6 months in maintenance

[mykidsteacher]

And I think I finally trust it.

I don't obsess over every bite, especially not on an UD. I don't track every single day. Maybe 3 or so a week. I sometimes get a little diet fatigue and take a 'vacation' for a few days, and just do what I want. Sometimes that means I eat more, but sometimes, it means I just eat to satiety which tends to get me around 1200 cals/day (I do not lose when I do this though, which tells me my metabolism can still be stalled pretty easily).

I do have quite a few food restrictions--those who've been around awhile know this, but the newbies might not since I'm not around much these days. I have allergies to eggs, dairy, cashews, sunflower and garlic. And I have blood glucose issues if I have too many refined carbs or sugar. Wheat tends to make me bloated and miserable as well. So I tend to stay moderate carb (100g-130g on UDs). This usually helps keep my cravings under control (serious previous carb addict here).

But recently, I'd had a few weeks where I wasn't keeping as tight control on my bad for me foods, and so was at the top of my desired maint range (which is 124-126), or even a pound or 2 over. A week ago, I decided enough was enough, and went to 'clean' foods, and serious dd's of 600-700 calories. Within 3 dd's, I've shed the extra 3 pounds, I'm back at 124, and the muffin top is gone again.

I love that this plan lets you nip those little scale creep episodes in the bud before they get out of hand.

I no longer feel that all my weight is lurking in the shadows, ready to pile back on if I just ease up for a day or two. I do not worry that I will completely lose control if I have some goodies--even if they aren't "good" for me in other respects.

And when I do deviate, it doesn't take long for my body to tell me, "You know, you really don't feel that great, so why don't you have a good dd or 2 to make me happy again?" I am VERY aware of the anti-inflammatory effects of sirt-1. I can feel it in my hands and feet especially when I've been off plan, or eating bad for me foods--they ache and are puffy. Right now, they feel great.

My second dd this past week, I was sitting at the table in the morning, doing school with my dd, when all of a sudden, my sinuses did this massive drain thing--I was blowing and swallowing to beat the band. And in a couple of minutes, my head was SO CLEAR I was astounded. I hadn't even realized I'd been stuffy, until I suddenly wasn't.

When I first entered maintenance, I was so concerned about how to do it, if it would last, if I would mess it up, if I could really do it long term, etc.

But those feelings have gone, and I know that I really can do this forever. Because even if I get tired of it for a bit, my body brings me back to it, almost without me even thinking about it.

[gotsomeold]

Tina, that was a great synopsis/status update. You had such a complex and stressful journey - especially with the food allergies and sensitivity to all things inflammatory.

It is great you have reached a place so much better than 'goal'.

Reading this, I realized, every time we say 'Trust JUDDD' we are really saying (whether we know it or not) 'Trust Yourself'. Golly, that made me happy.

[mykidsteacher]

Thanks Nancy. It really is a trust thing. And I trust myself around food again in a way I haven't for a long time.

Forgot to mention I've also played around with a fast 5ish plan when I get a bit fatigued too. If it's a 'dd', keep my calories to around 200 until about 4pm, then eat if I'm hungry. If it's an UD, I work to get those UD cals in. If it's a dd, I will eat if I'm hungry and not if I'm not. Some of those dd's end up around 600 cals, some around 1200. But it's just another tool in the tool box.

[KeirasMom]

Awesome report. You definitely give me hope for a lifetime maintenance (once I get there)!

[Jbinme]

Glad to hear you are doing so well Tina.
We really are on a journey to find what is best for our bodies. Learning to listen and take action.
I feel like I have started to love myself enough to do this maybe for the first time in my life!

[Flossyliz]

What a beautiful post Tina! Thanks for sharing your wonderful realisations.

[cici52]

How nice to know when we reach our destination, we can maintain for an enjoyable life with very little fuss.

[vilanteira]

Tina, it's good and so helpful to hear how well you've been maintaining (I also remember all the trials you went through during your way down to maintenance and have learned a lot from what you've shared). Thanks for updating us, and I hope to be where you are eventually, particularly trust in the entire maintenance process.

[Whitlin']

Thank you Tina for the whole report. Thanks for the mention of the sinus thing,too, because I believe I have experienced that before and now that I think of it, it happened when I was keeping up with rotations well after a tough time back in spring. I'm not sure I associated it with JUDDD, but now I do. (I have been most impressed with breathing/respiratory help, though.) How interesting to think positive, anti-inflammatory things might well be happening throughout the body.

Great job staying right with your maintenance goals.

[vilanteira]

Originally Posted by Whitlin'

Thank you Tina for the whole report. Thanks for the mention of the sinus thing,too, because I believe I have experienced that before and now that I think of it, it happened when I was keeping up with rotations well after a tough time back in spring. I'm not sure I associated it with JUDDD, but now I do. (I have been most impressed with breathing/respiratory help, though.) How interesting to think positive, anti-inflammatory things might well be happening throughout the body.

Great job staying right with your maintenance goals.

I have experienced this as well, and it's only ever on DDs, never on UDs. I wonder if this is true for others as well? Early on, I started keeping track of the differences of how I felt/hunger levels/body and health issues, etc between UDs and DDs, and the sinus thing is a very consistent occurrence. Sinuses always clear out on DDs like magic. It was one of many things that convinced me that I wanted to do JUDDD forever.

[Carly]

It's so great to hear that you are doing well and are enjoying maintance and all the benefits of this WOE.

[leonak]

Hi Tina!

How great to read your post It is so helpful to all of us here!

I hope some day to feel like you do, but for now Main is not easy for me

Thanks For Posting!

Leona

[TryingJudd]

Congratulations - you are an inspiration!

[sungoddess]

Bless your heart for giving us hope. Someday I hope to maintain as well as you. Congratulations on all your success!

[LoCarbGal]

Thanks for this post, Tina. I love that you've figured out what your body needs and can keep yourself feeling your best.

I haven't had the dramatic sinus drain, but I suddenly realized the other day that my usual autumn seasonal allergy symptoms have been nearly non-existent this year, and with my having my house open quite often. This is fantastic!

MAGIC.....

[zipp2play]

TINA - thanks for checking in! MISS YOU GIRL!!!!!!!!