I would also like to add “be prepared for change” because I have needed to mentally prepare myself for, not only the lifestyle changes, but the physical changes that occur when lifestyle changes are consistent. Sure, I might have dreamed of being thin, but once 20 lbs is gone, or 50 lbs, there can be a bit of separation anxiety from “the old me”. Also, be prepared for budget/expense changes when cooking your own meals and having to buy new clothes!

(sorry this comment is late but I just got your book and am reading through the archives!)

You can control that the weight falls off, but not necessarily where it comes off. It’ll all go down, but not all at once. How nice of my boobs to shrink and give me a better view of my roly stomach and chubby thighs! That is definitely the view I anticipated when I decided to no longer eat 4 pizza pops for lunch every day. Eventually, it all goes down, but it sure falls off in weird places sometimes.

You will piss people off. People like stasis. Your regular lunch buddy will feel as though you’re rejecting them, even if you explain that you just can’t eat that food anymore. Your mom will be hurt when you don’t gobble all of the butter tarts she made at Christmas (but seriously…gobble some. It’s Christmas, and I’m pretty sure baby Jesus was ticked that the second wiseman brought Frankincense and not butter tarts)

You will get sick of people asking you how you did it. Especially when they are the same people who have sat in morning meetings with you, watching you eat your nice banana while they eat delicious donuts. The worst part is that the people who annoy you most will inevitably ask you in situations where it is not appropriate to answer “Crystal Meth. Balls that there are always bugs crawling on me, but anything to be skinny!”

Some people struggle with appetite and cravings to the point of feeling so hungry all the time that they eventually stop trying to lose weight. It’s important to know that you don’t have to go through these things alone and there is lots of help available but you have to take the initiative to do it.

I have discovered single serving cups of jello sugar free pudding in the dairy section – Yummy!

Oh and it’s very helpful to buy things packaged in single servings. Even if you have more than one you know exactly how many calories you’ve had.

Have realistic goals – I’ll NEVER be thin. I look and feel best around 170-175 – I’m 5′-6″. I don’t expect to be 130, which some stupid chart claims is my ideal weight.

Most of all, pay attention to what and how much you eat. I can put away a ton of food and not pay any attention to the amount I’m packing away until I’m stuffed. Too late! And I serve my supper on a salad plate, unless part of the meal is salad which requires a bit more room on a plate.

I have been learning all these “things nobody told me” also. It’s not the easy fix that people hope to find… but it is the key to making this permanent for sure. Thanks for sharing!