Slowly gaining weight after a 40 pounds weight loss

Xiaolongbao

I don't think it's too bad if you don't let it get away from you. The trick is not to let a few pounds become 5 pounds or 10 or...

I've been at maintenance since July 2012. Because I NEVER want to have to lose 45 pounds again, I weigh myself everyday and allow a 2 pound fluctuation. When my weight is above that threshold (only happened a couple of times) I reduce my cals slightly or up the exercise for a week or two until it's back in range. It is much easier to lose 2 pounds than 20.

I agree. But that's what I'm saying (it sounds like you are similar to me). You've maintained for less than a year (although well done for even that long). You have to be prepared to be vigilant for the rest of your life.

I'm just saying it isn't only about losing weight in a sensible way. For many of us it will also require accepting that we're never going to not have to carefully monitor our weight.

isanomade

Thank you so much for your support! I bought the audio file "Four Day Wins" yesterday. It seems like a really good psychology book to help me with my weight loss goals. In an ideal world I want to loose the 10 pound I gained + another 15 pounds. You can ad me as a friend if you want to be part of that journey and I would be happy to support you in return.

luckyjuls

Was the diet that helped you lose sustainable to your lifestyle?

bcattoes

Your scenario is pretty common, I think. When losing weight there is a goal. And there is noticeable improvement that others compliment on. In maintenance, the goal is nothing. Not gaining is typically not noticed or complimented by others. We lose that momentum and that praise that kept us going. It's probably the biggest reason people yo-yo diet.

It might be helpful to set non-weight related goals for yourself. Whether it be eating related or fitness related. For you, perhaps small goals related to binging would be helpful.

isanomade

I started with the website fitday.com. Then I hit a long plateau and tried MFP instead. I like the format better.

sarah12277

I understand very well. If you're able to setup a sustainable lifestyle now without having another year go by with another 10 lbs added, I'd highly suggest that. I had lost 60 lbs in 2005. It took the 5 years after that to gain it all back. I had done the same roughly - add 10 lbs each year.

For me I stopped with the exercise I had done during loss so it's finding what you can keep doing as a lifestyle. Make sure your calories are at the optimum level for you, as it may help to not have binges.

Also be aware of what's the first thing that gets dropped when you're sliding up, and try to make sure that first thing doesn't slide.
I think it's mostly being mindful of what your state is in during weight loss and what it gets to in the upward slide.

For myself this time around, I am doing less exercise as I know that's the first to get dropped if I'm doing too much. It's just setting up the routine for myself and making sure it's at a level I can maintain for life. In the future, when I'm ready, I'll add more.

isanomade

Thanks, it does make sense. I know that the binge eating is the reason why I am gaining weight. I need to recreate that momentum again!

joe7880

I'd like to add that you will stay at the lower weight only if you maintain the lifestyle that got you there. Did you binge eat when you lost the weight? Also, you may want to explore seeing a therapist about why you binge eat to address the underlying reason because simply stopping is very difficult long-term without addressing the why you do it.

kristen6022

I feel ya. I hit my all time low weight in July 2012, 143. This morning I got on the scale and it read 153. I had lost a total of 47lbs. I know how I gained it, I went back to a lot of my old habits (drinking too much, eating too much and the wrong things, and stopped exercising). Today is my first day back to getting back to "new" habits. I learned my lesson. My goal is to get to 148 and continue to find time for exercise!