Afraid when I stop dieting I'll gain back

doreent1952

I have been dieting for 1 year as of yesterday and gone from 210 to 147 pounds. I am 2 pounds away from my goal. More important is that I am off meds for type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. For the first time in my adult life I am in size 8 jeans and a medium top and weigh less than my sister. (she's always been the skinny one) I feel so much better physically and mentally. But I am afraid after all this hard work I will gain it back. I don't want to be part of that statistic. How do I start eating more and not gain?

Ninkyou

Educate yourself about calories and what your body needs. I'd think you've learned a thing or 2 in the past year that should help you in the future.

GaleHawkins

doreen your regain is 100% certain if you go back to your old eating lifestyle. After 40 years of yo yo dieting I have change my eating lifestyle. I stopped losing weight for 90 days and maintained without gaining a pound but did fluctuate +/- 2 pounds.

Lose 10% and maintain for 6 months then repeat over and over is thought to be the best way to prevent regains.

One does not keep losing weight like to the point of death. I went off sugar, grains or most all carbohydrates and I never plan to start eating them again to keep my pain low and delay my death.

Because you are concerned I expect you will come out OK.

Welcome to the MFP forums.

DancingMoosie

I was afraid when easing into maintenance, too. I actually had to fight to keep from losing more, and had to gain a little. I worked so hard on my fitness that it became a habit. Keeping up with my workouts makes maintenance easier, because I burn so many calories. Try some new activities and see what "clicks." Staying busy and doing something fun takes your mind off the food--if you're anything like me, and eat out of boredom;)

truelight_photo_craig

Lot's of good advice here. I've found that by making small changes to my diet, I've now developed habits that are ingrained into me. With 100+ pounds lost and about 20 more to go, I have no concerns whatsoever of slipping back. Just keep doing what you know is right.

erojoy

I would stop dieting then and just make a lifestyle change.

Hornsby

I didn't do anything losing weight that I didn't plan on doing after I was in maintenance. The only difference being the # of calories I intake so no, I don't really worry about it. After losing and counting calories for a period of time, you should have the knowledge of what your body needs and what your intake needs to be to maintain (whether you are logging your food or not).