I've maintained for a year!!!
pinkteapot3
Posts: 157 Member
First time ever!
I've been on a yo-yo cycle over the years, losing down to 135-140lbs (my happy weight), gaining to 160lbs (the point where I get fed up), losing again...
I've never maintained for this long!
I have:
That's it really! Accurate and honest logging is the key, just as with losing. And not giving up when you have a couple of bad days because the willpower WILL return.
And not beating yourself up if you have a day with lots of food because one occasional day doesn't make a blind bit of difference.
I've been on a yo-yo cycle over the years, losing down to 135-140lbs (my happy weight), gaining to 160lbs (the point where I get fed up), losing again...
I've never maintained for this long!
I have:
- kept logging EVERYTHING - even if I have a day where I go nuts and eat a ton, I log it all (think my record is 2,300 cals over target!)
- weighed regularly, but slowly less frequently - when I hit maintenance I was still obsessively weighing a couple of times a week - now I can go a few weeks without, but I weigh at least once a month, usually every couple of weeks, so I can catch it if I were to start gaining again
- kept up the exercise routine I got into - I didn't do it just for weight loss anyway - I feel healthier and, more importantly, happier for it. I'd been through a rough time personally late 2014 and was struggling with depression and anxiety. Exercise had gone out of the window and those bl**dy 20lbs came back on. I re-lost them yet again Jan-Apr last year, got back into running and cycling, and haven't stopped since.
That's it really! Accurate and honest logging is the key, just as with losing. And not giving up when you have a couple of bad days because the willpower WILL return.
And not beating yourself up if you have a day with lots of food because one occasional day doesn't make a blind bit of difference. 0
Replies
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That is awesome!0
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Fantastic keep up the good work
3+ years at maintenance and I agree with your points - although recently I've stopped logging my food and its going remarkably well (I realise its not ideal for everyone).
Frequent weigh ins are a must so we can nip any would be gain in the bud.
Well done 0 -
Great job! And I second the logging everything-I stopped after I went into maintenance and I was able to make it work for a while, but the further away from the weight loss phase I got, the easier it was to get sloppy. I'm now back to logging and will never stop 0
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WOOT WOOT!
Keep up the great efforts... 0 -
CONGRATS!!!!!
I'm hitting the 5 year mark Monday and still log regularly/almost daily.0 -
Really impressive accomplishment. Thanks for tip on the consistent logging. Great idea.
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Congrats to all the long-term maintainers - amazing achievements!!
Maybe, one day, I'll stop logging or log less often. I'm not convinced though as I just love wine and chocolate too much and I'm not good at judging for myself whether I've had too much or not.
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You are a true inspiration to all maintainers... 0
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Thats awesome, keep it up, I'm 2 months in, so far I lost 2 more lb so probably should increase calories , but debating whether or not I should leave it as is for now because summer vacations approaching, I'm going to eat out and perhaps have more ice screams than I shouldpinkteapot3 wrote: »First time ever!
I've been on a yo-yo cycle over the years, losing down to 135-140lbs (my happy weight), gaining to 160lbs (the point where I get fed up), losing again...
I've never maintained for this long!
I have:- kept logging EVERYTHING - even if I have a day where I go nuts and eat a ton, I log it all (think my record is 2,300 cals over target!)
- weighed regularly, but slowly less frequently - when I hit maintenance I was still obsessively weighing a couple of times a week - now I can go a few weeks without, but I weigh at least once a month, usually every couple of weeks, so I can catch it if I were to start gaining again
- kept up the exercise routine I got into - I didn't do it just for weight loss anyway - I feel healthier and, more importantly, happier for it. I'd been through a rough time personally late 2014 and was struggling with depression and anxiety. Exercise had gone out of the window and those bl**dy 20lbs came back on. I re-lost them yet again Jan-Apr last year, got back into running and cycling, and haven't stopped since.
That's it really! Accurate and honest logging is the key, just as with losing. And not giving up when you have a couple of bad days because the willpower WILL return. And not beating yourself up if you have a day with lots of food because one occasional day doesn't make a blind bit of difference.
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Nice!! That is no small feat! You should register with the NWCR, and continue inspiring all others. 0
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Congratulations!!! Maintenance is the hardest part. I'm looking forward to being where you are.0
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Way to go! You are awesome. 0
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I love to read success stories! Amazing tips on staying in maintenance. As of right now, I'm 25 days into maintenance and stopped logging on Day 1. I know, I know! I may be setting myself up for failure. However, I gave myself a 5 lbs maintenance range and will start logging daily again if I find I cannot accomplish this with my training wheels off.
Inspiring story! Thanks for sharing and congratulations to you!0 -
Good job!
NWCR is the National Weight Control Registry. They collect data from those that are successfully maintaining and share their research findings for benefit of others.
http://nwcr.ws/0 -
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Congrats and good advice! I'm working on re-losing some weight that I gained back after a 65 lb loss and your advice is helpful!0
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Congratulations! Staying there is the hardest part. And goal. Because the point isn't to take it off, it's to stay that healthy weight forever. Yay!0
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@pinkteapot3 - Congratulations. Awesome job of maintaining.
I reached my goal weight on May 31, 2015. But then decided I wanted to lose some more. I have lost 12 more lbs since then. I log almost every day. Just not on vacation and a few celebratory days. I weigh almost every day too.
Have learned to like so many new and delicious vegetables and nutritious foods.
I am 68 and have lost 45 lbs in the last 4 years and do not want to gain it back for obvious health reasons. Have also learned to love exercise at this late stage of my life.
Thanks to MFP and all the encouragement from everyone on here.0 -
Congrats! I've been in maintenance for 3 months (sort of). My doctor has told me not to lose anymore. My goal range 166 - 174 (+/- 4 of 170). Today I weighed in at 165.2, so I don't really have it down yet.0
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Congrats!!0
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Congratulations and excellent tips!! Thanks!! I have just started my maintenance journey. Well done to you0
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Keep up the good work. I have been a MFP fan for years now and love it. Initially lost 40+ lbs and have been able to maintain for almost 5 years! I still log in daily and have no intention of stopping. Keeps me focused on healthy eating and living0
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lisamarieb64mfp wrote: »CONGRATS!!!!!
I'm hitting the 5 year mark Monday and still log regularly/almost daily.
Hey, me too! I'm having my 5 year maintenance anniversary this summer!
A lot of people are saying that maintaining is the hardest part, but I disagree. Losing and maintaining use exactly the same concepts. Once you learn the basics of MFP, you just keep doing it. When you've mastered your healthy habits through the weight loss process, I think it's even easier to maintain because you get more calories. And if you're following your healthy new habits and paying attention to your body in maintenance, you can catch yourself slipping in the very early stages and easily get right back on track. You got this, OP!
Good luck everyone!
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lisamarieb64mfp wrote: »CONGRATS!!!!!
I'm hitting the 5 year mark Monday and still log regularly/almost daily.
Hey, me too! I'm having my 5 year maintenance anniversary this summer!
A lot of people are saying that maintaining is the hardest part, but I disagree. Losing and maintaining use exactly the same concepts. Once you learn the basics of MFP, you just keep doing it. When you've mastered your healthy habits through the weight loss process, I think it's even easier to maintain because you get more calories. And if you're following your healthy new habits and paying attention to your body in maintenance, you can catch yourself slipping in the very early stages and easily get right back on track. You got this, OP!
Good luck everyone!
Day 1 of maintenance after losing 75 lbs in 12 months and thanks, that's the best thing I've read all day.0 -
Excellent!0
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Congratulations and thanks for the great tips!
Coming up on 2 years maintenance and still log everything, even when I'm way over daily calories. Keeps me aware and honest 0 -
Awesome job!!0
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Congrats to Ms. Teapot and all the rest of y'all! I don't yet qualify for the National Weight Control Registry - I'm 5 months into maintenance0
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