Holiday Maintanence

Keep logging, keep weighing yourself, learn to recover from overindulgences. For me, the diet never stops. But, I'm rarely hungry while on maintenance, so no complaints.

The only way is unfortunately to keep track and learn to say no, bank calories, and starve yourself during the day if you plan to indulge at dinner, lol.

For me, maintenance is maintenance in all aspects. I go through holidays, birthdays, and special occasions eating as I always do. It is rare that I overindulge. And I am not white-knuckling it during those times. If I see something that I would never have at home or in a restaurant or I'm on vacation, and I want it, I eat it, but I have found that small portions satisfy me far more than large ones. For example, a slice of pizza is fine for me, rather than half of one. But even then, having been on maintenance for three years and on weight loss for 2.5 before that, I find that my body doesn't crave unhealthy foods and if it does, and I give it what it asks for, it reacts by not feeling well physically from "foreign" foods. I guess what I am saying is that old adage that this is a lifestyle is so true, at least for me, and so I go into special occasions feeling just the same as I do every day.

None of us got fat only over-eating a handful of days a year. I plan on going (way) over (but not gorging myself until uncomfortable) on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Eve.

lorrpb wrote: »

I spent every day of my weight loss journey, which took 2 1/2 years, thinking about maintenance, trying to figure out what I had done wrong before to gain back weight and what I would do different this time. I realized I never had a "plan" for maintenance. I just thought that because I had worked so hard to lose, I would be able to keep it off! I came with a plan based on what I've read here on MFP and reasons people regain weight. In the end, it's alarmingly simple:

1. Set yourself a 5-10 lb maintenance range. When you get to the top or bottom of the range, adjust your calories by 100-200 per day until you're back in range. Even if you think it's water weight, when you hit the top of the range, make adjustments. It might be for a week or a month.
2. Weigh frequently. I weigh daily and log in a trending app like Happy Scale, Libra, or Trendweight. I actually use 2 apps on different devices.
3. Practice portion control. At big events, take about half the portion you think you want and don't take seconds. Limit bread and drinks to 1 or 2. Split desserts whenever possible or take half home.
4. If your activity level changes, adjust your calories accordingly. Do this regardless of the reason for the change in activity - choice, life stress, illness, or injury. If you move less, you must eat less. You do not gain weight because of the illness or injury, you gain weight because you do not adjust calories in for the change in calories out.

So far I have successfully maintained to the pound for 14 months, with fluctuations as much as 8 lbs, due mostly to travel. I've gained 2 lbs muscle and lost 2 lbs fat per dunk tank.

So much yes. I wish I had spent time planning for maintenance the first go round. I originally lost 54 pounds, and then gained them back (plus 8 more). I'm now about 20 pounds down again, and I am definitely thinking about maintenance. It took me 3 years to even start trying again. I don't want to do this again!

ridiculous59 wrote: »

I just got home from a "girls weekend". We had dinners at amazing restaurants where I ordered fish and extra vegetables both times, and had the best tiramisu I've ever eaten. We didn't snack all day. We walked miles around the city (btw, on Saturday one friend's fitbit said 13,000 steps and the other friend's said 19,000. How does that happen?). I drank some wine. Lots of wine in fact. And this week I will work hard at the gym and eat at a bit of a deficit till the scale is where it should be again.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but to me, this is exactly how maintenance is supposed to be.

Agree completely. The holidays really aren't much different for me than any other time of the year. There are always temptations to be had. It's about making choices that won't leave you feeling deprived, yet not going off the deep end. For example, when dining out I always choose the option that is the best combination of healthy and appealing. I am not going to order a dry chicken breast with rice and steamed veggies just because it's the lowest calorie option, but I can be just as satisfied by a good ciopinno in an Italian restaurant over a thick, rich bowl of fettuccine alfredo. And then I will split a dessert with my husband rather than eat an entire one by myself. Nowhere here do I feel like I have given anything up.

When we go to my in-laws for the holidays, my MIL always has a huge plate of cookies on the counter that she constantly refills. Instead of grabbing a cookie every time I walk by the plate, I pick one or two of my favorites and sit down with a cup of coffee or teas as an afternoon snack. This is a treat outside of my normal routine, but I am not going to pack on 5 lbs because of it.

Finally, keep moving. It's huge. I try to keep up with my daily exercise routines during the holidays, but when we are travelling and spending time with family, it's not always easy. I suggest family activities that include lots of moving around, like taking a walk to look at Christmas lights or doing a holiday 5K run. I always volunteer to help with the dished, play with the kids, take the dog for a walk, etc.

I am 5’9” and 62 yrs. I currently weigh 127.8 lbs. I said my goal was 127, but I am trying to get to 125 for a cushion. I was there a month ago, but had a birthday and starting eating desserts. I am back to strict calorie counting and eating more veggies.