My First Post - Just an observation

tchell99

aylajane wrote: »

For maintenance I kind of came up with a rule for myself... I would eat at 250 above maintenance one week a month, then maintenance the next week, then 250 below maintenance the next week, then maintenance the next week. I.e. every other week is maintenance, and I get a "high" and "low" week that should balance each other out.

The reason for this was to assure myself that *I* control my food, it does not control me, and that what I do on a given day or week does not determine my destiny - its the bigger picture that counts (on a monthly basis, I eat at maintenance!). On my "high" weeks, I get to indulge a little more is all in maybe things I would not normally. Knowing that week is coming it is pretty easy to say no to some temptations the rest of the time. ANd having a "low" week keeps me in control - and I try hard to keep the same "volume" of food but with lower calories (i.e. light yogurt instead of regular, bigger salad with less dressing, etc) so i never feel really deprived and I am more confident in my control of the situation.
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- I also weigh myself daily and keep a ten day moving average. If the 10 day average goes above a certain point, the next week is a "diet" week (250 below maintenance) and I do that every other week (no "high" weeks) until it moves back down to "acceptable". Then back to normal.
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- I think of it as preventative... works for me anyway.

How long have you been doing this? Just curious - seems reasonable if you are disciplined about it.

laineybz

I'm in the same boat. I feel that way every now and again, i just remind myself by looking at photos of me previously and recent ones.

farfromthetree

Yup, went from 175 to 126. When I creep up to 130, I feel the same as I did at 175. It is crazy... and I just discovered Nutella too. wow!!

onyxgirl17

I've gained 8 pounds since my lightest a year and a half ago. I told myself if I got to 140 I'd start counting calories again but other than that I would just live maintenance without worry (I counted calories too much when I had an eating disorder as a teen so it brings back some anxiety to do so).

Well, I'm back to counting calories again (1300-1400) is my target because I lost about .5-1 lb a week at this rate.

JustSomeEm

farfromthetree wrote: »

Yup, went from 175 to 126. When I creep up to 130, I feel the same as I did at 175. It is crazy... and I just discovered Nutella too. wow!!

Nutella is totally my downfall. A friend got me some for Christmas, so I've been 'treating' myself with it by the spoonfuls. Yum, but deadly.

I've just come to realize that maintenance IS tougher than losing for me, but only because I'm really realizing that in order to maintain, I still have to be mindful. I never gave up the 'treats' while losing, and I still have those treats now. But it's a constant struggle to be ever-mindful of what I'm putting in my mouth. That's the reason I'm still here, still logging my food and exercise every day.

I will say, though, that I was very indulgent over the holidays, and even though I over-indulged quite a bit, the weight gained (4 pounds) was gone within about 10 days of being back to normal and today I'm back at pre-holiday weight. It gave me a little more confidence in my ability to maintain, so yay. BUT, OP, I feel you. With those extra pounds, I was starting to feel a little like the staypuft marshmallow man... And that was only 4 pounds... after dropping more than 70!

azulvioleta6

Yes, when you get down to a size where you are comfortable with your body, going up even a few pounds can feel really uncomfortable.

My lowest weight was 208...and even though I should weigh 190, I feel REALLY skinny at that weight...as it, it hurts to sit because I have no fat on my butt. I feel pretty good at 212 or so, but 218 seems enormous. I'm a tall person with a really big frame size, so you wouldn't think that 10 pounds would make a difference, but it really does.