New Maintainers week of August 1

[JuliaL]

Good morning everyone. I've been very busy this morning, but checked and saw Cartbabe's message. No, it's not because of you that we stopped posting. We seem to go in cycles with it. I guess that's typical of maintainers - sometimes we're thinking about our woe a lot and sometimes we're not.

How is everyone today? Good weekend? DH and I went out for lunch yesterday to a new fish restaurant that just opened up near us. It had a good review in the paper. The fish was great, but I couldn't believe it when I asked to substitute something for my baked potato the only option was french fries! They had cole slaw, but of course the dressing had sugar in it. I ordered the baked potato but didn't eat it. When we left we told the manager that the food and service were good, but we were disappointed that there wasn't even a vegetable of the day on the menu.

[sugarless4life]

Hey Julia (and everyone!)

I haven't posted in awhile .. but I'm doing great!

That's awful about having no REAL veggie at a restaurant! Glad you spoke up .. !! When will the world wake up and realize that potatoes are nothing more than starches disguised as healthy vegetables??

My weekend was good. Busy as always. We're getting so excited about our upcoming cruise .. less than 2 weeks. Can't wait! And on a smoke-free ship! Woohoo!! Can't wait to endulge in all the unlimited protein and veggies!!!

I'm up to running 4 miles 4 days a week now. Today was my first 4 mile day and I finished in about an hour. The bones were tired by the end, but I felt AWESOME! My ultimate goal is 5 miles a day, so we'll see how long it takes. I've got a 5k coming up September 4 and I hope by then that 3.1 miles will be a FUN RUN instead of such a doggoned effort for me! I figure it gives me 4 weeks to train for it, so I should be more than ready for it!

Its been so rainy here .. I don't mind running in the rain as long as its not lightning! I sweat like a dog anyway, so who's to know the difference between raindrops and sweatdrops?

School starts here on Thursday. Fortunately, our "only" is in college now, so I don't have much to do to get ready for school days any more! Hard to believe the summer has gone by so quick!! YIKES...WHERE DOES THE TIME GO??

Have a great week everyone!

Betty

[JuliaL]

Hi Betty - congratulations on 4 miles a day, that's wonderful!

I hope you have a great time on your cruise. Ironically, one of the reasons that I decided to try this woe was a planned cruise. My DH got a free cruise when he bought his new car. I checked the cruise line's website and saw that there was no smoking allowed on board. So I thought, 'I'll have to quit smoking'. Then I thought - first I'll have to lose some weight. The rest is history.

Keep up the great work!

Julia

[ginabw]

Betty,
congratulations on 4 miles today! I have run both outside and treadmill, and it is much harder for me outside. I actually thought about running outside today, but the side roads are way too hilly, I mean like the kind of hills where they tell truckers to stay in low gear! Plus there is a lot of traffic and exhaust on the main road, I hate that too. What got me thinking about it though was the fresh air, my gym doesn't have AC, in fact most places over here don't, and today was pretty warm by UK standards. I probably still have about 3 more weeks before my treadmill arrives from the US, and then don't have to worry about the gym anymore!

[DBrown8614]

Hi Everyone! May I join also? I am still trying to lose just a few more pounds, but will start maintaining here also. Like Mary, I too am afraid of gaining back any weight! The thought of those pounds going back on scare the heebee jeebees out of me

This looks like a great group and would love to learn your secrets of maintaining!!

[JuliaL]

Welcome Jannis! Congratulations on your weight loss! As new maintainers we're all trying to figure out the secrets too. We've pretty much come to the conclusion that its different for everyone. Just like losing weight, what works for one may not work for another, but sharing helps us all learn.

One thing that's tough in the beginning is getting used to refocusing on other goals besides seeing the number on the scale go down. For me I had to make new fitness goals for myself, but I still weigh every day. It keeps me on track.

Julia

[yarncat]

I'm here,Julia!!
Though I've been at goal for over 10 months,I just now feel I've got a grasp on Maintenance these past few weeks.

[DBrown8614]

Thanks for the welcome Julia!! Hi Yarncat!!

I have been at or under goal for a little over a month now. Each time I see that scale go back up a little, I jump right back on induction to get it back down! I can maintain at induction levels but it seems I haven't figured out how to up the carbs without gaining. Oh well.

Nice to meet everyone!!

[sugarless4life]

I can maintain at induction levels but it seems I haven't figured out how to up the carbs without gaining.

Girl, the secret is EXERCISE. LOTS OF IT. You'll be surprised how easy you'll maintain (provided you don't eat crap carbs!)

Betty

[JuliaL]

Jannis - maybe you need to gain a couple of pounds? Perhaps your sustainable weight is a little higher than you think. Just a thought. I try not to get too hung up on the number on the scale, but I do understand how it feels to see that number go up after so many months of focusing on losing weight.

I guess we all live in fear of gaining it all back. But that's not such a bad thing for me - it keeps me on track.

Julia

[DBrown8614]

Thanks guys! Yes, I probably do need to "UP" the exercise more. And the one thing I have never done, is cheat on this way of life. From day one, I have always been committed to never even tasting carbby junk again!!!

I am 5'6" but a very petite small bone, so even a pound over looks like a lot. The weight I looked and felt the best at was 116, so we will see. Even when my weight goes up a pound or two, it always goes back down and I am still losing it seems.

Like you said, just trial and error it seems. Just pretty scarey soemtimes!! Of course, I have only been at goal for a little over a month, so the psychological thing is still to lose. I will get past it eventually.

Thanks ladies!!!!!

[ginabw]

Welcome Jannis and Yarncat! I agree with Betty, exercise is key, and eating quality carbs. As long as my carbs are coming from veggies I can eat a lot.
Can anyone recommend a scale that does not break the bank? This a.m. my scale first said 122, which always makes me happy, so happy that I got on again and it said 126! Since I hadn't even brushed my teeth I knew something must be going on so got on again and it said 123, and said that a few more times, so majority rules and I guess today I am 123. But I think it is time for a new scale!

[sugarless4life]

I love my Tanita Scale !! (goodness knows I've tested it enough!)


Betty

[JuliaL]

I got a Tanita for $50. A little pricey, but not the most expensive out there. I really like it because it weighs in .5 lb. increments. Well, some days I like that and some days I don't.

[jvryden]

Hi All! My computer needs to be fixed, so who knows when I'll be back...I'm borrowing my parent's computer right now! I feel so out of the loop...

Good to see some new folks! Welcome!

I desparately need a new scale...mine is extremely old. I don't weigh too differently at the gym though, so maybe its not too bad.

This Sunday I'll be getting good exercise...I'm doing a walk for breast cancer (only a 5K, but farther than I normally walk). Maybe I'll hit the gym later in the day so I can get in my weight training too.

[yarncat]

I was maintaining at 122lbs,but missed my little "extras".I changed my goal weight to 125lbs.This allows me to have variety and my clothes still fit the same,which is more important to me than the number on the scale.

[ginabw]

Oh, I am not too fixated by the number on the scale anymore. I have learned (as we all have on this journey!) that it can be affected by lots of things, like TOM, salt, water, etc. So as long as I know I am eating on plan I don't really worry when the scale fluctuates within in my 5lb range. The only reason I still weigh every day is that I still get that high from seeing the number, such a great way to start the day. And since I always eat on plan, I get that great boost every day!

jvryden, I hope your PC is fixed soon! I too feel out of the loop if I can't get online everyday. It's how I get my news, read my hometown paper, talk to my sisters, SHOP! Hope you're back soon!

[jvryden]

I think my awesome BIL fixed whatever is wrong with my PC. So far so good...This is not the first time he has come to the rescue! I think we'll keep him.

I like to weigh every day too. It doesn't effect my mood at all, but I like to know if I'm still on track and plan what I eat for the day accordingly.

Now...off to catch up on the news I've missed!!

[ginabw]

Way to go BIL, it is always good to have a PC expert in the family!!!

[ShrinkyDink]

Hi! May I join you? I just reached goal today, but made a new goal.

I have lost all of this weight at 20 ~ 30 net carbs a day. Now I need to figure out how to slowly add carbs back in without going overboard. I don't care if it takes me 6 months to lose to my new goal weight.

[jvryden]

Shrinkydink! Love the avatar. Very cute.

Just completed the walk for breast cancer. We had a great time and the weather was wonderful! Afterwards though, we went the ultimate Sunday brunch buffet. Wish I could say I was good, but...(tomorrow's another day ) It was great. That's all I can say.

[kbgardengirl]

Welcome all you new maintainers. Yes, it is scarey taking your first steps into maintenance. If you're like me at the back of mind was, I've worked so hard but can I really maintain. Well, 8 months later, here I am and I haven't permanently gained back any. I allow a fluctuation of 3 pounds at the most and if the scale goes beyond that I get strict with my food choices. I have experimented with various new foods and even eaten a potatoe or two. And I did splurge on some illegal treats a couple of times to see if they still had their hold of me (they did). I weigh daily, eat lots of fruit and veggies and have cut back on the fat some. Just take it a step at a time and you will be find.

[ShrinkyDink]

Thanks kbgardengirl for all the great advice.

[DBrown8614]

Yes, thank you Karen!! Appreciate your advice!!

[JuliaL]

Come on over to the new thread!

New Maintainers - Week of August 9