Let's talk about maintenance

[kelly50]

It seems this forum is fairly inactive. Strange considering this may be the most difficult part of Atkins. Stats show 95% of people who lose weight gain it within 5 years.

I am not there yet, but can see the "finish line" for my weight loss. Then the hard part comes. There are 3 issues for me:

Never return to restriction eating. I like having the foods of the 8 rungs so far. Being restricted in induction was very difficult. I think restrictions longterm could lead to binging and don't wanna do that!

Finding the weight my body wants to be, within reason, and being satisfied and proud of the weight I am maintaining.

Continuting the exercise lifestyle for life! A long commitment.

Valid Rouge and I had a little conversation in chat about this. Unfortunately the computer kept knocking me off line. Sorry, Valid, because I really wanted to talk with you. Next time.

Any thoughts maintainers, pre-maintenance members?

[sadie147]

Hi Kelly, actually we do have an extensive thread going in here that you can check out, we're not in here often, but we do pop in from time to time:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=43100 (Maintenance Frustration)

lots of good insite in this thread, very interesting to see how it works for everyone.

We also have a thread (a slow one..but it's there!) in the exercise forum called; goalies exercise challenge. It's kind of a place to pop in once in a while to check in.

[sillygirl]

Join the thread Sadie guided you to! We love to discuss maintenance!

[kelly50]

Thank you, sadie and silly. That is a VERY interesting thread!

[sallyseachange]

Originally Posted by sillygirl

Join the thread Sadie guided you to! We love to discuss maintenance!

Yes... it's good to have a place to talk about our maintenance experiences. There's always something to learn.
You're right Kelly... maintenance is actually harder than losing, but it's also extremely satisfying. Looking forward to seeing you hit goal and start off on the new maintenance journey.

[kelly50]

Sally, I have been thinking about maintenance alot for the last few weeks. I am amazed the weight has steadily come off--not fast--but it has consistently. The weight loss has been relatively easy. By that I mean the Atkins plan WORKS for me, even at 50+ years old, as I have followed the plan to a T and moved up the rungs.

My mindset has changed now from weight loss as my only goal, because I know I will lose the last 8 lbs, to how mentally and practically do I maintain my weight loss as the goal. Lots to think about.

[sallyseachange]

Originally Posted by kelly50

Sally, I have been thinking about maintenance alot for the last few weeks. I am amazed the weight has steadily come off--not fast--but it has consistently. The weight loss has been relatively easy. By that I mean the Atkins plan WORKS for me, even at 50+ years old, as I have followed the plan to a T and moved up the rungs.

My mindset has changed now from weight loss as my only goal, because I know I will lose the last 8 lbs, to how mentally and practically do I maintain my weight loss as the goal. Lots to think about.

Kelly... you're wise to think about maintenance a bit before getting there. Having a plan can only be a good thing.

One thing that helps me maintain is the promise Dr A asked of us in DANDR that we never go higher than a 5 lb gain; and if we do, that we go back to induction briefly and get back on track.
I decided to take that "pledge" seriously, when I hit goal, and seeing as I never want to have to do induction again, I usually cut back when I gain two or three lbs, rather than waiting until five. That way, by just tweaking the odd treat, I can easily get back to where I want to be. So far it's worked for me. Like you, I'm 50+ (54 to be exact).

Only 8 lbs to goal? You'll be there in no time!!

[kelly50]

Hi, Sally, thank you for your suggestion. My irl friends that are slender all say they use the 2-5 lb rule, too. Makes so much sense to me! At 54 years old (I'm 51) you and I know how hard it is to lose vs when we were kiddos and could drop 10 lbs in 2 weeks if need be!

Yep, 8 lbs from goal and am very happy with the 25 lbs loss so far, but it took 6 months to drop them. I figure it will take 2-3 months to get the finale 8lbs off. That is very OK with me. I want this lifestyle to STICK so the longer it takes the more time I have to ingrain this WOE.

Being successful on maintenace scares me a little, but it is so great to have successful, knowledgeable people like you and others here to help guide us!

[sallyseachange]

Originally Posted by kelly50

Hi, Sally, thank you for your suggestion. My irl friends that are slender all say they use the 2-5 lb rule, too. Makes so much sense to me! At 54 years old (I'm 51) you and I know how hard it is to lose vs when we were kiddos and could drop 10 lbs in 2 weeks if need be!

Yep, 8 lbs from goal and am very happy with the 25 lbs loss so far, but it took 6 months to drop them. I figure it will take 2-3 months to get the finale 8lbs off. That is very OK with me. I want this lifestyle to STICK so the longer it takes the more time I have to ingrain this WOE.

Being successful on maintenace scares me a little, but it is so great to have successful, knowledgeable people like you and others here to help guide us!

You'll be fine in maintenance... just wait and see!

[BLAZING IN FL]

Hey there...i'll talk maintenance with you...i'm a newbie maintenace person for about 1 1/2 months now....and it's a rollercoaster ride, but i'm on it and doing well...i cheated after thanksgiving and wished i hadn't...i have to move back in the rungs to drop the 4 lbs i gained, but now i'm back to my goal weight and back to my avg of 64 net carbs a day and have had a good "no cheating" lesson learned.