Maintainers.....your expertise is needed!

[CartBabe]

I have been at this weight for a very long time. It seems at this point, in order to lose five pounds it takes over a year! NOW, it seems that no matter if I eat too little, m/e fast, too many calories, etc.....nothing makes ANY difference. I just stay the same. I want so badly to get into the 105-110 pound range, and as you can see it is only a few pounds! Does anyone have any suggestions? Induction doesn't make any more difference than maintenance. It is frustrating at this point to come SO far, and not be able to get to that finish line. ANY advice would be welcomed. Thanks!!!

Mary

[zip2play]

Congratulations on making 2 goals: 135, and now 110-115. Your avatar change is AMAZING, to say the least...partner said it was 2 different people: from Rosie O'Donnell to Catherine Deneuve!

I think it's common for low-carb to just stop having any more effect after hitting what the body perceives as a bottom weight. Once perma-Induction stops having any effect there's nowhere else to go...and it;s a miserable way to eat...and not safe.

THe only thing that will get you down further is caloric restriction. You can do this and let up a LOT on carb control.
I'd suggest trying a FAITHFUL 1500 well counted calories/day with up to 200 of them carbs, as low glycemic as comfortable. A food scale is invaluable.

If 1500 calories doesn't get you wat you want or seems to be too slow, drop down to 1200-1300 calories. You don't want anything drastic but rather something you can live with for a LONG time.

Throwing more exercise into the mix will pay dividends.

At 105, though, you must PROMISE not to again lower your goal to 99 pounds.

[embwriting]

First off, I think you've done an awesome transformation!

I was just wondering why you want to drop more pounds? Is it because you truly want to weigh less (do you think that is your ideal weight) or is it because you have a little bit of stubborn fast somewhere that you want to get rid of?

If it's the latter, I think you mentioned you don't exercise? You might want to try a 3x/week light weight, whole body workout to help with that. Though your scale might go up a little, you'll probably be happy with the fat gone, plus having more definition.

[Jewels]

I maintained for 19 months and started the creep up the scale then. I'd go back to very low carb but it just wasn't working anymore. I'm only 5'1'' (shrunk 1'') and I just can't take in all those calories anymore. So I started cutting back on calories and portions.. It still comes down to calories in, calories out!!
You've done wonderful so far. You and I and I think many of us maintainers have made a new goal after reaching our first one. I got down to 115 for awhile and now realized I looked like death warmed over...spell gaunt!

So I'm asking, how tall are you for that weight? Maybe learn to love yourself at that weight. Unless you are under 100, I would say to enjoy your loss and your life.

Like Zip said, exercise is a must for maintaining. You concentrate less on what and how much your eating if you exercise. It raises the endorphines and burns excess calories. I don't know how anybody can maintain their goal without exercising. Some people may say they do it but they must have metabolism's that are very high.

Good luck with your goals and take care of yourself.

[BarbCO]

Oh boy, expertize wanted!! We LOVE giving advice.

What Roger said I agree with - I did the same. I controlled carbs until I wanted to lost the last amount of weight and then I believe that calories and portions make a difference.

I also agree that exercise is extremely important at this stage even more so than at the beginning of weight loss. I started using the "FIRM" tapes last summer of weight loss and it really helped!

Mary, you have done a wonderful job and just wanting it - makes all the difference.

Barb

[CartBabe]

Thanks guys. I really do appreciate your input. My dismay comes from the fact that I HAVE started exercising, and I have been on strict 1000-1200 calories a day forever. The frustration and more the FEAR of regaining, causes me to press for the lower weight as sort of an "insurance"....know what I mean?
I love your expertise and welcome it completely!

[MaryMary]

You said you are 5'3". Why is it so important to be under 110 lbs. Maybe the solution is within you and accepting yourself regardless of the number. I have a friend who is 5'2" and weighs 128 wearing a size 4. She is strong and has muscles. Owns her own farm, and maintains it herself. Muscles take up less space than the opposite but you will weigh more with muscles. The number on the scale is relative. I don't give it the power anymore. I want to keep the power within me and be lean with some muscles.

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Originally Posted by CartBabe

Thanks guys. I really do appreciate your input. My dismay comes from the fact that I HAVE started exercising, and I have been on strict 1000-1200 calories a day forever. The frustration and more the FEAR of regaining, causes me to press for the lower weight as sort of an "insurance"....know what I mean?
I love your expertise and welcome it completely!

I know exactly what you mean. Problem is we don't always know what is best for us. When I did lose too much I was really talked bad about and I do mean from people who love me the most. DH and my children, friends, other relatives all were truly concerned about me. They honestly thought I was either suffering from an eating disorder or seriously ill. I'll have to admit, I didn't like the way my "bag of bones" looked either. I was embarassed for DH to see me in my birthday suit. Never thought the day would come when I would be embarassed because I looked to thin naked. Now I struggle to keep my weight down but quite frankly know that I look much better at my current weight. You have such a beautiful muscular build and look even thinner than your weight. Maybe there just isn't any fat left to lose. Hope things are going well for you. I'll have to agree, its the pits when you exercise and eat 1000-1200 calories a day and the dern scale refuses to budge. Sometimes I get afraid I've messed my metabolism up and will never be able to go back to the 1800-2000 calories I was enjoying just a little over a year ago. Good Luck. You have worked hard and deserve to be happy with your weight and the way you see yourself! Ann

[LoveMontana]

No advice to offer since I'm still trying ( not so hard though) to lose the 8 lbs I gained after I quit smoking.

I did just want to say you look AWESOME and a huge congratulations on losing that weight.

Like both Mary and Ann said, sometimes we can be too thin. A saggy, bag of bones is NOT attractive. Believe me, I've been there.

[CartBabe]

Thanks to all of you! I really appreciate your advice and words of encouragement! Some days I catch a glimpse of being happy at this weight. Maybe it will happen soon!

[Tater Head]

I don't know if this helps or not but you look thinner then my sister, she is 5'3" and weighs 103 pounds. You have more muscle tone then she does, so thats why you look thinner I think.

[CartBabe]

Hmmm...Thanks for that info! I will have to ponder that!

[5cats4me]

I don't have any better advise than anyone above, I just want to say you do look wonderful and to have fun, love your family, enjoy the new you and stop worrying about the number on the scale. You've come too far to not enjoy what you've worked so hard to achieve! In the long run- is fretting and agonizing over 5 lbs really worth it? Accept yourself as you are, which is beautiful and don't waste another minute thinking about it!

[Davian]

CartBabe - I totally HEAR you. I've been struggling for a flippin' year now. Did it all M/E, Banta, FFast, Atkin's '72 etc... Went from 1800 calories to a low of 1000 to 1200. I exercise vigorously for 1 hour + 5 to 6 days a week. I drink only water and plenty of it. Absolutely nothing I do now matters - I can't lose any more weight either. I have hit more than a plateau and I really understand the frustration. I don't know what happens - you're losing, losing, losing (in fact practically melting) then bam Stop. Everyone told me to up the exercise, water and lower the calories - been there, done that - did nothing but kill my work outs. I'm currently doing the "road not taken" and upped my calories back to 1800 to 1900 (goal is 2100) - I have only gained 3 lbs. in 4 months doing this (2lbs was LBM). My workouts are great and I feel good. I'm hoping to raise my metabolism now (2100 cals. day) then when next spring approaches I'm going to try lowering it to 1700. Maybe all the previous calorie lowering killed my system and it needs a period of adjustment. I'm going to see what happens but I'm done with this endless "dieting" and getting nowhere. You might be at the same point.

I've been following your progress for well over a year and am utterly amazed at your results. You did a great job and should be very proud of yourself.

[idioglossic]

I went to yogourt plain for breakfast and dinner and protein and veggies for lunch and the last pounds came off... I eat 32 oz of yogourt per day and love it...