Losing again after 4 years of maintenance

nxd10
nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
in Goal: Maintaining Weight
After 4 years of maintenance, I gained 5 pounds over the winter. I've been back on a deficit for two months. Noticed a couple of things . . .
  1. It's a lot harder to lose weight when you're really close to your idea weight than when you start off 40 pounds away from it. I knew that was true when I was losing to start with, but I still expected it to roll off quickly. It didn't. It took me 3 weeks to drop that first pound, although it's suddenly started to pick up again. JUST like it did when I was at the end of my long long deficit.
  2. If I don't exercise, I don't lose. I don't have to exercise a lot, but I have to walk every day and hit those 10K steps. I can't just be 'active' around my day-to-day life.
  3. All those little things - one cookie, a bit of mayo, the other half of that bagel - all add up to the difference between losing and not losing.
  4. It feels GREAT to get on the scale and see those numbers go down. Every single morning. Maintenance feels wonderful. But losing is a lot more rewarding.
  5. That last 5 pounds makes a huge difference in how I look - even though my measurements haven't changed, I'm 5'10" tall, and you wouldn't think it is a big deal. It kind of is.

Really really happy to still be in maintenance and really happy to drop back down into the zone again.

Replies

  • ggeise14
    ggeise14 Posts: 387 Member
    Good for you for being aware and taking steps to stop the slide!
  • lululapagaille
    lululapagaille Posts: 84 Member
    Wow I really needed to read that ! I have put a few lbs on after reaching goal weight and maintaining since last November. (I lost 16 lbs in total and put on 6)
    I just can't seem to lose anymore and I've been feeling discouraged, but you're right, I just need more patience ! Lots more apparently !! :D
    Thanks !
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    I'm almost there - 2 more pounds to go. I did this two winters ago too. You can lose it.
  • ponycyndi
    ponycyndi Posts: 858 Member
    I maintained almost 3 years, when depression hit, and I medicated with food. 15 lbs later, I'm trying to get it back off again. It's not as hard as the first time, because I know what works now, but it sure feels slow. 9.5 lbs to go as of this AM.
  • RosieRose7673
    RosieRose7673 Posts: 438 Member
    Good job everyone on catching yourselves before the gain got too out of hand!

    I can definitely relate to the slight gain from depression for sure. I gained about 10 lb over the winter months. Not really from holiday food, but literally being to depressed to move and I just sat on my rear and ate. It happens. But when I started dealing with the depression, I was able to get back down to my normal weight again. I'm diagnosed bipolar and every few years, I get off my meds due to denial and hell breaks loose. So I know I need to keep emotionally stable to keep my weight stable which means sticking to my meds.

    It's all a work in progress!
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    You were smarter than me!
    I let myself gain 10lbs over winter after a flare up of my back injuries then was simply lazy about getting them off again. I needed a deadline and a subtle kick up the bum from a cycling buddy who just said "you're determined, you just have to decide you want to lose weight". So I booked a couple of long distance events that would be far easier not carrying extra chub to give me a nice SMART objective.

    My take on your points:
    1 - I didn't find it harder as regards results, just more of a PITA really! :) 10lbs lost in 11 weeks but very uneven progress (as usual for me).
    2 - Totally agree, I exercise a lot but find on a weights day that only gives me enough calories to eat enjoyably and hit maintenance goal. Cardio days give me a big buffer to eat a nice amount of food but still create a deficit. Luckily I really enjoy exercise.
    3 - Oh yes! A bit embarrassing when my food category "snacks" records more calories than my main meals.
    4 - I get more of a buzz from seeing increased muscle definition or pulling in my belt another notch. The number on the scales is more just a data thing for me with no emotion.
    5 - A disproportionate amount of the extra weight settles around my middle but arms and legs barely change so the last few pounds make a big difference appearance-wise.

    And you're right - maintenance is a happy place.
  • Theresaisdetermined
    Theresaisdetermined Posts: 2 Member
    I can really rlate to Sijomial, I have 13lbs to lose to get back to my target weight after about 3-4 years of maintaining a much bigger loss. I've been struggling for months hence joining here. I am 5ft so I completely agee height makes such as difference to the weight you can carry and your shape.

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