The thing that's worked best for me in maintaining..

Hey folks

Tiny bit of background, end of 2009 was rushing headlong into middle aged spread, high blood pressure and goodness knows what else. As a New Years resolution, i lost about 45 pounds doing a ton of cardio and eating pretty small.

After the initial success, i had a few ups and downs and bounced up and down with weight and fitness. Famine, feasting, training, nights out etc. i could train hard for a week, then have a few beers on friday, eat pizza on the way home, lie about sat and eat rubbish - sometimes continuining until the sunday night, only to start all over again with the training on the monday. The past few months I decided to stop the cycles and struggled to see how i could do it.

I switched to whats pretty much the Dukan diet - tons of protein, no sweet treats, tons of shakes, eggs, etc. The last 7 weeks have been a revelation - basically a light just went on. I think what i;ve learned most with me is - ANY FOOD CHOICE AFFECTS THE NEXT. i know some people can get a happy medium, but i think a lot of us might be in the same boat. Eat something salty, sugary or fatty - and the next meal the temptation and increasing desire is there for more of the same. Someone who quit smoking will know that after 6 months, you still shouldnt have one or it sets you off again, at least seriously messes with your balance, i think its almost the same with food.

I dont know how anyone could have a fried breakfast with all the trimmings and then find it easy to eat clean for the rest of the day.. Maybe it's a food addiction thing, but no matter how long i abstained - the second i ate rubbish it messed with my wiring and i wanted more. so now instead of dipping my toes into the water and partially indulging, i just dont - as i know for me that it will make me start craving the rubbish again. I've not touched alcohol in 7 weeks and thats helped - might just go fully teetotal - not had chocolate, crisps, pizza, anything at all - and neither do i desire any of that stuff.

i know it might sound kind of extreme to some, i hope it helps at least one person who is in a similar position. i have a ton of treats now, but they're non-food, i'll reward myself with a new book, a great post workout burn or a new tune for training to.

hope i havent offended anyone, i really do think that one choice leads to another with food - i'm sure some of us know that feeling - well i'll continue to enjoy myself until monday / next month / new year then i'll make a sacrifice and start eating healthy.