Afraid of gaining...

[tyler43836]

I have reached my goal weight (for about the 4th time in the past 6 or 7 years) and I don't want to fall back into the old eating patterns and have to do this again! Any practical suggestions from you maintainers to keep focused?

[JuliaL]

For me exercise is the key. There is no doubt that 90% of weight loss is what you eat, but I think at least 70% of keeping it off is exercise. If nothing else, I don't want to undo all my hard work by eating a cupcake or something. When I spend an hour of my day working out, it really makes me think twice about whether or not its worth it to have that candy or whatever is tempting me.

The other thing is just being aware of what I'm putting in my mouth. I got overweight in the first place because of not paying attention to what I was eating and because I made bad food choices as a result. Now I'm in the habit of planning my food for the day, and I keep a few extra legal snacks on hand in case of "emergencies".

That's what works for me. Julia

[tyler43836]

Thanks Julia. I've really slacked off on the excerise. The last time I hit the gym was to renew my membership. I guess I'd better get back on the bandwagon!
Tyler

[LoveMontana]

I'm not much for exercise cause I'm "old" lol but one thing I will NOT do is go back to my old eating habits. I just keep it low carb without any franken foods and haven't had a bit of a problem maintaining all these years.

[ginabw]

I am only a new maintainer (6 mos), but I do exercise religiously and I avoid frankenfoods and eat fresh, natural foods. I am definitely not going back to old WOE, I love the foods on this WOE eating more.

So far maintenance has been easy for me, almost too easy!

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Maintenance has not been that hard for me. I was afraid at first of gaining weight also and ended up losing more than I originally intended. I soon found out I was blessed with a much better metabolism than I thought I had. I don't follow a formal exercise routine but seem to get enough through the nervous energy I have by always moving around. I do go to the gym on occasion, have a home gym which I use from time to time, and love to walk/run. I have tried to gear my maintenance toward South Beach after surgery I had and under the advice of a doctor. I'm one of the maintainers who probably eats more frankenfoods than most; YMMV. So far, so good. I will soon be celebrating my first year of maintaining between 95-97 lbs. Congratulations on making goal and hope you have a successful maintenance.

Granny Ann

[lowcarbette]

Nearly ONE YEAR ... that is TRULY AMAZING!!!!!!!! WAY TO GO!

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Thanks Lowcarbette.

[THINNER-2003]

Granny! OMG you look fantastic! I noticed your pictures earlier and I hope you don't mind me showing my husband... I said see? She's the same height as me and weighs NINETY SEVEN pounds- and she doesn't look anorexic does she! (btw- he said you look great!) I said this to him because when I was at 110lbs everyone (not him- others) were telling me I was getting too thin. Puhlease.. I still had 13lbs to go just to be the weight YOU are- I was nowhere near too thin!

You really look great- thanks for showing the pictures!

Oh and btw Granny- you'll be proud of me. I've stuck to plan for the past few weeks and I also joined a gym last Monday... I've been working out at the gym for the first time in like FOREVER. Last time I actually worked out like that was in highschool except for a couple of months at a gym after I had my son (he's almost 7mo old now..) I'm hurting BAD this weekend... but I know that's only going to hurt that bad in the beginning. My muscles are screaming at me how DARE I start using them again! HAHA

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Congratulations Thinner. I'm so glad to hear you really do have yourself on the right track. You did it once and we knew you could do it again. By the way, getting about time for you to post some new pictures. Good job, joining the gym too. I did the same thing but don't go like I should. Don't do like me and not get your money's worth. Good Luck and hope to see you at goal soon. Granny

[THINNER-2003]

What??!!?? Why on earth would it be time for me to show more pictures with the weight I gained? No thanks... I think I'll wait until goal weight again (and only to show the difference without the tummy skin since I had the tummy tuck)
HAHA No sense showing off weight gain is there? LOL

I was kinda concerned about the cost- to get it cheaper we have to sign up for 2yrs. Actually we haven't signed the contract yet- but I think we're going to. They gave us 2 free weeks (with personal trainer and all) and I was worried I wouldn't go often BUT... this gym is only a few blocks away and very close to the school my daughter goes to... and my DH is all gungho about working out too (doesn't cost much more for 2 people vs. one) -- so we'll probably sign up. I think maybe actually knowing we have to pay will get me to actually go...
When I worked out years ago for 2mo that was a free 2mo the hospital (which has a seperate building on the property that is their gym) given to me when I had my son there... I didn't sign up there because it was almost 30min each way to that gym from my house and although I went often during that 2mo- I didn't think I'd KEEP going that often- so I didn't sign my life away there (haha). But this is so close... and DH will definitely go so I guess it's worth the little extra to pay for me and then once I'm paying I'm sure to go to get my monies worth (working out, plus the family swim time in the inside pool, etc.)

[landis]

Ya know I am not a maintainer yet but am very close. I think the key for me will be never to quit weighing at least once a week. Every time I have gained before it has been because I ignored the numbers and just gained before I realized it. This time I am NOT doing that! Also, I have to keep myself exercising. That makes a world of difference for me too. It not only makes me feel better but makes my new body look so much better!

[THINNER-2003]

I'll agree with the weighing (and measuring) thing... I think that's why I gain on vacation even while trying to stay on plan... no scale to keep me in check! LOL

(and I don't wear skin tight clothing... so I can gain 5-10lbs without really realizing it- especially when it's in my face, arms, thighs, etc.)

Thanks for the encouragement to keep exercising with your comments about it... I just started exercising and I'm not all that thrilled with it so far. HAHA Part of that is just laziness- but I have the energy... it's mostly just because just starting out it makes you HURT/ACHE all over. I hope to get through this phase soon. LOL

[CarolynF]

Hi gang...

I hit my goal in May..and have managed to maintain it within 2 pounds all summer..A minor miracle..in the past I have lost and
gained it all back..because I stopped doing WWers..but finally
I have learned to eat right..

I weigh myself everyday..because it keeps me on track and
just eat like I did when I was losing..only a little more protein..
etc..It seems to be working so far..

I probably will never eat another potato or a piece of white
bread OR anything with sugar..Can't do it..and don't want to.
I've been lowcarbing for 2 1/2 years and it has become a lifestyle..
...

Carolyn

Hi Linda...