Alright I'm getting ready to switch from "weight loss" mode to "maintenance" mode... and frankly I'm scared out of my mind. I have a lot of thoughts... lots and lots of thoughts about this next step.
More on all of that later.
What I want now is to hear from you (YES YOU!).
Come out of your lurking status and let me know how you did it... or how you plan to do it.
How did you know when you were done losing weight?
What changes have you made to your lifestyle to keep the weight off?
Have you kept the weight off?
I think it would be so valuable to hear how your plans for maintenance panned out in reality.
What things were bigger hurdles than you expected?
Were you able to maintain at your lowest weight or did you have to find a more comfortable weight?
What dieting habits have you kept and which ones did you let go of?
And for all of you who haven't reached this point... you will... and when you do have you thought about how you plan to keep it off?
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7 comments:
I have no friggin clue how to maintain. Honestly, it scares me to death. Although I DO know once I reach my goal weight, exercise will still be a several-times-a-week thing. (so maybe cut out one or two classes, haven't thought that all the way through yet...)
and I have GOT to weigh myself. OFTEN. daily weekly, whatever. As much as I hate the scale, it's the best way for me to keep myself in check.
One of my fav bloggers is a WW maintainer- have you seen Marie? Lots o good stuff there.
i'm maintaining but find it really difficult. i'm 5'6" - 120-125 pounds. losing is easy, but maintaining... not so much!
it's hard... should meals be bigger, or just more snacks? should i be cutting down gym time, or trying to push myself harder?
in order to keep the weight off i've set a "top" weight, and as soon as i reach that weight, i'm back to seriously counting all points and avoiding trigger foods, like ice cream and peanuts.
the hardest part is losing the "i'm at goal weight, i can eat like a normal person again" mentality, because you aren't a normal person, you're a person who struggles with weight.
to maintain, i try to get in at *least* 30 minutes of extra activity a day, like walking, or bike riding (easy stuff) in addition to hitting the gym for harcore workouts 3-4 times a week. i eat low point, high fibre breakfasts and try to get some protein at lunch. that's about it!
i saw i got called out on here so i thought i'd give my two cents.
I've maintained my goal weight for over a year (actually under it) and now give myself a 10 pound window to be in (135-145) because the number game is stupid. i give myself more freedom now then when i was in losing mode but i'm just as active (if not more so as i've gone from running 5ks to half marathons).
I follow weight watchers so my tips are based on that. I stopped focusing so much on the 100 calorie packs and small treats and more so on getting in whole grains, larger portions of lean meats and as many veggies as I can handle (not a big fruit person) and less processed foods. lean cuisines are great and all, but they make you binge because they don't fill you up. i'd rather spend the points (or the calories) counting out REAL food then a prepackaged mini meal any day). don't get me wrong, I still give myself treats but I try to use my free points for those and not my daily allotment of points for that (so if you're counting calories, think of it as you have to burn off more to earn those treats).
my best advice is to print off the food guide that is specific to your age/gender and tape it to your fridge and just follow it. budget for the treats you want and get out and exercise for 20 mins a day.
it's just that simple.
see? told you she's great :)
Hey guys... If you read today's post you know I am dying.... I will write more thoughtful responses in a bit! Thank you so much for responding!
Since we have so little in common, I don't know that my experience will offer you anything.
I mentioned before that I lost 50 pounds 10 lbs ago. After about 3 years, I was getting bigger than I liked again, although I hadn't gained everything back. Then I lost about 20 lbs running and doing Atkins. Gained again and then lost 25 lbs on a low fat calorie counting kind of diet. So I've done some yo-yoing. I've never gotten back to my original weight, and I've exercised consistently for the past 3 years, so I feel good about that. I think all the exercise has reshaped my body to some degree, as even with extra weight, I don't look nearly as blobby as I did before I started.
Anyway, all that doesn't help you. As Marie said "the hardest part is losing the "i'm at goal weight, i can eat like a normal person again" mentality, because you aren't a normal person, you're a person who struggles with weight."
I think that is the hardest thing. My advice (which I need to follow myself) is to consistently monitor your weight, and take steps to control it before it gets out of control. Since you know what it takes to get down, you'll know what to do if you've gained a pound.
Thanks everyone.
It seems you all have similar things to say in terms of accepting that you cannot go back to "normal" and keeping up your activity.
eurydice...
losing is easy, but maintaining... not so much!
Oy! Say it ain't so! ;)
the hardest part is losing the "i'm at goal weight, i can eat like a normal person again" mentality.... well said!
and I am down with establishing a "top" weight and then kicking back into serious mode if I reach it.
marie...
lean cuisines are great and all, but they make you binge because they don't fill you up
Amen...I hope Mr F is reading this because this is his downfall!
Thanks for all your tips... and kudos on maintaining!
Katieo...
I have GOT to weigh myself. OFTEN.
I hear ya! I'm currently weighing every damn day. I think that will be my biggest tool toward keeping it off (hopefully) and I also know that for me exercise is going to be key for me as well.
Chris...
Since we have so little in common
What do you mean... we both love Disney... no? ;)
I've never gotten back to my original weight, and I've exercised consistently for the past 3 years, so I feel good about that
I think after 10 years that is an accomplishment!
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