Kenna Morton's Journal, 15 January 2020

Your advice is true, hope doesn’t get people to their goals. Actions do. 💞💞💞 

It's hard for many of us. I will get the determination to lose weight for a period of time, from several months to a year but eventually gain it back. I'm hoping this will be the final "yo" for my yo yo dieting. It is encouraging to see quite a few people on FS that are maintaining and have been maintaining for a while. Hoping to get ideas from them on maintaining. 

There is so much information to help people not only on FS but the internet in general. I've been on and off one type or another of weight loss programs my entire adult life, giving up and restarting more times than I want to admit. I've known for many many years that it's a life style change not a diet but I had to get to a point in my life where I said enough is enough, until people get to that point in their life all we can do is keep doing what works for us and lead by example.  

Fritzy— it is not just hard for you, you are not a special entity, it is hard for EVERYONE. I am a normal weight person, not by genetics certainly, but by purposeful decision and commitment to creating the BEST POSSIBLE, healthiest lifestyle I can for myself without giving up all of the wonderful things there are to eat. You have to enjoy life and food is a part of that. But, you have to make a decision to compromise with yourself. Deprivation and calling oneself “bad” is a self destructive approach. It has to be a balancing act— eating healthier on boring, non social days, and allowing yourself to spread your wings, so to speak, on more special occasions. A commitment to portion control, moderation and an activity level of some type goes a long way to keeping both your weight and your health under control.  

I find that this is a very personal journey but good information is always always very very helpful. Education is a must. Also wanting to change is a must. There’s absolutely no easy way around us. A person needs to want to do the work. Especially when life happens to people, I’m including myself in this.What is helping me more than anything is support from all of you. So thank you 

I'm not a special entity? Makes me sad. 

Sometimes the journey is easier when you know you're not alone. Sometimes it's frustrating when you're seeing how well some of your FS buddies are doing, and how stagnate you or other's are in comparison. Just know we're all here for support, and regardless of the path we follow at least we're on the road. 

True, Kenna. I have been maintaining for over a year. I enjoy my keto WOE and I am really grateful that it has enabled me to reverse T2D, avoid medications, and generally feel great. On the rare occasions I eat carby foods like cake, I sometimes enjoy it with no guilt and other times have an upset stomach . . . but I have learned I don't need to beat myself up over it. 

“A very personal journey” is a great excuse, actually. “It’s hard for me, I am a special snowflake”. Sure, everyone is. Good post, Kenna. Sometimes I am baffled by what I see here, it’s like a never ending story, but I just keep it to myself because it’s all about the inner motivation. Whatever you can advise, or say, or try to help, they won’t move or achieve anything unless they rewire their brains. There one simple thing that needs to be understood. Whatever WOE you choose, look at it a life journey that keeps you healthy over “personal journey” that does not work long term. 

Weight loss is more mental than "what I eat" and how we talk to ourselves plays a huge role in that. Until the relationship with food (and ourselves) is addressed - which is a continual process for most of us it seems - the weight yo-yos. It's a learning journey and sometimes you have to do the same lesson over and over til you get it. I'm still working on some of mine :) 

What is your point? The fact that there are some people here who've been here as long or longer than you - and are still here? I'm confused. 

I’m confused too. This is a life journey for me and most folks here and I ask for support and encouragement from folks willing to offer it. I rarely ask for advice or give it. I come here to record my facts and enjoy positive people. Thanks for sharing. 

I am confused also. I have been here just a year and dont recall reading in the member benefits that it included giving/getting diet and health advice from other members. That is why I am still private....but need to better temper my comments to others. Unless they ask. You are the model of health for someone your age....I am just 60 and just retired. I am "hopeful" yes, I use that word that the next chapter for me will be healthier than the last 5-10 years. I also "hoped" and worked hard to retire at 60 and made that happen so I know I will be successful at ditching these last 18-20 lbs. The word ""hope" is just a word that some take literally and others attach a different meaning.  

Kenna has a nursing background... it’s in her heart to help as that’s what she has been doing her entire career. She has helped many lose weight in a healthy way and gain a new life. She’s reflecting her own thoughts in her post. Is it wrong to want to help?  

I am confused to see people are actually confused. Kenna is a very no nonsense logical individual in terms of health knowledge, always ready to help. 

Hope is having an optomistic state of mind that you have the knowledge skills and determination to achieve a certain outcome. Having hope is good for your mind set to weightloss and better health. Unfortunately weight issues are often the result of many things others can not intervene with and help with..... family issues, health issues, stressful work issues, influence from others in their daily lives. I read it all the time what triggers some to overeat and off their plan. You have to fix the cause to get to the result. I think that is why people rebound and gain, lose and regain. Or even struggle with a loss. My issues were 50 hours sitting on my butt every week at work, stress from work (cortisol), time limitations, parents declining health, endless candy bowls and donuts, office events centered around food, wine as the answer to every frustrating day. My comment was not to dimish her desire to help....just what the expectation was that she would be able to help with others expressing those issues. Kenna is a role model !! 

CCC, excuses, sorry. Good luck! 

🐮 💞velvetee  

Velvetee. Thank you but it has nothing to do with luck! Not excuses.... all that and having health issues was the cause. A cause that I have been successful at correcting with lots of hard work. All the best to you!!! 

Sometimes life happens, s*)(*t happens. My story: Never in my life I had a weight problem until I moved to the United States in 2007. No cycling to work anymore, a lot of processed food, cheap restaurants, a hasty life style, busy with teenagers (who had to be brought everywhere with the car), and every social event celebrated with tons of food! Every year I gained a few pounds until two eye opening moments in December 2011. What happened? My suitcase didn't arrive ate the airport, I had to buy 3 sizes larger! And I couldn't climb uphill for half a mile anymore, I got dizzy, and felt terrible! I lost the extra 33 pounds in 2012, and stayed on that same weight for more than five years! The last three years, I have been gaining some of that weight back due to the many life changes that happened. Although I still walked and hiked, I stopped running! I moved to (2015) and out of Texas in (2018), I felt the outsider which only got worse, and felt very lonely there (Oregon suits me so much better!) but it was again starting over, meeting new people etc. I do know how to live healthy, I do know how to keep the same weight but the last two years I simply lacked the mental motivation. Every person on FS has their own personal story! Some people need to have a few restarts to succeed! They are allowed to - even have their excuses - because the journey should be in their own pace. Most important, they are here now willing to do something about there health. Sometimes advise is not the best thing to give, simply a thumbs up or a comment, "long time no see, great to see you back here"