Living the Lifestyle, Tuesday Dec. 5, 2017

goldenfrisbee

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate, and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Thread starters for December are:

Monday - 88olds
Tuesday - goldenfrisbee
Wednesday - minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday - imastar2 (Derrick)
Friday - bwmalone

Topic: Weight Loss/Weight Gain

I've often heard and thought that it was so easy to gain weight and so hard to lose weight. Since August I've been on an upward trajectory with the only difference being that I've weighed myself along the way and I've kept short notes about where I was at in my head. Normally, when I'm not doing well in the mindfulness area, I don't weigh and I don't keep track of how I'm feeling, so this is really different.

What I have found is that it takes about the same amount of time to gain X pounds as it is to lose X pounds. It just seems like it takes longer to lose weight because I have to put effort in to it.

How about you?

Al_Howard

Yeah! That's why I've been fluctuating in about a 10 pound window for the last 3 years.

Rachel0778

I absolutely agree. It's the focus and the effort that makes it feel harder and longer of a process. I've also been on an upwards trajectory. Luckily being mindful has made it just 5-7lbs instead of the 10-15 it could have been! And I have been doing really well the past few weeks getting back into good habits. Christmas is going to be ROUGH, 3 sets of families across 3 states in 8 days, but at least it's all condensed this year and my headspace is in the right place.

88olds

In the end, I spent as much time losing as I did gaining. I rarely mention how long that was as I don't want to discourage others.

gadgetgirlIL

I also agree. No matter what I might think about the pace of gains/losses, looking at the trendlines in Happy Scale over the past few years puts things in the proper perspective.

beachwoman2006

Yup. It took me 22 months to lose 55 pounds. While it seems like the 9 pounds that I am above goal happened overnight, it didn't. It took me almost 12 years to gain that 9 pounds. It happened a little bit at a time -- the same way it happened when I was losing.

Out_of_Bubblegum

About the same, give or take. When I am really 100% focused, I lose faster than I usually gain.. but most of the time... about + or - 1 lb/week is my normal rate of gain or loss.

minimyzeme

Good question! Now that I think about it, it really does seem to take longer to lose but you're probably right @goldenfrisbee that it's more because of the pressure and 'effort' than it is actual time difference. I'll try to be more mindful of this in the future.

podkey

Yeah usually about the same time. Sure I can be up 4 lb overnight from salt load that takes a few days to readjust but in general creepage up and slow steady loss.

imastar2

I would say that for me it also takes about the same amount of time unless I let it go to far which is what has happened to me at this point and time. I can put on ten lbs in a blink of an eye like in 2-3 days if I get out of hand. Conversely if I get things under hand I can lose the same amount in about the same time frame. However if I keep gaining and it seems to be sticking with me and I continue creeping up or in an upward trend then it takes quite a bit longer to lose the weight.

So at this point I've put on about 25-30 lbs and it's the Christmas season and New Years holidays. I'm just focusing on it daily.


SW 400.8
CW 325.7
Next GW 300.0
Final GW 185.0

75.1 lbs Total lost