Maintainers - how do you keep your head in the game?

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Replies

  • skyqueen6
    skyqueen6 Posts: 8 Member
    I always want to go forward, never backward. I was in a lot of pain when I heavier. I log every day. I exercise about 4 days a week. I treat myself to a can of my favorite soda every day. I weigh myself about once a week.
  • HAS415
    HAS415 Posts: 48 Member
    I'd say exercise is the key. I've lost 130 lbs since April 2013. Staying active is key for me. Not only does it burn calories but if I never stop, and never sit, I can't eat. I usually don't eat until after my shift is done at work like 10:30 pm. Do as I say, not as I do. I've developed a bit of an eating disorder according to my trainer. Ideally you should eat 3 meals and 2 well balanced snacks a day and keep moving. They say to shoot for 10,000 steps a day. They add up quickly. Good luck!
  • ucabucca
    ucabucca Posts: 606 Member
    I still log but it is a life style for the most part yes at times I have treats but I don't do it on a regular basis. I love exercising and that helps
  • GBO323
    GBO323 Posts: 336 Member
    I hit maintenance in August 2014 and am on the fast track of learning. I will continue to log as it's very easy for me to mis-gauge my portions. I got a FitBit to track my 10000 steps but don't have it connected to MFP because I don't like to roller coaster on the scale that happens with it. Weekly weigh-ins just like before. Nothing different other than eating more food and keep weight gain at bay. A 5 pound variance is allowed with a 10 pound maximum gain. Easter to lose 10 than 78.

    In a nutshell, I track, move, weigh..adjust and repeat.
  • mitchiejo
    mitchiejo Posts: 179 Member
    I've been at maintenance for almost a year now. I find that logging everything I eat is #1 for keeping me on track. I also started doing strength training a year ago along with my cardio and love the results. If I find myself gaining a few pounds I just reevaluate what I've been doing. I fluctuate around +/- 5 pounds. Also since I will be 45 in a few weeks I've really been trying to eat healthier too.
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,039 Member
    BigGuy47 wrote: »
    I switched my goal from weight loss to fitness. Being over 50 I do strength training to improve my strength and reduce muscle loss. I think if my only goal was to lose weight, I would have stopped putting in the effort once I hit my goal.

    This ... and what others have said .. I only have clothes that fit in my closet, all others gone. and I log.
  • ianthy
    ianthy Posts: 404 Member
    kluvit wrote: »
    The only clothes I have are the ones that fit NOW, and I've invested a fortune in them, so I have tremendous motivation to make sure they continue to fit.

    To do so, I use the same tools that worked to help me lose:
    • I maintain a +/- 3 pound range, and reaching the +3 means going back to weight loss strategies...logging everything and staying within macros.
    • I take breaks from logging, but I always come back if I start developing bad habits, add new foods to my diet, want to focus on exercise goals, or start approaching the upper limit of my range.
    • I typically eat the same things, but when I add new foods or go to new restaurant, I plan accordingly.
    • I make choices based on my budget and decide what is "worth it" to me. I still eat some of my favorites such as breakfast tacos, french fries, and ice cream, but typically not all on the same day...all are fine as long as I've got enough calories in the budget.
    • I even plan for the occaissional binge weekend (2-3 times per year...vacation, holidays, etc.) by increasing workouts and decreasing calories to lose in advance to the lower end of my acceptable range.

    I like this approach.
  • 970Mikaela1
    970Mikaela1 Posts: 2,013 Member
    I log my food 90% of the time. weigh myself often. lift my weights religiously. enjoy any foods I so desire. been maintaining for almost two years.
  • skyqueen6
    skyqueen6 Posts: 8 Member
    I accidentally lost about 1 lb.
  • skyqueen6
    skyqueen6 Posts: 8 Member
    I finally have developed the habits to go back to eating healthy, not matter how bad a meal or day is. It almost takes effort to eat bad now for an extended amount of time because it's going against my habits. I can also really feel the unhealthy food making me unfocused and tired all the time. The trick is to go back to eating healthy as soon as possible and not let it go for weeks or months.

    Congratulations! Me too :)
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,345 Member
    edited November 2014
    I try to keep my weight at 134 lbs and no higher than 136.
    I keep focused on my fitness as I can pretty much eat what I want (in moderation) now. Mostly I make better choices and keep an eye on portion sizes.
    I have too many gorgeous UK size 10 clothes that I want to keep on fitting me lol...that keeps my eye on the ball!
  • brdnw
    brdnw Posts: 565 Member
    i weigh myself nonstop and have a designated range i'm allowed to be in depending on what i'm doing. I started to bulk up some and i said i wouldn't let myself get above 220 and now i'm trying to lean down and each week i have a designated weight that i want to be and i adhere to it. If i'm above where my range is, then i make myself do cardio more or be extra strict on my diet.