Let's talk about maintenance

**sadie147** · December 3, 2007, 12:18 PM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

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

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** · December 4, 2007, 06:39 AM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

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

**kelly50** · December 4, 2007, 03:33 PM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

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

**sallyseachange** · December 5, 2007, 01:32 AM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

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** · December 5, 2007, 05:38 AM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

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** · December 5, 2007, 09:53 AM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

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** · December 6, 2007, 10:45 AM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

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** · December 6, 2007, 10:49 AM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

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** · December 6, 2007, 11:33 AM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

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.

**sillygirl** · December 6, 2007, 01:07 PM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

We love to talk about maintenance! It seems to be the consensus that maintaining is often more difficult than the losing phase. It is all about learning. The holidays should be interesting for us all.

Keep your eyes out for the I Am Worth It Challenge which is coming really soon. Being in maintenance at this time of year, you will be glad if you join that challenge!

**kelly50** · December 7, 2007, 05:17 AM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

Hi, Michelle, thank you for your response. You look beautiful! Congratulations on your weight loss and maintaining for 1 1/2 months.

I have a few questions after you started maintenance:

Did you know your max carbs and max calories/day when you reached goal?

Has your exercise level remained about the same?

Did either of above change in the last 1 1/2 months because your body "adjusted" to your new weight?

Have you been able to be less "focused" on your eating because your Atkins lifestyle is habit now or is it still a daily thought process?

Thank you for taking time to answer me.

**sadie147** · December 7, 2007, 10:48 AM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

Hi Kelly, I'm not Michelle but will give you a little of what i found:

Though i did reach my goal weight of120, i think that may have been a little low for my bodies liking, it seemed to like to settle at 125-128. I had a really hard time accepting this..and really fought to get back down...with no luck. After having a couple of friends/family mentioned that i had become too thin at one point, and myself realizing that i'm 38 now and not 20 (last time i'd been at this weight), I've happily settled at my goal weight of around 125. Recently I bought a pair of size junior 3 levis, and realized i have nothing to complain about!

Though i do exercise regularily, I don't exercise as much (5 days a week) as i did when losing, which i think it part of my 5lbs. but i have to be realistic as far as this being a lifetime way of life.

I didn't know what my max carbs were when i reached goal, i actually kept mine far lower than i should have, and i know realize that was a mistake. I was keeping them usually below 30 a day, when i now have realized they can be 50-90 net (depending on exercise). I do keep my eye on my calories, and i do now pick some lower calorie choices than i did previously.

As far as the focus on food: it took me quite a while, but it's more now of habit rather than an obsession. For me personally, I really had a 'carb phobia' issue that seemed to really consume me for quite some time. it gave me a real fear of foods at restaurants, others houses etc. I've managed to get over that, and though the carb counts and my choices are always in the back of my mind when eating anywhere, it's not as big of a phobia as it once was. My eating/food choices have become second nature for me now... but it was a struggle for me to get there personally. My keeping my carb counts way too low played a big role in this. I think finding your cclm is so important for this reason.

Sorry for the long post...hope some of this helps!

**kelly50** · December 8, 2007, 05:31 AM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

Hi, Sadie! Thank you for your excellent post.

Max calories, carb levels are a work in progress for me right now as they seem to be changing here lately. I will definitely be more attentive to my fitday info and see what I can tweek. Thought I found cclm last month, but not so it seems.

Exercise--big issue for me. I exercise about 1 hour, 5 times a week now. I haven't increased the time or days since I started this WOL. I want to do now what I will do in maintenance so I don't get burned out. Exercise is a big nut for me to crack as it is a discipline even though SOMETIMES I enjoy it.

Your comment about food choices being "second nature" to you now is comforting and encouraging to hear. Weight loss takes so much focus and energy. I look forward to not having to think about it so much.

Your thoughts are so appreciated. It certainly gives me food for thought!

**sillygirl** · December 11, 2007, 05:37 PM

Re: Let's talk about maintenance

I have to ditto Sadie147 with most of what she says. I really bumped up my food and carb intake in the home stretch. Now, I know that it is totally fine to have a starchy veggie, or piece of whole grain bread, or oatmeal in the morning. It really is the difference between whole food carbs and pretend foods.

Also, I am of the opinion that the longer we maintain a certain weight, the more comfortable our bodies will be at that weight and want to stay there. That's why I always say this is just the way I eat now. I have treats, but they're legal.

The up down in pounds will always be and there's not much I can do about that. What I can do is not return to my prior eating habits.

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