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Old 04-08-2008, 09:24 AM   #1
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Do any of you ever look & still become amazed that you've been able to maintain

your weight loss for X amount of time?

Did any of you ever think you would be able to eat what you eat now & keep the weight off?

Sometimes I am still amazed that I've kept 60 lbs off for 4 years. It took a long time to get it off but I know that's what I owe maintaining that 60 lbs loss to-losing it slow & over a long period of time.

I no longer follow Atkins but am amazed that the foods I do eat still keep me maintaining. I tend to eat a lot less than I used to.

I used to be an XL...today, I tried on a jacket I haven't worn for a long time that is an XS. It fits me solidly. That shows me how much I have accomplished.

Sometimes-even though I have lost 60 lbs-I will see a reflection of myself in the sliding doors of a grocery store & say 'Oh, that's me? That's how I look now?' It's been 4 years & I still stand amazed.

Dyan
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Old 04-08-2008, 10:24 AM   #2
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I'm amazed that this has truly become a way of life for me. I don't consider myself to be "dieting." It's just the way I eat. And I don't feel a slave to it. Before I started low carbing, I had to work at staying slim. Portion control, feeling hungry, but choosing that hungry feeling over being heavier. Now I don't have to choose.
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Old 04-08-2008, 06:06 PM   #3
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Yep. amazement continues! Great that you are appreciating your accomplishments

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Old 04-09-2008, 03:12 PM   #4
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Good post! I have only been maintaining since November but yes I am still in awe of my weight loss. I went shopping yesterday and being able to buy Medium tops and size 6 or 8 bottoms is simply a pleasure! I used to struggle to fit into 16's and XL tops. Yesterday, I seen a pair of jeans I like but the smallest size they had was a 10 so I had to pass......that was so thrilling! Not to mention how much better I feel on a daily basis and what it has done for my love life (LOL)! Lets just say that my husband is happy with the weight loss.
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Old 04-10-2008, 07:01 AM   #5
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I'm with Homestretch. I'm still amazed every day and it keeps me *extremely* disciplined in my eating; I feel a real aversion to going off my plan. I'm a size 4 in pants now (even those are rather loose with some brands), and what also amazes me is that it's difficult even to find 4's in the stores I shop at, so theoretically I'm smaller than women around here are expected to be.
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Old 04-10-2008, 10:13 AM   #6
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I'm with Homestretch. I'm still amazed every day and it keeps me *extremely* disciplined in my eating; I feel a real aversion to going off my plan. I'm a size 4 in pants now (even those are rather loose with some brands), and what also amazes me is that it's difficult even to find 4's in the stores I shop at, so theoretically I'm smaller than women around here are expected to be.
You are the bomb!
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Old 04-10-2008, 03:22 PM   #7
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I love hearing from the "maintainers". It gives me hope because I worry more about being able to keep it off than getting to my goal (I know that I can do that). I am looking forward to not having what I eat in the forefront of my mind all of the time. I know that to be successful at maintenance, eating this way must become second nature. I'm trying to develop that attitude now.
Congratulations to you all.
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Old 04-11-2008, 07:50 AM   #8
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I love hearing from the "maintainers". It gives me hope because I worry more about being able to keep it off than getting to my goal (I know that I can do that). I am looking forward to not having what I eat in the forefront of my mind all of the time. I know that to be successful at maintenance, eating this way must become second nature. I'm trying to develop that attitude now.
Congratulations to you all.
You are so close to goal! I am not sure this way of eating is second nature to me but making healthy choices is.
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Old 04-18-2008, 02:24 PM   #9
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with someone else's eyes

sometimes it's hard to see what others see.
When I catch a glimpse of myself in a storefront window, I am shocked that that is really me.
Does anyone watch TLC'S What not to wear? They had a spot about a gal that had such poor body image. She had lost 120 pounds. Stacy and Clinton taped a piece of white paper on the wall. Then they had her draw an outline of her body image as she believed it to be. Next, they put her up against her own drawing, and actually drew an outline of her. Her perception was SO DISTORTED!! I came away from that with "wow! what a tool to use!"
JAN
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Old 04-23-2008, 06:51 PM   #10
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Yep, I'm always still amazed that I haven't regained the weight over the last almost 4 years now. There are people in my life now that never knew me at my top weight. I had given up hope of ever being normal sized before I started Atkins. And then when I was losing, I was certain it was temporary and I'd regain it all eventually. Each day I maintain my weight is a gift to me.
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Old 05-17-2008, 06:32 PM   #11
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I've been doing this for so long it's just a way of life for me now.
Thank you Dr. Atkins.
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Old 05-17-2008, 08:45 PM   #12
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I love What Not to Wear! I realize that I used to wear clothes that covered me up....
Ah, a new thread!

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Old 05-27-2008, 05:42 AM   #13
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I'm curious what all you maintainers are eating... I am now at the point where I have to learn how to maintain and would love your input. I really don't have a desire to change anything, I'm happy with what I eat (lots of meat, fats and veggies), but I'm wondering if I will continue to lose if I don't add something in.
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Old 05-27-2008, 07:04 AM   #14
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Just the basics ...proteins and vegetables... but I have added in some berries and cantaloupe.
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Old 05-30-2008, 02:29 PM   #15
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I've been maintaining now for 2.5 years and am still sometimes shocked that I have not regained my weight....yet again!! I'm deeply grateful for this.

I eat 1/2 cup yogurt with my morning coffee.....protein and veggies for lunch....snack mid afternoon is either a small piece of cheese, some nuts or a piece of frfesh fruit. Dinner is any good protein and veggies with a salad too.

I do enjoy a small amount of 85% dk chocolate after dinner. no chewing allowed, only melting in my mouth...much more satisfying that way.

I do eat my home cooked chili and make many soups...I use black soy beans in my chili.

I rarely eat my old favorites but I allow myself to have a whole grain bagel once a month. same with dreamfields....once a month.
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Old 05-31-2008, 06:47 PM   #16
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In December, I will have maintained for 6 full years. Amazing, yes, but what's more amazing to me is that I can eat FAT and stay thin.

All those wasted years eating fat-free and getting fatter ... what was I thinking?!

I see myself in a photograph now and think "that's me?"

Betty
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Old 06-01-2008, 03:56 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoveMontana View Post
Just the basics ...proteins and vegetables... but I have added in some berries and cantaloupe.

That is something I've noticed about many of you successful maintainers; you all seem to eat simple, basic foods and not alot of the low carb "specialty" stuff. That and exercise to maintain. I guess I secretly never thought that I'd reach goal so now I'm seriously thinking about what I have to do for the rest of my life.

Last edited by SueMc : 06-01-2008 at 03:57 AM.
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Old 06-01-2008, 11:51 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by squeakie View Post
I'm curious what all you maintainers are eating... I am now at the point where I have to learn how to maintain and would love your input. I really don't have a desire to change anything, I'm happy with what I eat (lots of meat, fats and veggies), but I'm wondering if I will continue to lose if I don't add something in.
I eat protein 3 times a day. Lots of beef and chicken. All veggies except starchy ones. All fruits except watermelon which I could NEVER stand. No grains at all .. I have developed a severe grain intolerance since beginning Atkins in 2002. I don't miss them. I eat full-fat yogurt (drained) and sweetened with SF jello powders. Also I like the Lite and Fit yogurt by Dannon. I still do pretty heavy fat because I'm a competitive runner and fat is my fuel of choice.

Betty
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Old 06-01-2008, 04:34 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SueMc
not alot of the low carb "specialty" stuff.
Yup!! you got that right!!

The carbs I do eat are whole and unprocessed....fruits, veggies including some starchy ones, dairy, nuts/seeds, legumes/beans/lentils. A very small amount of grain...NO wheat at all!!
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Old 06-01-2008, 07:22 PM   #20
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I'm now past the 5 year mark of maintaining my loss and I LOVE eating this way as much now as I did when I started.

I eat plenty of leafy green stuff, good fats and proteins. I don't usually eat breakfast except on the weekends just because I don't CARE about breakfast most times unless I've been up and about for an hour or so. I DO have a cup of decaf Americano with cream though, every morning. At least I get some good fat to keep the engines going until food looks good!

If I get hungry before lunch, I'll have a piece of homemade beef jerky, or a piece or two of bacon.

Lunch is generally something left over from dinner, or a sandwich made with "cheesy bread rounds" (recipe can be found on our Recipes help forum) or my current fave, plain pork rinds with cream cheese and smoked oysters packed in pure olive oil. Usually a little salad, or some bell pepper strips for crunch.

I'm not prone to afternoon snacking but if I get munchy I'll have a wedge of Brie cheese or some more jerky or a deviled egg.

Dinner is usually chicken, fish, beef, pork, whatever and a veggie and a salad with the works (marinated artichoke hearts, calamata olives, radishes, bell pepper, green onion, whatever else strikes my fancy!) and homemade vinaigrette. About twice a week I'll have a glass of wine or 4 oz. of hot sake.

IF I have anything after dinner it's usually just a cup of decaf hot tea, or maybe a square of dark chocolate, allowed to melt in my mouth. YUM! I used to be a milk chocolate fan but not now.

The only grains I eat are sprouted, as in Ezekiel bread, and an occasional LC tortilla. They don't set well with me and I generally believe that our bodies are not meant to process grains in their "seed" form. I eat some berries and an occasional apple or pear, but fruit is not something I miss. Once in a great while I'll have some fresh pineapple though - that I do love!

And I just discovered you can get some CUTE t-shirts and "muscle shirts" in the boys' departments for just a few bucks - picked up a cool gray muscle shirt with a flag and "USA" across the front at Target for $4! Great for working out on the Wii Fit!

And YES it IS wonderful to get back into those smaller sizes! You go, Dyan!!
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Old 06-01-2008, 07:56 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sugarless4life View Post
I eat protein 3 times a day. Lots of beef and chicken. All veggies except starchy ones. All fruits except watermelon which I could NEVER stand. No grains at all .. I have developed a severe grain intolerance since beginning Atkins in 2002. I don't miss them. I eat full-fat yogurt (drained) and sweetened with SF jello powders. Also I like the Lite and Fit yogurt by Dannon. I still do pretty heavy fat because I'm a competitive runner and fat is my fuel of choice.

Betty

I eat drained full fat yogurt everyday and today was the first time I tried it with SF jello powder. It was really good. I make my yogurt and it is fairly tart. The sweet-tart combo was a great treat!
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Old 06-02-2008, 06:06 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sugarless4life View Post
I eat protein 3 times a day. Lots of beef and chicken. All veggies except starchy ones. All fruits except watermelon which I could NEVER stand. No grains at all .. I have developed a severe grain intolerance since beginning Atkins in 2002. I don't miss them. I eat full-fat yogurt (drained) and sweetened with SF jello powders. Also I like the Lite and Fit yogurt by Dannon. I still do pretty heavy fat because I'm a competitive runner and fat is my fuel of choice.

Betty
Hi Sugarless,

If you don't mind me asking. How Much running do you do?
Although I posted different questions on this site, I never really get the response from a true runner. I still have a way to go, but sometimes wonder if I should eat something more to help with my running. Some days I really feel wiped out, and so I haven't really increased my mileage. Anything you could tell me would be greatly appreciated. Do you feel the running has helped you maintain or because you haven't really added anything back in?
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Old 06-04-2008, 05:52 PM   #23
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Quote:
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Hi Sugarless,

If you don't mind me asking. How Much running do you do?
Although I posted different questions on this site, I never really get the response from a true runner. I still have a way to go, but sometimes wonder if I should eat something more to help with my running. Some days I really feel wiped out, and so I haven't really increased my mileage. Anything you could tell me would be greatly appreciated. Do you feel the running has helped you maintain or because you haven't really added anything back in?
30 miles every week, unless I'm in training, then its more. I have a full marathon planned for next Feb, so I'll crank up my training in October.

I run those 30 miles on approx 50 grams of maintenance carbs per day. Lots of protein and fat is what fuels me the best.

The running has ABSOLUTELY been key to keeping the weight off. I don't worry about what I eat any more since I've been in lifetime maintenance for over 5 years ... I pretty much know what/how to eat. I just totally avoid refined foods of every kind and sugar like the PLAGUE it is ... I do eat all non-starchy veggies and low-glycemic fruits ... no grains at all... can't tolerate them any more.

I truly believe you can train your body to run on whatever fuel you consistently give it ... give it enough fat and protein and you can run without problems.

Hope that helps !

Betty
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Old 06-13-2008, 09:29 AM   #24
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I too feel amazed that I've kept off the 30 lb loss for 5 years now. Like the other poster said, every day since has been a gift of normal weight to me.

Apparently 95% of those who lose weight will gain it back (I think within a year). So we are the top 5%! Maybe those other 95% aren't on a WOE but rather on a diet which can't be done longterm.
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Old 06-14-2008, 12:51 PM   #25
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So far maintenance is going great. I'm loving what I eat so I don't feel the need to go off plan at all. For those who eat fruits... what about bananas or oranges? I like those fruits but I'm afraid to try them again because they have so many carbs. I don't really know which ones are low-glycemic.
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Old 06-14-2008, 04:29 PM   #26
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