Are you keeping it off?

ctalimenti

To those of you who've been thin before 40 and them bam, metabolism changes, maybe appetite increases and voila, weight goes on.

Are you keeping if off? What are your strategies?

I've stopped logging a few times and gained 5-7 lbs within a few months. I know I will have to be mindful of my caloric intake the rest of my life.

How about you?

AmyRhubarb

Yep, started working out and watching food three, almost four years ago now? Stopped and started a few times, lost some, gained some back, lost it again. Finally got tired of the up and down, back and forth, stopping and starting and resolved that it wasn't going to happen any more. Today I logged my 665th straight day on MFP, and yes, I have logged my food every single day. :bigsmile:

I hit goal weight (at long last) back in March, and am still working on lowering body fat percentage while not worrying so much about the scale. I have slacked off a bit over the past few weeks as far as discipline - birthdays, grad parties, vacation and it's summer - decided this morning I'm sort of just cruising until school starts again. Still logging foods and sticking to goals, exercising, etc, but I have realized I tend to refocus and get more driven when fall rolls around - school starts, routines become more important, schedules fall into place.

But yes, I've kept it off, still wearing my new, smaller clothes without any problems. Happy I've implemented healthy habits and calorie goals that are realistic and sustainable - holidays, birthdays, vacations, etc don't derail me anymore, it all fits into my goals, and that's why I know I won't put the weight back on.

Lorichr

I lost 30 pounds slowly over a year and have been maintaining for the past year and a half. I log every day to keep myself mindful and I exercise. Much as you said I have realized that I will have to stay vigilant on calories the rest of my life to maintain my weight.

I don't consider any food off limits. My carbs are mostly whole grain which I have grown to love. I enjoy moderate beer and wine; but certainly not every day. I love sweets but only indulge in a really decadent dessert occasionally and try to keep to a reasonable portion. Nothing is forbidden, I just can't eat it every day and as much as I want.

When I finally decided I needed to lose weight I approached it as a lifestyle change as opposed to a diet that was going to be over once I reached my goal. The only thing that would have frustrated me more than allowing myself to gain 30 pounds would be to be right back to needing to lose it due to going back to old habits.

It's a struggle, no doubt. Every so often I miss the days of eating and not caring. But it is so completely worth it, for my looks, my body and my health.

Romey5

I am one of those who was thin before 30, then my metabolism started to slow down. I also started to enjoy cooking in my 30's, butter, bread and wine anyone? I gained 20lbs before I knew what was going on. I yoyo'd for a while trying to find my balance. Now at 40 I am at a great low weight and have been maintaining for the last year or so.

My strategies: Food logging, It totally works! I monitor everything I eat. When I stop logging I gain weight also, about 5-7 lbs just in a few months for me too! Also, I have started exercising hard and consistently. I love to join challenges on MFP. I finished the squat challenge and am finishing up the 30 DS challenge this month. I hate the treadmill, but love workout DVDs. I am thinking about doing Insanity in July :-)