what is right for them. i know the research. i know a LOT. and if someone asks me, i will tell them. but i try not to lecture. general trainers (even the best, like NCSM) don't get training in nutrition and in fact, it is illegal for them to dispense nutritional advice unless they are certified specifically in nutrition.  bottom line, you are only 5 months and 20 odd pounds into this journey of a LIFETIME. and trust me, it is a LIFETIME. you don't know that you won't face regain. you don't know that you will always be able to eat to satiety and "live in a good mood." your body will change, your life cir****tances will change, there will be challenges. did i ever think i'd be in a car accident and be saddled with back pain for years? (hopefully not forever, but at this point, i don't know). before that - i was running everyday (slowly, but still). the minute you think you know everything and become complacent about it all - that will be the real test.

Y'all have missed the point, no matter how I've tried to phrase it.  Can't break through others interpretations of your words if they're so bound by their perception. Sorry folks.  But preaching I did not. 

Preaching, you did not. Talking like Yoda, you did.

Dude, I say we all are doing all of those things - to a varying degree.  To the degree that each of our lives allow.

I answered you below, too - hope you read it.

 

Newsflash:  Super Trainer Guy did not invent THE working weight loss program. ALL plans wor****il one factor or another is not accomplished.

This has nothing to do with "my" program or "my" trainer.  The fact that's where you're taking it speaks loads about your perception. I'm not gonna battle this.  People read things into posts and take from it what they position themselves to. The point was never about "my" program. Sheesh.