Guys on a Diet (GoaD)

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Winter weight gain

Philtex
Philtex Posts: 1,447 Member
in Social Groups

I gained about five pounds over the winter. That doesn't seem to be too much that I couldn't lose it and get back to my target weight, but I seem to have settled for it. I don't feel overweight, and my clothes still fit. I am just not motivated to do what it takes drop the excess weight. I know that the big risk here is that a small increase from here turns that 5 pounds into 7 or 10 or more, and then I'd really have a problem.

Let me open this up to my pals the Goadies. Is it okay to settle for this, at least for a while? Is somebody up for a challenge/ contest that might provide that missing motivation? Maybe I just need a good ol' Goad KITA like in the old WW days. The floor is open.

Replies

  • steve0mania
    steve0mania Posts: 3,222 Member

    This has been a long-term struggle for me. I am "happiest" when I'm in the 130-135 pound range, but over the years have settled into the 140-145 pound range. I've done all of the rationalizations that come with our territory, for example, "I don't feel overweight and my clothes still fit." Over time, those extra pounds became the new normal, and the push to take them back off again dwindles further and further down my priority list, even though I know I could take that weight off whenever I felt like it.

    I guess I'm arguing that you really do need to be careful, and decide whether you're willing to sit at that higher weight until the mood strikes you to lose it, or whether you're going to be diligent and keep your weight in the range you really prefer.

    Personally, I wish I hadn't settled for the higher weight and had buckled back down years ago!

  • Philtex
    Philtex Posts: 1,447 Member

    Thanks Steve. You really get it. I do have to decide.

  • Jerdtrmndone
    Jerdtrmndone Posts: 6,012 Member

    I am not lifetime any more. Any kind of gain could turn into more gains. It I'd difficult for me to lose although since rejoining WW online with my wife things are looking better.

  • whathapnd
    whathapnd Posts: 1,354 Member

    Phil, if I showed you 13 years of my weight-tracker data between October-December, I think it might serve as a cautionary tale to not settle. I seem to never fully get those end-of-year pounds off, and the compouning just seemed to happen while I couldn't be bothered to care enough. I had a huge realization about this fact last year and realized that my long-term success will be greatly influenced by actively managing the last three-four months of the year - - maybe forever.

    My questions for you are:

    1. How much mental pain are those five pounds causing you?
    2. How much mental pain is trying to get rid of those five pounds causing you?

    I've benefitted from taking mental breaks from "dieting" and temporarily going into maintenance mode. If you know your maintenance calories, maybe pick a timeline to be in maintenance and a hard date to begin "dieting" again. Just don't kick the can down the road too long.

    I'm up for participating in a challenge if you start one. I love having a short-term behavioral goal. Doing so always seems to lead to more behavioral changes.

  • Philtex
    Philtex Posts: 1,447 Member

    "Just don't kick the can down the road too long." - Good advice.

    "I'm up for participating in a challenge if you start one." - I'll have to think about what to try. Something creative, motivating and fair.

  • Flintwinch
    Flintwinch Posts: 1,311 Member

    I've discovered that taking breaks from weight loss mode and simply going into weight maintenance for awhile can work in my favor and be a revitalizing rest stop on the journey. I've been aiming for a goal of half a pound weight loss per week. So far I haven't needed or wanted to take a maintenance break, but it remains a good option at some point.

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