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Successfully Maintained - it IS possible.

GemmaRowlands
Posts: 360 Member
A while ago, I made a promise to a friend on here that after a year from hitting my "goal weight" (136lbs lighter than my start weight), I would come back and let you know how I'm getting on.
Being honest, I forgot, so it is actually 17 months rather than 12 months later, but my story is still the same.
When I reached my "goal" in December 2012, I was understandably worried about being able to maintain the weight. I've read so many stories about people having to lose weight again and again because they just gain it straight back as soon as they started dieting. So I decided that I would continue to log on MFP. Not as religiously as I would have done, but just every now and again to make sure that my portion sizes were still good, and that I wasn't eating too many snacks.
Weight when I started in 2011: 20st 6lbs (286lbs I think - sorry if my maths isn't right on this one).
Weight when goal hit in Dec 2012: 10st 10lbs (150lbs)
WEIGHT TODAY: 10st 6lbs (146lbs).
So, I have not only maintained my weight, but have actually lost an extra 4lbs besides. I don't feel as though I'm starving at any time, and I never feel as though I'm going without the food that I enjoy. Of course, it is much different to my diet when I was my start weight, because my entire relationship with food has been changed during this long and tiring (at times) process. Also I am naturally more active. I won't drive to nearby shops anymore, I'll just walk, and I hardly ever go anywhere near a lift (and we live on the third floor of an apartment block so this is a lot of exercise on a daily basis).
Sorry that this update is later than promised! But I hope that I can add some motivation for those who are worrying about being able to keep the weight off. You will have learned a lot of valuable lessons about food and lifestyle that will help you.
Feel free to add me as a friend to keep updated - I love to hear from people & answer questions and chat! So just click the "add" button! Before/after photos are on my profile - the pic in the stripy top is, actually, exactly a year old today. Only a few pounds lighter so don't think there's much point taking another pic!
xx
Being honest, I forgot, so it is actually 17 months rather than 12 months later, but my story is still the same.
When I reached my "goal" in December 2012, I was understandably worried about being able to maintain the weight. I've read so many stories about people having to lose weight again and again because they just gain it straight back as soon as they started dieting. So I decided that I would continue to log on MFP. Not as religiously as I would have done, but just every now and again to make sure that my portion sizes were still good, and that I wasn't eating too many snacks.
Weight when I started in 2011: 20st 6lbs (286lbs I think - sorry if my maths isn't right on this one).
Weight when goal hit in Dec 2012: 10st 10lbs (150lbs)
WEIGHT TODAY: 10st 6lbs (146lbs).
So, I have not only maintained my weight, but have actually lost an extra 4lbs besides. I don't feel as though I'm starving at any time, and I never feel as though I'm going without the food that I enjoy. Of course, it is much different to my diet when I was my start weight, because my entire relationship with food has been changed during this long and tiring (at times) process. Also I am naturally more active. I won't drive to nearby shops anymore, I'll just walk, and I hardly ever go anywhere near a lift (and we live on the third floor of an apartment block so this is a lot of exercise on a daily basis).
Sorry that this update is later than promised! But I hope that I can add some motivation for those who are worrying about being able to keep the weight off. You will have learned a lot of valuable lessons about food and lifestyle that will help you.
Feel free to add me as a friend to keep updated - I love to hear from people & answer questions and chat! So just click the "add" button! Before/after photos are on my profile - the pic in the stripy top is, actually, exactly a year old today. Only a few pounds lighter so don't think there's much point taking another pic!

0
Replies
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Well done, you've done an amazing job, firstly loosing the weight and secondly maintaining.0
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That's great to hear - well done! I'm a way away from target at the moment but maintenance already scares me more than actually losing the weight!0
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Awesome, amazing job! You look fantastic! Thank you so much for posting.:drinker: :flowerforyou:0
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You look awesome. Great job on maintaining!0
This discussion has been closed.
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