Finally Here!! Topic

Mdelorme 11/12/17
I am so excited to see there is a forum for weight maintenance. On April 22 of this year I decided to make a change and lose my excess weight for good. I’ve been up and down over the years but I finally wanted to get down to my university days weight and STAY there. I don’t usually have difficulty losing once I decide to do it. The problem I have is once it’s off...now what? Lol I am now down 75 pounds and in a healthy weight range for my height. I feel great and have enjoyed buying new clothes to fit my new body but now I feel like the real work begins. I have loved using this app over my many ups and downs and I’ve also become a Fitbit user. Any other suggestions from fellow maintainers out there?

Drinkmorewater 11/12/17
Mdelorme, SO excited for you!! I? can totally relate to the ...now what? I have kept my weight off for close to 3 years now. I? have changed my goals to be more fitness oriented- lifting weights, running and have recently started lap swim. Getting fitness magazines each month helps me stay fresh.
Also, my eating habits have changed to be very healthy - I? have realized that I? feel terrible after I? eat junk. So that helps me stay on track. I? DO have to be intentional in reminding myself. Like tonight, my family had Chinese food and I? had a big spinach salad with tofu and healthy dressing.
I?n truth, I? still track my calories with a weight loss setting for .75lbs a week. Now that I? have hit my goal, I? splurge more often so keeping a slight calorie deficit helps me maintain.
I? still weigh myself everyday so my weight never gets way out of control- it does fluctuate of course (holidays/vacations/bdays).
My dad (who lost 100lbs) has a fun thing of trying to pick up the weight he lost! It will amaze you to lift that at the gym and think that less than a year ago you walked around with it all the time!
I? also decide to BE THE 5% or whatever the ridiculous statistic is of people who keep their weight off. I? had someone tell me that statistic during my weightloss - she has always struggled with her weight and I? think was trying to sabotage me :( - anyway, I? decided at that moment that I? AM THE 5%. It has kind of been the mantra in my brain ever since.
Hope this encourages you! If I? think of some thing else I? will add it. Excited to hear what has worked for others as well!

Drinkmorewater 11/12/17
Ha! Stupid phone...changed all of the I’s to ?I?

Dietitian 11/13/17 replied to Mdelorme
Congrats, Medelorme! I'm in weight maintenance x 7 years now. My most important tip is to continue to do all of the things that helped you lose weight in the first place, just allow yourself the extra calories (set your target to maintenance). But here are more tips:

1. Keep doing your weigh-ins. Life happens and you will occasionally gain weight and lose weight. That is okay. Stay on top of it. I try to weigh-in weekly. I always weigh-in after holidays and vacation. It helps motivate me to get back on track.

2. Keep tracking. When I need to lose a few pounds, I track daily. But when I am staying at my goal weight, I tend to track about 4x/week, ideally with 1 weekend day. Holidays and vacation will always be high risk times. Do not waste time berating yourself for weight gain. Just get back on track after the holidays/vacation.

3. Absolutely keep up the exercise/activity plan. I feel that this is probably my most important lifestyle factor to keep up since when I exercise, my appetite is better controlled. Go figure. My appetite goes in overdrive when I am sedentary.

You CAN maintain your weight loss! Staying mindful is the key. And whether we like it or not, weight management is lifelong. When I think of it this way, I am okay with it. I have moved past the resentment of having to think about portion size and double-think comfort foods. I feel SO MUCH better after having lost the weight and I simply feel better when I don't overeat.

Best,
Kathy

Judithkalich 11/28/17
Thanks for the maintenance tips! I have just reached my goal weight--lost 85 pounds and went from quite obese to a healthy BMI--feel better, look better, more energetic! I'm almost 76 years old and I plan to stay at healthy weight for the rest of my life. Key factors in my weight loss have been avoiding added sugar (and artificial sweeteners) and severely limiting what we used to call "starchy" foods--white flour, white potatoes, white rice, pasta... I think I will need to continue this practice to maintain my weight. (Maybe allow a limited amount of whole grains and other relatively high carb but very nutritious vegetables/fruits such as sweet potatoes, beans, bananas, etc.) I will continue to track my food intake, my exercise, and my weight. Using this program has been a tremendous help!

Dietician 11/28/17 replied to Judithkalich
Hi Judithkalich- Strong work on your weight loss! You have worked hard I can tell to achieve those fantastic results! Thank you for taking a moment to share what has worked for you. I think it's so important that we are all reminded there is not one way to lose weight or keep it off and yet, if you look closely there are patterns among successful losers:)
Best to you as you move into this new phase. Glad to hear the program has been beneficial to your success. Joanna (Dietician)

Finally Here!!