Stay On Track Maintenance Challenge!

[BellaHMB]

Here it is!

Now we can chat about what kind of challenge we want to create, for how long and set personal goals.

Maybe a daily checkin?

I decided to use the word "stay" instead of "back" to be more positive

Bella

[momov2boys]

Great idea, Bella!

My personal goal is to get back to weighing 102 and then stay there.

In all honesty, I haven't really had control over my eating in more than 6 months.

I've been struggling, making poor choices, restricting, followed by overeating/bingeing, etc. It's not been fun!

I've been playing with these same darn 5 pounds for way too long now.

I must start living and stop giving carbs calories so much importance in my life. Yet, if I don't regain control, I'll only continue to gain...

As much as the "all or nothing" attitude often drives me (and then makes me feel like I've failed), I have come to realize that it gets me more into trouble than it does me good.

That said, (and as hard as I've tried), I stink at moderation.
At this point, I feel the need to "box out" all sweets, nuts, and even fruit.
I'm left with protein, vegetables, some dairy, fats, and wine!

Why, oh why, does it have to be so complicated for me?

All I truly want (quite badly at this point), is to be able to enjoy life beyond food. Oh, and also to be thin.

For now, a more specific goal will be to weigh 102 by next Friday, October 26.

[hhhmom74]

Love the idea of this challenge!

I want to get back down to 120 by my 33rd birthday on the 25th. The I want to maintain between 115-120. I am kicking my workouts up a notch so I hope this helps me maintain better.

I know that I am addicted to cream cheese (although I have been cream cheese free since Thursday 10/11)!!! I can't have it in the house at all right now!

[Texoma]

Count me in! I need support but my challenges are a bit different from others who are in full weight loss mode.

[BellaHMB]

Great!

So do we want to each set our own goals? We can then check in about how we are doing with them.

Mine has to do with staying away from legal carbs that make my hunger increase! So far Im not gaining, but I think it would really only be a matter of time.

So for this week Im off oatmeal. Period.

Bella

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

I'm in. I need it bad. I had been doing so good with Maintenance since January (I was actually content with my eating) until I went to that wedding last month. I've struggled ever since and its only getting worse. Once you go back to the "kiss of death" (taste of sugar in my case) you have to almost start all over. I just need to start clean.

For me it will be higher fat and protein to try to get back into ketosis and lose my desire for sweets. Then I'll gradually move back into Pre-Maintenance pretty quickly. More later.

Good luck everyone!

[momov2boys]

Originally Posted by JONAH'S GRANNY

Once you go back to the "kiss of death" (taste of sugar in my case) you have to almost start all over. I just need to start clean.

For me it will be higher fat and protein to try to get back into ketosis and lose my desire for sweets.

Me, too.
We can do it!!!

[momov2boys]

My menu for today:

L-grilled chicken breast and cheddar cheese

(afternoon coffee w/Davinci's and H&H)

D-grilled chicken breast, cheddar cheese and wine.

Happy Tuesday.

[hhhmom74]

I made it through yesterday w/induction! I am hoping within the next day or two I will feel more in control.

Here's my menu for today
B: 2 sausage patties and diet coke
s: 2 cheesesticks
L: 1/2 cup homemade chicken salad and 2 cups lettuce w/italian dressing
s: 16 oz chocolate protein shake
D: chicken fajita salad w/ranch dressing and iced green tea

Atleast 120 oz water!

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

I was not so good again yesterday but got up with a new mentality this Morning. I don't know how long it will last. I felt so big and bloated and wouldn't dare put on a pair of my Size 2 or 4 pants. Wore a big loose dress instead.

Will post menu later.

[LaurieRobo]

I'm in... I think Texoma said it best.... Our challenges are very different from those in weightloss mode.


My biggest thing right now is to eat only when I'm hungry. I don't need that snack just because it is XXX time and I should or I'm bored or whatever other reason.

I want to fuel my workouts with good quality food and as much as I need to satisfy my hunger without eating for the sake of eating.

B: coffee of course - BIG OLE FAWN's shake

1/2 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup full fat yogurt
2 tbls mixed nuts
1 scoop vanilla pr
1.5 cups shredded cabbage
1.5 cups broc slaw

[liza15]

For me -after much thought I have decided that I need to totally eliminate grain foods from my diet forever. I keep thinking that I can eat them in controlled portions or on special occasions, but it never works out that way. I also have decided that I will no longer buy bagged snack foods for my husband (too bad honey...don't cry...) because 9 times out of ten I will break down and eat them.

[BellaHMB]

Those darn grains...!

I have been eating better now for 4 days and my cravings have subsided alot. I have been allowing myself to eat more protein than before and not worry so much about the calories. Im averaging around 1500, and not as hungry as I was before. So instead of grabbing a snacky thing in between meals Im trying to eat small portions of protein like 1/2 piece cheese and meat.

Bella

[LaurieRobo]

I'm still very careful with grains - I know they don't work well for me...

I LOVE oatmeal - I've tried every way to sunday to make it work for me and it just doesn't - I'm jealous of those who can eat it.

[Kissa]

This thread is a great idea, I don't feel the need just at present as I feel very up and in control. I will lurk though.

Good luck ladies.

[liza15]

Yes those grains are like some kind of drug for me.... even though so many of the things I used to eat don't even taste that good any more- and are so bloating, I still can't stop eating or thinking about them. I think I just have to be one of those all or nothing people. It is easier for me to just say I can't have it EVER, then to try and constantly fight this battle. I actually feel an enormous sense of relief- just to not think about this anymore. To have gone the thing that is causing me such grief.

[Loretta V]

I will lurk here too for a while.

I am not sure how much effort I want to put into really chaning my eating patterns. I feel very satisfied for the most part and think that I do not want to be too thin for my age. If I have to COUNT anything I will tire of the "work" of maintianing. I just want to enjoy it and this new woe. I really don't think that 2 or 3 pounds will be earth shattering for me.

KUTGW!!! I think its a good idea and I will look for some "food for thought."

[momov2boys]

KUTGW Rachel, Cindy, and Loretta!

Originally Posted by JONAH'S GRANNY

I was not so good again yesterday but got up with a new mentality this Morning.

Same here, Ann!
Let's work hard to make our new and better mentality stick!!!

Originally Posted by LaurieRobo

My biggest thing right now is to eat only when I'm hungry.

I know! It seems pretty simplistic, but is totally complex.
I, too, continue to work on eating ONLY when truly hungry.
We'll keep at it!

Originally Posted by BellaHMB

Those darn grains...!

I have been eating better now for 4 days and my cravings have subsided alot. I have been allowing myself to eat more protein than before and not worry so much about the calories. Im averaging around 1500, and not as hungry as I was before. So instead of grabbing a snacky thing in between meals Im trying to eat small portions of protein like 1/2 piece cheese and meat.

Good for you, Bella!

Originally Posted by liza15

Yes those grains are like some kind of drug for me.... even though so many of the things I used to eat don't even taste that good any more- and are so bloating, I still can't stop eating or thinking about them. I think I just have to be one of those all or nothing people. It is easier for me to just say I can't have it EVER, then to try and constantly fight this battle. I actually feel an enormous sense of relief- just to not think about this anymore. To have gone the thing that is causing me such grief.

I completely relate, Liza.
It's exactly the same thing with me and PB.
And...who really needs either?
Not us!!!

[steady]

Hey Girls:
I want to give you my support during your challenge. Maintenance is such a balancing act. I look forward to reading about your progress.

Bella and Laurie- it is easier for me to restrain grains since "fear" of cravings outweighs the "desire" for grains...I admire that you have the guts to try!

Rebecca-If it is any comfort I stink at moderation too! Realize you are human and you are not the alone with this problem. I think you have a good plan...break the cycle by going back to basics. Try not to see your plan as restraint...remember this is more a mind game than it is about food. Restraint starts the cycle, but try to see this time as NEW course of action toward a WOE that can last beyond getting to 102.

I have every confidence you all will meet this challenge!

[momov2boys]

Originally Posted by steady

...remember this is more a mind game than it is about food. Restraint starts the cycle, but try to see this time as NEW course of action toward a WOE that can last beyond getting to 102.

You are so right, Steady.
It's all mindset.

Sadly, I never had such issues with food prior to LCing.
(I was also a bit heavier, too, but I (sometimes) wonder if I may have been better off, in ways, back then.

I'm giving LC more time.
However, if I am still bingeing into December, I will seriously re-think LC and consider doing Intuitive Eating, as it was intended.

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Sadly, I never had such issues with food prior to LCing.

Me too. I made this comment the other day on another post.

[Kissa]

My life since 21 has been about yo yo dieting. I have found peace with the LC way of life. It has been my saviour.

I feel better, look better and have virtually no mood swings. This site is a bit of an addiction though....

[steady]

That is so strange I had food issues before I started LC. LC had resolved many of my food issues...it really have saved my sanity.

[hhhmom74]

I, too, never had issues with food until I started LCing! I sometimes wonder if I will fight it for the rest of my life now.

[momov2boys]

Originally Posted by hhhmom74

I, too, never had issues with food until I started LCing! I sometimes wonder if I will fight it for the rest of my life now.

Same here.

[BellaHMB]

Yes but.... if we were overweight then dont you think we had issues with food?

Bella