How do you when your changes are for good?

hill2302

I've dropped about 35 lbs in total over the past year or so, more than 1/2 of it since joinging MFP. i still have a little ways to go, but I had this thought and question...

How do you when/if these lifestyle changes are for good?

You hear about people losing and gaining and falling off the wagon etc... How do you know when what you've found is "it" and going to stick?

This is really the first time in my life, I've tried to lose weight. I just didn't really care all that much before I finally decided to make a change. So it's been heartening to see what I could do when I put my mind to it. BUT I'm scared that somewhere down the line, something is going to switch back in my head and I'll fall back into bad old habits. I don't know why I say that except for all the stories I've heard about people losing 30 lbs only to put back the 30 later and then some.

I'm at a point where I HAVE to buy some new pants, as mine are falling down and I can only "cinch" them so much with a belt. Yeah for NSV!!! Can I safely donate all my "big" pants? Should I be cautious and keep them in the back of the closet?

If you ask me if I'll ever go back to eating 20 Hooter's hot wings with a side of curly fries and a large Dr. Pepper, I'll tell you No. I'll recall how deliious they are, but I also now know how many days worth of calories that meal is worth and cringe at the thought of wasting my calories on something like that.

I'd like to think I'm at a point where I know I'll never fall into those habits again. I've been logging religiously since around Xmas so is 3 months enough to break 30 years of bad eating habits?

So how do you know when you're there, even if you haven't reached your goal weight or fitness level?

sandram82

Sounds to me like your there... you know that certain meals are soooo not worth the calories.. and its now a lifestyle change.. dont beat yourself up over a bad day or 2.. just get back on track the next day... if you feel your falling of the wagon.. post it here.. and the support will help you back on track!!
Keep up the great work!

mrsknotts

I feel the same way! I lost about 50lbs last year and started mfp in Jan. to use just as a food journal. I began snacking and allowing myself to eat things I normally wouldn't just because I had hit my goal. I've since gained back about 15 pounds and I'm ashamed to say it. But the important thing to remember is that I know where I went wrong. I stopped eating the healthy food that I knew was good for me and forgot how good exercise felt. Since accepting that my weight will always fluctuate I'm using mfp to maintain my weight. I've even lost a few of what I gained back. There is always support on here and encouragement. Just keep with it and never think that one bad day will throw you off track.

And get rid of the fat pants!! Keeping them almost gives you an excuse to slack off because they're comfy. You can do this!!!

sprinkies

i think everyone is meant to fall of the bandwagon for a meal or two, but as long as you get back on immediately after a bad day, then the changes are good. it's scary to hear about the people who lose the weight (and a large amount) only to put it back on. that's why i think MFP is so beneficial though because it's not a "diet" like WW, nutrisystem, etc. it's teaching you how the food you eat in everyday life can affect your body. and you really can learn what to eat and what not to eat. i plan to use MFP for at least another 6 months if not longer to keep my weight where it needs to be. it took me 7 months to lose my entire 40 pounds and i know if i stop logging i WILL fail. i know i will cheat if i don't log so i need something to keep me accountable.

W0zzie

I'm quite likely passing on info you already know but just in case have you seen this thread

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10665-newbies-please-read-me-2nd-edition

and in particular a linked thread from there

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/9433-expectations

Not sure the answer actually lies there but it certainly gave me errr "food" for thought.

Cheers

hill2302

Oh I love MFP and it has been intrumental in keeping me on track. I don't think I've been over my maintenance calories but 1-2 times since starting to log my meals.

I'm sure that as long as I'm logging I'll always be in control of my caloric intake. But I can't imagine that 40years from now, I'll still have my phone in hand and be logging my metamucil and prunes. I by no means have plans to stop logging anytime soon, but I know I'm going to feel like stopping sometime in the future.

At some point, the training wheels have to come off the bike.

mikeyml

I think about this a lot since I'm one of the people that's lost a lot of weight in the past and then gained it all back. I've never been able to maintain it. But the way I look at is this - I was never really educated about how to maintain my weight. I would lose the weight and then go back to eating whatever I wanted to. You said in your post that you wouldn't want to go back to eating the way you did before and I think that is a major decision that will help you keep the weight off.

Of course that doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself. Every two weeks I purposely eat more calories than I'm supposed to for one day to kind of keep things realistic, enjoy good food, and confuse my metabolism. I think it's important to know that you can't go back to eating crap 100% of the time but every once in a while it's ok to treat yourself. As long as you keep planning healthy, balanced meals for 98% of your regular diet then you won't gain the weight back.

My last note is I think it's important to constantly set goals for yourself. I've noticed that a lot of my MFP friends who have lost a lot of weight continue to set new goals like 5k times, body fat, more muscles, etc. I think that if you're constantly working to improve your body then you will keep the weight off.