I have no problem losing it, I have a problem maintaining it!

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rhtexasgal

This is my second "real" go around with losing weight. This time seems to be sticking as I have met my weight loss goal and have maintained for six months now. Several things are different now than they were previously.

1. Instead of losing weight for someone else (trying to keep appealing for hubby), I did it for myself. In turn, my confidence rose and THAT is what keeps hubby attracted as he told me, not losing weight (although that was a bonus for him). He said that seeing my confidence and self-esteem rise in myself made him happy that I was happy.

2. Goals - I always have a goal. First was the goal to get down to my goal weight of 125. Well, I surpassed that and hover between 119-123 consistently. Well, I needed something new to shoot for so now I have been weight training so I can do pull-ups. I have never been able to do them before so one of these days, I will get it and then I will create another goal to meet.

3. Tools - It wasn't until I got my Fitbit One that I truly started losing weight consistently. I truly did not realize how inactive I was until I got it. Now, it helps me to keep moving. And when you move, you lose! I also invested in a food scale. Wow - that was an eye-opener to see how much I was overeating.

4. Proving my doctors wrong - My doctors wanted to put me on meds for pre-diabetes and cholesterol. They did not think that diet and exercise would do it for me. I also have inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis. Guess what? It is in remission and has stayed in remission. No meds, except health supplements as needed. I am also proving them wrong by lowering my cholesterol by eating MORE fats. Doctors don't really know much about diet plans ...

5. Nix the word diet from your vocabulary - I prefer to call it a new eating plan. Diet has a connotation that it is temporary. A new eating plan however is a lifestyle change and that is what losing and maintaining weight is - a lifestyle change.

pug11

I'm with the 90/10 group here, eat well 90% of the time and have my treats the other and I've kept 50 pounds off doing it this way, used to "diet" down then gain it all back driving myself crazy.

It's just a lifestyle now, also doing things I love to do, hiking, running hills, weight lifting etc.

I also do enjoy logging my food each day! that's a big thing for me in maintaining.

CSARdiver

Caitwn wrote: »

CSARdiver wrote: »

I'm trying to find the link, but there was a recent video release of findings from the National Weight Control Registry and they identified several key successful habit of individuals losing and keeping off 30lbs or more.

http://www.nwcr.ws/Research/default.htm

First of all they identified a higher motivation than losing weight, such as "being a better parent".
They exercised 60 min/day.
They logged their activity.

All of this is based upon small changes that have dramatic impact over time. Just continue developing good habits and if you start to drift, correct and make small sustainable changes to get you back on track.

Maybe this is the video you mean? It's a talk by the director of the National Weight Control Registry, reviewing the data from thousands of participants who have successfully maintained weight loss of 30 pounds or more. It's easy to listen to and has some good information:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8kNcaESoDng

@Caitwn Thank You! Been looking for that everywhere!

hearthwood

I maintain just by logging in on MFP. I weigh myself once a week, if I eat too much one day, I cut back the next. That's what works for me.

fiddletime

@Caitwyn. Thanks for the YouTube link. Very informative.

atypicalsmith

mccindy72 wrote: »

As someone who has been in maintenance for years, I can tell you it's about changing your life. You can't see it as a short road to a goal of losing weight, and then being done. You are setting out on a lifelong road. Changing your life is an ongoing learning process. It's not about working out or going on a miracle diet, it's about learning to change the way you view food.
Eating less is the key. Seriously. Portion control and variety, eating the right balance of macronutrients for your body. Being active is important too. Not necessarily "I have to exercise every day" but that moving is important.
Buying a food scale, learning about the right balance of food for your body, and what portion sizes are, are the first steps. Calculating your calorie deficit, and sticking to it every day. When you weigh all of your solid food, you realize just what a single serving is, and how many calories are in each serving of your food. Having a single serving of foods you enjoy keeps you on the right track, rather than depriving yourself of them, and later binging when you finally do eat them.
Long-term success is about knowledge, and tools. Having all of this in your hands and feeling comfortable with both makes you able to handle the challenge of weight loss and maintenance.

^^^Yes!