Maintainance Woes Anyone Relate?

[homestretch]

I have been happily maintaining my weight for the last 6 weeks. It has not been without its trials and I am still trying to get a grasp on it. My biggest problem is that I will eat more and then in my head I convince myself that I have gained a ton of weight. I look in the mirror and feel disgusted with myself only to get back on the scale and have stayed the same (thank goodness). Why do I think my body looks so much bigger than it did 6 weeks ago when I hit goal? Does the honeymoon phase wear off and the new smaller you stop looking so small? I think my weight is so perfect *for me* because I am not struggling to stay at this weight, my body seems to really like being here. Eating right (most days) and exercising keeps me at goal. However, I have been really considering losing more because I feel bigger than I did. Anyone else feel this way after being at goal for a few weeks?

[JuliaL]

It sounds like you are having conflicting feelings about your weight right now. On the one hand you said you feel comfortable at this weight and feel like it's the best weight for you, but on the other hand you think you don't look good. What kind of exercise are you doing? Just wondering because if you're only doing cardio you might want to consider weight lifting. Lifting weights will reshape your body - you might like the way you look more if you have some muscle definition.

[Texoma]

I think we all have fat days no matter what our weight. It doesn't have much to do with the number on the scale but is more emotional. The Rx to shake it off is shower, shave, blowdry, style, put on makeup and a favorite pair of jeans. You'll feel better in no time.

[Kissa]

Homestretch I do know what you mean.

But the truth is we are all a bit hooked on seeing the scales drop, staying the same is a bit dull!

If you want to try dropping another couple of pounds fine, but the weights idea isn't a bad one at all. Try letting the tape measure be your friend for a while.

[Dharma]

IKWYM. One day I think I look good, the next I'm a rolly polly with fat cheeks....

My problem is, I can't lose any more weight even though I would like to!!

[JuliaL]

Originally Posted by Kissa

But the truth is we are all a bit hooked on seeing the scales drop, staying the same is a bit dull!

This is so true, and the main reason I had to set other fitness goals for myself besides the number on the scale. If you're getting all your gratification from that, you are setting yourself up for frustration. Some people even get so obsessed with it that it contributes to disordered eating.

The best thing I did for myself in maintenance was to back off the scale. I started weighing once a week instead of twice a day, and a funny thing happened. I began to feel more in control, not less!

[BellaHMB]

I understand! Some days I feel trim and other days I feel heavier. I wouldnt say fat,
because I know Im not. But it seems if Im at my lowest weight then I feel good about myself. I think this is definitely a trap and probably related to self image and critical thinking. Sometimes I wonder will I ever be happy with myself??

Secondly I think that along the way when I was losing I would look at my thinning self and think I looked so good which might have been 30 lbs more than I weigh now!
So it's all about self perception.

Bella

[homestretch]

Originally Posted by JuliaL

It sounds like you are having conflicting feelings about your weight right now. On the one hand you said you feel comfortable at this weight and feel like it's the best weight for you, but on the other hand you think you don't look good. What kind of exercise are you doing? Just wondering because if you're only doing cardio you might want to consider weight lifting. Lifting weights will reshape your body - you might like the way you look more if you have some muscle definition.

I do mostly cardio because I am addicted to it. I had lifted weights for about a year and a half and then pulled a muscle in my neck and have not gotten back to it since. I was feeling awesome about the way that I looked but then something changed and I started seeing myself heavier. It is weird.

[homestretch]

Thanks for everyone's input. I remember after posting this that while losing I had one week a month when I was very gloom and doom and thought that I would never lose another ounce. This was that week out of the month but the difference was that I was maintaining instead of losing so I did not identify with the emotional swing.

Texoma, thanks and you are right. Sometimes we forget that we can look quite nice when we take time to really take care of ourselves!

[Deb79fl]

Hi Homestretch!

Not in maintenance yet, but I was talking with hubby just tonight about the same subject. I gave away & donated all of my fat clothes and came to realize that I should have kept one of my fat outfits as "proof" of where I had been! I've been close to the same weight for about a month and am now "used" to my new reflection. Whenever I was having one of those days where I felt fat or like I hadn't made any progress, I would always pull out one of my "fat pants" and the laugh because they were falling down! Always got myself out of the "black mood" I was in. Hormones, I tell ya are the devil!!

You look marvelous and have done great, gotten thinner, healthier, and look so young in your new pic! You're fabulous and don't forget it!

[LaurieRobo]

Originally Posted by homestretch

I do mostly cardio because I am addicted to it. I had lifted weights for about a year and a half and then pulled a muscle in my neck and have not gotten back to it since. I was feeling awesome about the way that I looked but then something changed and I started seeing myself heavier. It is weird.

I was the same way and this summer added weight training back. Right now I'm struggling a bit becaues for the first time I feel that I look better nekid than in clothes. If I stand in front of the mirror nekid, I like what I see but when I put on clothes I feel more bulky - I'm sure it is just another all in my head thing...

I have just adjusted my goal up a little - I'm not sure that I've accepted it in my head... I'm still hoping as I ramp up my miles for my 1/2 the pounds will melt off.... I know that is probably isn't the case but I can dream right!!!

what else to do but keep plugging away... These feelings are what seperate losing weight and maintaining weight in my mind!

[girl81]

Originally Posted by homestretch

I do mostly cardio because I am addicted to it. I had lifted weights for about a year and a half and then pulled a muscle in my neck and have not gotten back to it since. I was feeling awesome about the way that I looked but then something changed and I started seeing myself heavier. It is weird.

I can relate. In my life, stressors unrelated to my physical state can often leave me feeling inadequate in appearance. No connection or rational logic behind it; I can get a B on a test and all of the sudden my thighs feel huge.

[JuliaL]

Originally Posted by homestretch

I do mostly cardio because I am addicted to it. I had lifted weights for about a year and a half and then pulled a muscle in my neck and have not gotten back to it since. I was feeling awesome about the way that I looked but then something changed and I started seeing myself heavier. It is weird.

Doing all cardio could be part of the problem. I quit lifting weights this past summer because DH and I got into cycling. I was riding for about an hour a day, and that's all the time I really have for exercise, so I didn't lift weights. Over the summer I gained about 5 lbs.! I really think weight lifting helps keep the weight off, but I can relate to your cardio addiction. I love those endorphins too!

[BellaHMB]

Weights keep your body toned, and I do think we look more trim when we
are doing them! I do a combo of strength training twice a week and cardio 5-6
times per week.

Bella

[homestretch]

Originally Posted by Deb79fl

Hi Homestretch!

Not in maintenance yet, but I was talking with hubby just tonight about the same subject. I gave away & donated all of my fat clothes and came to realize that I should have kept one of my fat outfits as "proof" of where I had been! I've been close to the same weight for about a month and am now "used" to my new reflection. Whenever I was having one of those days where I felt fat or like I hadn't made any progress, I would always pull out one of my "fat pants" and the laugh because they were falling down! Always got myself out of the "black mood" I was in. Hormones, I tell ya are the devil!!

You look marvelous and have done great, gotten thinner, healthier, and look so young in your new pic! You're fabulous and don't forget it!

Thanks Deb! I did the same thing and I did not even keep a single pair of fat pants. At the time I just wanted them out of my life. Now I kinda wish I had a pair just to see how far I have come! You are doing so awesome, after the holidays your scale will budge again.

[homestretch]

Originally Posted by JuliaL

Doing all cardio could be part of the problem. I quit lifting weights this past summer because DH and I got into cycling. I was riding for about an hour a day, and that's all the time I really have for exercise, so I didn't lift weights. Over the summer I gained about 5 lbs.! I really think weight lifting helps keep the weight off, but I can relate to your cardio addiction. I love those endorphins too!

You are probably right. I need to give some serious thought to getting back into weights. When it was warm I did a 3 mile hike several times a week that was all hills and that toned my midsection like nothing else. But even setting the incline on the treadmill high, it just does not compare. My legs are so toned from all the cardio but the upper body is another story!

[homestretch]

Originally Posted by LaurieRobo

I was the same way and this summer added weight training back. Right now I'm struggling a bit becaues for the first time I feel that I look better nekid than in clothes. If I stand in front of the mirror nekid, I like what I see but when I put on clothes I feel more bulky - I'm sure it is just another all in my head thing...

I have just adjusted my goal up a little - I'm not sure that I've accepted it in my head... I'm still hoping as I ramp up my miles for my 1/2 the pounds will melt off.... I know that is probably isn't the case but I can dream right!!!

what else to do but keep plugging away... These feelings are what seperate losing weight and maintaining weight in my mind!

Holy smokes it has been a long time since I looked better nekid than with clothes on....good for you! Right now clothes are my best friend but being nakid is much easier than it was 50 pounds ago.