Losing Weight and keeping it OFF?

[godsbeloved79]

Your thoughts?

[Elizellen]

My thoughts are 'I hope I can' keep it off when I get there1

What are your thoughts on the subject?

[sallyseachange]

My thoughts are that maintenance turned out to be more of a challenge for me, than the actual weight loss phase was. This came as quite a surprise.
I mean, it isn't hard, but it can be a bit of a juggling act and you (or at least I) always have to be on guard. I use fitday still, religiously and find it keeps me on the right path. Exercise is also a must.
Having said that... I'd also say that maintenance is totally wonderful. It's such a relief to be the weight I want to be and to feel good in my skin, that it's well worth staying on guard. Also the foods we can eat on maintenance are terrific. Certainly not a diet, but a way of life... a great one!

[godsbeloved79]

Originally Posted by Elizellen

My thoughts are 'I hope I can' keep it off when I get there1

What are your thoughts on the subject?

I feel the same as you do. I want the roller coaster to finally be over and maintain. I also want to be able to wear my size 10-12's comfy!

[julirama723]

I certainly hope I'll be able to! My first step is getting to goal, and I've been reading a lot of posts by the "goalies" and am finally understanding how hard maintenance really is. My biggest worry is that I'll lose that "working towards a goal" momentum. But I think that I'll ALWAYS have a goal that I'm working towards, whether it's lowering my body fat %, or working on my 6-pack (ha ha! that'll be the day), or improving my running by distance and time. I think for me, the important thing will be always having something to look forward to.

I feel pretty confident in the way I eat, knowing that I can carry this on for a lifetime. I don't ever feel like I'm on a "diet". I just feel like I eat very healthy foods, I enjoy exercise, and the weight loss is just a bonus!

[Kawispice]

What helped me in the past to maintain my weight was coming off a diet very slowly, just as Dr. Atkins says. The faster you come off it the harder it is to maintain your weight for some reason.

The other thing was that I exercised regularly, things I liked to do. Going to the gym was hard, I had to motivate myself so I went with friends. We always had a good time together. The odd illness like the flu would set me back 2 weeks at a time, but I'd be back in full force later. I liked to move, to dance, for example, so I took dance classes. I love Pilates too which is what I am doing now.

This last year a person very close to me died and I was not able to keep up my regular routines. It showed up in weight gain. But dieting takes a great toll on me. My body is simply not diet (losing weight type) friendly. I will be ecstatic when it is finally over.

[godsbeloved79]

Originally Posted by julirama723

I certainly hope I'll be able to! My first step is getting to goal, and I've been reading a lot of posts by the "goalies" and am finally understanding how hard maintenance really is. My biggest worry is that I'll lose that "working towards a goal" momentum. But I think that I'll ALWAYS have a goal that I'm working towards, whether it's lowering my body fat %, or working on my 6-pack (ha ha! that'll be the day), or improving my running by distance and time. I think for me, the important thing will be always having something to look forward to.

I feel pretty confident in the way I eat, knowing that I can carry this on for a lifetime. I don't ever feel like I'm on a "diet". I just feel like I eat very healthy foods, I enjoy exercise, and the weight loss is just a bonus!

Thanks for such a POSITIVE post!

I see you reaching goal and staying there .

[Alexa]

I don't want to tempt fate but I am DETERMINED to get to goal and maintain because:

- I love the food this WOL does let you have, nicer that cheapy sugary cakes anyday
- I don't want to waste all this effort I've put in
- I feel great! More in control, happier and fitter

I do realise that maintenance will be hard, as pre-maintenance will be and that life is not predictable but I am going to try in put in place a structure to make sure I will notice and take action, if I backslide - like throwing away the big clothes, weighing and measuring frequently. I plan to always work out my carbs.

[Jace]

Eternal vigilance is the key...not easy, but I find that's the only way to not put it back on.

My biggest problem is I'm a little shy around food now. I'm dreadfully afraid of putting the weight back on that I always end up far under my daily carb limits. Problem is, because I'm not eating enough (I say that in the majoritve sense as I'm not purposely staying under. I'm just not hungry and needing as much food as required to maintain my current weight), the weight is still coming off. I'm down to 162 now when my goal was 175. I wholeheartedly want to stop losing weight because, as it stands, I'm only 7 lbs away from being considered "underweight".

It's more of an emotional problem that I'm currently dealing with and hopefully I'll get to a point where I'm no so scared of food, but as you can see weight loss is a constant war that you can only win by staying vigilant whether trying to stop losing weight or avoid putting it back on. It's easier to lose than to maintain!

~Far la bella figura!

[guekjian]

Hey Jace, first time I did Atkins I also went past my goal weight. It was just coming off effortlessly. In retrospect, I see that it did take time, probably averaged 1-2 pounds a week max, but it stayed off until I met a man who wanted me fat so that others would not look at me...and I just dug into the pasta and wine like there was no tomorrow...I know better now! I understand about your being "afraid"! of food. I feel the same way and I am still far from goal. At least you realize that it is an emotional thing. YOU WILL SOLVE IT! Remember, you've got support here. Hugs...