23 Weeks on JUDDD -- Maintaining for XMas

[stephdray]

Today I weighed in at 257 lbs for a loss of 1 lb this week, 33 lbs total, 29 of them on JUDDD at a rate of 1.3 lbs a week.

So, let me just be clear about what I mean when I say I'm still doing JUDDD. What I mean is that I am still executing perfect DDs but every day is an Up Up and Away Day. And this week, two of those days were on a weekend where I wasn't able to change my rotation and had a cookie party.

For those newbies out there to JUDDD: I am doing it wrong.

It's just about all I can do at the moment, however, so I'm running with it.

Here are the weekly ups and downs.

Downsides

Wild Binge Up Days. If I feel like eating something, I eat two of them. I am not counting. I am not even trying. And I'm certainly not proud of the night I rolled into bed after a painful overdose of cookies and corn chips. It's one thing to go over your calorie limit with some actual food. Quite another to do it with junk food. But at the moment I've lost my sense of moderation and can't seem to care. Also, I'm pretty sure this is exactly what would be happening without JUDDD, too, so at least it's only happening every other day.

Upsides

Much Improved Tolerance for Down Days. Yeah, sometimes I get hungry. Sometimes it's annoying. But I realized the other day that I haven't needed the gluc powder or shiritaki fillers for months. And sometimes when I'm hungry, having a cup of tea or broth actually eliminates the hunger pangs. (Don't laugh, newbies. And don't shoot me if this doesn't work for you, because IMO it doesn't work at first. I'm 23 weeks into this thing and these tricks are only now starting to work for me.)

Maintaining. Yeah, so even though I'm totally abusing this system to the limit, I also lost a pound this week. There's probably something very wrong with the fact that I can eat eleventybillion cookies one day, then nothing but coffee the next, and I am aware that more healthy choices are going to need to be incorporated, but, whatever!

Easy. I need easy right now. I am at the point where showering, getting dressed, and brushing my teeth is about the extent of my non-work-related activities each day. I found myself looking forward to the simplicity of a DD recently. I am seriously starting to find them to be more productive than my up days and I never ever thought that would happen. JUDDD is easier than anything I have ever done to better my health before and I am so grateful.

Holiday Recipes. OMG, I can actually cook anything I want for company! We're having Christmas at my house and I am bewildered by my choices. Baked french toast casserole for the whole family? Real mashed potatoes? It's going to be so much fun!

[lynne2u]

Oh, you're not alone in this.

I wake up every UD and say to myself, "Lynne. Please. Stop making snickerdoodles. I'm actually tired of them. Thank you." I don't listen. I execute perfect DDs, as perfect as a 1000 calorie DD limit gets, I should say...and my pants still fit. Is this right??

It's amazing to me that as wildly out of control as life has been lately, we're still carrying on the balancing act. Actually having a pretty good time, too, except for the guilt of getting away with it, I guess.

See you on the other side, when we buckle down again!

Lynne

[Librarygirl]

Yes! I can sooo relate. At some point I'm going to need to have balanced meals on UD's. Right now, I am eating junk and more junk. Does it come to the point where you don't crave the "forbidden" foods as much? Lol, I hope so!!!

[route66]

Originally Posted by Librarygirl

Does it come to the point where you don't crave the "forbidden" foods as much? Lol, I hope so!!!

I think the "forbidden" foods lose their appeal when you really internalize that they aren't "forbidden"...they are just "food".

Easier said than done...

[stephdray]

Originally Posted by Librarygirl

Yes! I can sooo relate. At some point I'm going to need to have balanced meals on UD's. Right now, I am eating junk and more junk. Does it come to the point where you don't crave the "forbidden" foods as much? Lol, I hope so!!!

Yes, but Christmas is not that point.

[sdjade]

I am in the same boat. No problem with my DD, but almost every UD is an UUAD lately. Yesterday I ate a whole CPK pizza for lunch and had a burger and fries for dinner. Maybe I should feel guilt, but I totally don't! At least I got some exercise by dancing at a concert. That counts, right?

Great job on losing another pound, Steph! I wish I could say the same!

[calichris]

You know that saying (is it a song?) about someone not being Mr. Right, but Mr. Right Now? Well I say, you're doing JUDDD right for right now. Maintaining/losing a bit on a deadline with Christmas is so incredible. Way to go, Steph!

[gotsomeold]

Originally Posted by calichris

... Well I say, you're doing JUDDD right for right now. Maintaining/losing a bit on a deadline with Christmas is so incredible. Way to go, Steph!

It's the biggest holiday season! The season fraught with traditions (many revolving around special once-a-year foods), with stresses (many assuaged, at least a bit, by eating), with temptations (many of which involve tasty treats).

And we are JUDDD BUDDDs! We get to EAT!

Based on what I saw here a year ago, I believe for the next few weeks anyone living the DD part of rotation is doing JUDDD perfectly. And I do mean both low cal DDs and maintenance level DDs.

You may continue to lose, you may hit a balance point and maintain, you may bounce up. But, DDs are the safety valves that ensure soon after 1/2/13 returning to rotation is easy, and resuming weight loss/maintenance is smoooooth.

This is not my first rodeo...and aren't rodeos fun?

[gotsomeold]

And, oh Stepanie! I know, back when DDs drained you, facing the holidays combined with the book's deadline must have been depressing and terrifying.

I am doing the Happy Dance all over the place that DDs are helping you make it through this stressful time!

[mom23kids]

Originally Posted by stephdray

Yes, but Christmas is not that point.

Soooo true! I've just gone over menus with family members for two upcoming parties and oh.my.goodness. Not one healthy thing to be seen But, how can you tell grandma not to bring her laundry basket full of home baked, white flour/sugar, goodies when it's the highlight of her year to make all of that food for her family? And who am I kidding-it's the highlight of mine too

I think right now if we can all just get through this next set of holiday eating without gaining, we'll all be in great shape to start the new year We can worry about healthy eating in January

[Saxy1971]

I can relate, Steph--only, I'm not losing anything....just maintaining. My DD's are great--my UD's are out of control! And I know it's all carby stuff I'm stuffin' my face with, so after the holidays are out of my system, I'm doing the low carb/JUDDD thing.

Got a couple weeks to get it out of my system, and that baked french toast casserole sounds soooooo good! Got a recipe to share?

[KeirasMom]

I guess I'm lucky that I don't cook and I don't have family near-by. I haven't had to deal with a massive influx of goodies, and frankly, I'm not a sweets fiend anyway, but I do know we're planning on going to Chukchansi (casino near Yosemite) on Christmas day, and I will most likely have a rare UUAD then. Steph, you give me hope that I can get through it relatively unscathed.

You're doing great, and I'm so proud of you for keeping to your rotations and being gentle with yourself on your UDs. I need a little of your zen-ness.

[calichris]

Originally Posted by gotsomeold

Based on what I saw here a year ago, I believe for the next few weeks anyone living the DD part of rotation is doing JUDDD perfectly. And I do mean both low cal DDs and maintenance level DDs.

You may continue to lose, you may hit a balance point and maintain, you may bounce up. But, DDs are the safety valves that ensure soon after 1/2/13 returning to rotation is easy, and resuming weight loss/maintenance is smoooooth.

This is not my first rodeo...and aren't rodeos fun?

Thanks for this! I think it's very valuable for those like me going to their first JUDDD Christmas season to read this bit of perspective and wisdom from from last year's experience.

[sunday]

Originally Posted by stephdray

Today I weighed in at 257 lbs for a loss of 1 lb this week, 33 lbs total, 29 of them on JUDDD at a rate of 1.3 lbs a week.

I did this as well. I have a huge stockpile of shirataki, but honestly plain broth is better and never thought I would be saying this!

Something is changing here as well. When you are able to sit back & study this more, I think you will see as I have that a double UD or MD here and there doesn't mess up the flow of weight loss. One more reason that maintenance is effortless now.

The best of the best worlds, enjoying family and JUDDD.

[Lil Donna]

So, help me understand...

A cheese ball and Ritz crackers are not normal for breakfast????

[mom23kids]

Originally Posted by Lil Donna

So, help me understand...

A cheese ball and Ritz crackers are not normal for breakfast????

[sdjade]

Originally Posted by Lil Donna

So, help me understand...

A cheese ball and Ritz crackers are not normal for breakfast????

Who wants to be normal anyway?

[gotsomeold]

Oh Christina! If you have time, dig back to last January's threads. They start with established BUDDDs who kept most of their DDs low and UUAD'd on UDs who either maintained, were watching bounces vanish, or - a few of really dedicated - lost.

Those happy reports are accompanied by a flood of 'I am not going to live this way another year!' newbies diving in. Many of whom are still with us (losing or maintaining), drop by from time to time to say 'still JUDDDing, still losing', reached goal and vanished, or - in a few sad cases - had blood sugar spikes or found UDs triggered binges or otherwise had to move on to another WOE.

[LoCarbGal]

I agree with Nancy about reading up on the older posts. I did that about a month ago when I needed some extra motivation, and I got to relive some of your early journeys. It's a really helpful perspective to hear the thoughts of folks we see now as so successful as they were beginning or in the middle of their process.

Steph - you are doing so great, and I'm so proud that you're just dealing with what you need to deal with and not stressing about eating. To have lost a pound w/o too much effort is fantastic!

[deedee]

Oh Christina! If you have time, dig back to last January's threads. They start with established BUDDDs who kept most of their DDs low and UUAD'd on UDs who either maintained, were watching bounces vanish, or - a few of really dedicated - lost.

I'm definitely going to do this! There's a week here around Christmastime when the office is dead and I'll have enough time on my hands for some digging through old posts. I don't know if people who have come and gone realize how valuable their contributions are. There are a few I can name off the top of my head who I never see posting here, but whose old comments have been immensely helpful.

And Steph is definitely one who is luckily still posting here! I went back and read through all the weekly write-ups and they're all so entertaining and useful.

[mykidsteacher]

Great job Steph. All that and you STILL lost a pound. I giggled when I read about your calm and productivity on a dd, considering your early posts and how that was the biggest fear with this woe.

So glad you stuck with it to get to this place, and continue to share your journey for all to learn from.

It is SO wonderful to be able to enjoy the holidays with our families, and not struggle with the guilt and self-recriminations afterward. We know if we do happen to bounce a little, a good week of rotations will get things back in hand and going in the right direction again. It is so FREEING!

[Yam-Yam]

Congrats on losing a pound, Steph! That's awesome. Maintaining would be awesome with chips and cookies and UUADs, but losing? So cool!

[gotitnow]

A*M*E*N.....SISTA'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phyl

[Kissa]

I love this post, losing a alb, who could have dreamt it? You are a JUDDD Queen.

[Snoangel]

I don't follow JUDDD, but I do follow all your threads because they're all such great reads!!! Keep posting
You're doing great and you make juddd look tempting.

[Librarygirl]

I enjoy your posts too, Steph. Someone suggested to me that I read about your early struggles, because of my struggles with DD's. Do you have a journal and how do I get to it?

[sorenkkg]

Need I even say it? DITTO!

My plan from about October onward was just-- maintain my 25lb loss for the year.

I still have some of the weight from my Nov 2-week trip, but I'm managing to do DDs. I'm counting on UDs, but there's more MDs so that I can have an UD on the night of a party or something.

I'm actually excited for January when all this festivity stops, and we can get back to the normalcy and lose some actual weight.

Back to Steph -- you are doing fine. 2 weeks in the span of the time it will take to get to goal, and then (knowing JUDDD and other people) maybe below goal, and then a living a lifetime of, well, life... So have a cookie party (omg, i'm doing that next year!) and a 40th birthday brunch (oh wait, I did that ) and make a french toast casserole or a strata (savory version-- I have a great recipe now) and did you say MASHED POTATOES!!!
I'm totally having Chinese food on Christmas...

wow-- DD rambling here---

to you Steph. Keep it up, you lost 1lb, that's great, and just get through the holidays, you can rectify everything in January and beyond.

S.

[stephdray]

Originally Posted by calichris

You know that saying (is it a song?) about someone not being Mr. Right, but Mr. Right Now? Well I say, you're doing JUDDD right for right now. Maintaining/losing a bit on a deadline with Christmas is so incredible. Way to go, Steph!

Thank you and yes!

[stephdray]

Originally Posted by sorenkkg

Need I even say it? DITTO!

I'm actually excited for January when all this festivity stops, and we can get back to the normalcy and lose some actual weight.

Me too! Though I confess I'm getting a little nervous about it. The other day there was no real reason for an UUAD except that I didn't feel like keeping it under control and I was actually pretty hungry all day.

My appetite is under control on DDs but I never thought I'd be nervous about whether or not I could possibly get through a day of "only" a few thousand calories...

[stephdray]

Originally Posted by Librarygirl

I enjoy your posts too, Steph. Someone suggested to me that I read about your early struggles, because of my struggles with DD's. Do you have a journal and how do I get to it?

All my weight loss posts are here on the JUDDD board. I think Soren collected them together once. My personal journal is really on Facebook and I'm super easy to find and love to chat there so ring me up, as they used to say.