The Maintenance Appreciation Thread
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Four years here and had to smile at this post. Loved the comments about being able to fit into the same clothes, year after year, instead of finding them too tight or having to buy larger sizes. I so relate to that. For me, maintenance has not been all that difficult ... it's just the same as losing but with more calories. It's a lifestyle change, for sure, and good habits replaced bad ones. Congrats to all of us!!!14
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Really inspiring stories here people - thank you! I have been maintaining for just over three months now - for the first time in my life, I am not on my way up or down and it feels amazing. Still takes so much work though so well done everyone x x7
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Also there should totally be a maintenance ticker!!!10
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I love this post! Maintenance is definitely something to be proud of.
I started losing in 2007 and hit my all-time lowest weight in 2015 (down about 140 from my heaviest). I have put on 16 lb since then. I do go up and down. Sometimes I feel like I've failed because I have not stayed at that magical lowest. But maintaining 120+ weight loss at ALL times for the past four years makes me feel very proud. In the past 2 months I've gone back down 3-5 lb and feel inordinately psyched yet again!
When I was losing, a lot of people commented on how slowly it was happening. MOST people in my life truly didn't even notice until I'd been working hard for years and lost about 80 lb. I know quite a few people who have quickly lost over 100 and put it back on just as quickly. I want to be the odd one out who keeps it off. So far, so good!
One of my favorite compliments is a friend saying "It seems like you have been skinny forever, I can barely remember that!" on seeing an old photo of me at size 26. It's not that I am skinny (still definitely a little overweight and curvy, and happy with it)...but I know what she meant, and it made me feel awesome.24 -
seltzermint555 wrote: »I love this post! Maintenance is definitely something to be proud of.
I started losing in 2007 and hit my all-time lowest weight in 2015 (down about 140 from my heaviest). I have put on 16 lb since then. I do go up and down. Sometimes I feel like I've failed because I have not stayed at that magical lowest. But maintaining 120+ weight loss at ALL times for the past four years makes me feel very proud. In the past 2 months I've gone back down 3-5 lb and feel inordinately psyched yet again!
When I was losing, a lot of people commented on how slowly it was happening. MOST people in my life truly didn't even notice until I'd been working hard for years and lost about 80 lb. I know quite a few people who have quickly lost over 100 and put it back on just as quickly. I want to be the odd one out who keeps it off. So far, so good!
One of my favorite compliments is a friend saying "It seems like you have been skinny forever, I can barely remember that!" on seeing an old photo of me at size 26. It's not that I am skinny (still definitely a little overweight and curvy, and happy with it)...but I know what she meant, and it made me feel awesome.
What a great compliment! Congrats on maintaining for 4 years, that’s an amazing accomplishment indeed! I know when looking back at some of my old photos people will say that they don’t remember me being obese/overweight but I sure remember!3 -
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seltzermint555 wrote: »One of my favorite compliments is a friend saying "It seems like you have been skinny forever, I can barely remember that!" on seeing an old photo of me at size 26. It's not that I am skinny (still definitely a little overweight and curvy, and happy with it)...but I know what she meant, and it made me feel awesome.
I only started paddling SUP after losing the weight and have made friends in paddling groups who only know me as a fit guy. I have gotten a few "you're so lucky" or "you wouldn't understand" comments from heavier people. Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I let it slide when I feel like all they would hear is "you're wrong; it can be done if you are dedicated". The dark side of it is sometimes I hear some comments about overweight people from other fit people that are pretty derogatory.10 -
CarvedTones wrote: »seltzermint555 wrote: »One of my favorite compliments is a friend saying "It seems like you have been skinny forever, I can barely remember that!" on seeing an old photo of me at size 26. It's not that I am skinny (still definitely a little overweight and curvy, and happy with it)...but I know what she meant, and it made me feel awesome.
I only started paddling SUP after losing the weight and have made friends in paddling groups who only know me as a fit guy. I have gotten a few "you're so lucky" or "you wouldn't understand" comments from heavier people. Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I let it slide when I feel like all they would hear is "you're wrong; it can be done if you are dedicated". The dark side of it is sometimes I hear some comments about overweight people from other fit people that are pretty derogatory.
I know what you mean. I work with people who have only known me when I was about 20 lb heavier than I am now. So if I ever mention weight loss/healthy eating in conversation, they're thinking that I mean the difference between being like 2 sizes larger versus now. They think I was a little plump and now less so...they don't know I was morbidly obese for many years and know a lot more about "the struggle" than they think I do. For reference my "before" pic on my avatar was well below my heaviest, so I was massive. It can be a little weird at times. I usually don't go into more detail though.
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seltzermint555 wrote: »CarvedTones wrote: »seltzermint555 wrote: »One of my favorite compliments is a friend saying "It seems like you have been skinny forever, I can barely remember that!" on seeing an old photo of me at size 26. It's not that I am skinny (still definitely a little overweight and curvy, and happy with it)...but I know what she meant, and it made me feel awesome.
I only started paddling SUP after losing the weight and have made friends in paddling groups who only know me as a fit guy. I have gotten a few "you're so lucky" or "you wouldn't understand" comments from heavier people. Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I let it slide when I feel like all they would hear is "you're wrong; it can be done if you are dedicated". The dark side of it is sometimes I hear some comments about overweight people from other fit people that are pretty derogatory.
I know what you mean. I work with people who have only known me when I was about 20 lb heavier than I am now. So if I ever mention weight loss/healthy eating in conversation, they're thinking that I mean the difference between being like 2 sizes larger versus now. They think I was a little plump and now less so...they don't know I was morbidly obese for many years and know a lot more about "the struggle" than they think I do. For reference my "before" pic on my avatar was well below my heaviest, so I was massive. It can be a little weird at times. I usually don't go into more detail though.
If anyone makes any kind of remarks regarding my weight or eating habits, I love to whip out the before pics and show them how obese I used to be. They’ve usually found it quite inspiring that I was able to get down to a healthy weight in middle age. When they ask me what “diet” I followed and I say “no diet, I just counted calories” they are quite surprised but soon lose interest because calorie counting just isn’t very exciting14 -
Yeppers!
Congrats to all us maintainers..... I was slim all my life until I got a chronic autoimmune disease in 2010 and consequently gained 35ish lbs. My weight loss journey started mid November 5 years ago and I reached my goal weight the following March 5th (2014.). I'm about to turn 55, so no middle age excuses cut it with me :cheer:8 -
My first time I have ever been on Maintenance. I have lost weight but never kept it off until this time,
My most recent weight loss began 2013 @376 at age 65.
2018 I made Goal with WW and Lifetime in May 2018.
Finding Maintenance is learning that how my weight goes up/down has been “interesting”.
As the old adage says:
Being overweight is hard.
Losing weight is hard.
Maintaining your Goal Weight is hard.
PICK the one you want to deal with for the rest of your life!
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Love this thread. I’m in maintenance at the moment and it truly is like losing—just with more calories. I plan to hopefully maintain for a while and then maybe try for the last 5 pounds I’d ideally like to drop.
I feel like maintenance is underrated (not on here, but in general) but I’ve never been in this position before and felt any sort of control, so what do I know! lol.2 -
I also vote that MFP should let you clear out your food diary and start over once you’ve maintained for a year. It still pops up stuff like chocolate cake when I add broccoli, or peanut butter when I add bread. Would love to clear the cache of all the crap food and have a fresh and shiny diary.8
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I love this, thank you for posting. I maintained from last November to last month when I gained back 4 solid lbs. doesn't sound like much. my clothes fit but are a bit snug. Grand kids moved in temporarily & it was so chaotic I didn't weigh/log rest of day after brunch. I'm back to it now. It really has been an effort all this time since I've been a little hungrier since maintaining. I watched a new show on Netflix called "Ask the Doctor" each episode is about a different health aspect. There was one on losing/maintaining weight & the research they did said after a person loses weight, their hormones make them have more of an appetite & that's why most ppl gain it back. Hope to be a true maintainer again soon7
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I started my weight loss journey in 2011 with another online calorie count program until the site was terminated. My weight loss journey began in February 2011... and by November 2011 I was 35 pounds down and at goal weight. The previous site attempted to transition everyone to a new site which I didn't care for, so I stopped logging for about a year and regained 10 pounds. Came over to MFP in August 2017 but didn't get serious until October 2017. I, subsequently, lost the 10 pounds and was back in maintenance in January 2018. Technically, I've been at this for 7 years. I agree with all of you that maintaining is every bit as difficult as losing; and tracking or logging food is essential for continued success. I do participate monthly in the MFP Ultimate Accountability Challenge which you can search for under Community>Groups>Ultimate Accountability Challenge. It is a supportive group regardless of whether you are attempting to lose weight, maintain weight or gain weight. There are several maintainers in the group, including myself, with the same objective of leading a healthy lifestyle. The rules are simple and concise, no one dictates what you can or can't eat, and you decide for yourself what your daily exercise will be based on your own limitations. You might check it out here. https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/129035-ultimate-accountability-challenge-november-2018 I invite any of you who are interested to join us. Kind regards.2
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Yes! I had pointed out in my thread yesterday that I LITERALLY do not know one single person in real life that is going through this. I don’t have one friend, family member or co-worker that has lost 100#. My entire network of people are thin, normal, or slightly chubby - not one is obese. They all watched me lose the weight back in 2012 and gain it all back, so I think they’re even afraid to even engage.
Y’all are my life line. My only source of experienced losers (I mean that with love). The wise ones.Yes! I had pointed out in my thread yesterday that I LITERALLY do not know one single person in real life that is going through this. I don’t have one friend, family member or co-worker that has lost 100#. My entire network of people are thin, normal, or slightly chubby - not one is obese. They all watched me lose the weight back in 2012 and gain it all back, so I think they’re even afraid to even engage.
Y’all are my life line. My only source of experienced losers (I mean that with love). The wise ones.Yes! I had pointed out in my thread yesterday that I LITERALLY do not know one single person in real life that is going through this. I don’t have one friend, family member or co-worker that has lost 100#. My entire network of people are thin, normal, or slightly chubby - not one is obese. They all watched me lose the weight back in 2012 and gain it all back, so I think they’re even afraid to even engage.
Y’all are my life line. My only source of experienced losers (I mean that with love). The wise ones.
You can do it! Keep up the good work!1 -
For everyone who is maintaining during the holidays... YOU ARE AMAZING!!! It’s certainly not easy with all the family gatherings and good food to eat! And even if we do gain a few pounds, we know what it takes to get back to maintenance range weight! Keep fighting the good fight!5
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monkeefan1974 wrote: »For everyone who is maintaining during the holidays... YOU ARE AMAZING!!! It’s certainly not easy with all the family gatherings and good food to eat! And even if we do gain a few pounds, we know what it takes to get back to maintenance range weight! Keep fighting the good fight!
Ditto!1 -
The holidays don't have to be impossible if you get a routine going, IMO.
My weekends are regularly scheduled to be debauchery. I eat the rest of the week sparsely so I can swing that.
I have a holiday party Wednesday. This is outside my routine, so I'm going to skip breakfast and my usual bedtime snack and do an extra workout to support the calorie bomb-age that may occur. Problem averted. And I can even enjoy myself within reason.
Things that I know I can't mitigate, I set limits to or avoid.
I've gone multiple years without gaining over the holidays like this.
HTH someone somewhere.
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I hit my GW in March of 2017 so this will be my second holiday season maintaining. I got through Thanksgiving, and a party brunch that turned into a day last weekend. Got some other things coming up but I keep my eye on them and make sure it's not more than once or twice a week going moderately over. If I keep my eye on my fruit and veg intake and make sure to get those taken care of, there's less room for the rest anyway. Now I'm hitting up Universal Studios this weekend and intend to eat all three meals at the Three Broomsticks and sample whatever snacks I feel like. I do wonder if they'll let me take in a couple apples though?3
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