Anyone Successfully Maintaining? If so, How Are You Doing It?

[MinnieMel]

Hi,

Several "newbies", "nearly theres", "future planners" and "been there couldn't stayers" have all been asking about:

What To Do To Keep It Off?

I scanned through some of the "Maintenance" diaries and, it seems as if those who are posting in theirs have reached goal, but are now trying to get back there. Some have a longer trip back to goal than others, but most are working on it ATM.

If you feel like it, please post on this thread what you have learned about maintaining (or not) your weight loss once you have reached goal.

MinnieMel

 

[MinnieMel]

MinnieMel's Struggle to Keep It Off

Please Forgive Me if you read this before (as I have written all this out many times on this forum) --

In July to October 2008, I lost 5 stone on LL

It was the first time I had been able to lose more than 2 stone in 13 years-- which is how long I had been trying to lose weight.

SS'd for 12 weeks, adding in exercise gradually until I was doing 3 classes a week, moved into Management and then "dropped out" after a few weeks, because my co-dieter could no longer make the meetings work with her schedule and because the meetings just weren't the same as in Foundation.:wave_cry:

Oct - Jan 2009: Doing a Low GI/SB thing and kept losing a bit and exercising regularly.

Feb 2009: Started slacking on the exercise at times, but still using a Low GI/Low Carb diet maintained my weight.

Aug 2009: Gained 9 pounds while in the US for over 3 weeks. (Bad choices all the way around food wise). Tried to diet them off, and lost then, regained and was up about a stone (from goal) by mid-autumn.

Jan. 2010 -- May 2010 stayed at about 1 to 1.5 stone. Had a cancer scare (which went on until mid-August .. and when I got an all clear) and was about 2 stone up at this point.

August 2010 -- Went on holiday and gained six pounds. I had gained back approximately 1/2 of what I had lost in 2008. :cry:

Late Aug. 2010 -- Dec. 2010 -- YoYo'd on CD, off, On, Off, On, Off -- I kept losing 1/2 stone and gaining it back. I went to Spain in October and stop weighing myself.

Dec. 27, 2010 -- I had not weighed myself since Oct. 13th. BUT, I KNEW I was obese again, or very nearly. So, I started SSing and did not weigh myself until until January 2nd, 2011. I weighed 1 pound more than I had on October 13th.

Since, December 27, 2010 -- I SS'd for about 3 weeks, and am gradually adding back in exercise, drinking my water (which I know I should never have stopped doing), and have been using 4 CD type products daily, watching my calories and carbs. I am staying in ketosis and am also keeping it between 650 and 980 calories a day.

I have lost 9 pounds so far... not counting the first week's losses, as I did not weigh myself until January 2nd.

I have learned that it is coming off about 25% more slowly than it did the first time. I have also learned that it works best of me to stick to replacements as much as possible, as portion control is my weakness, along with sugar and carbs.

And, I knew before ever starting LL -- that unless I find a fitness (exercise) plan that is sustainable for me, I am very likely to regain the weight. I am not young, small boned, not tall, and do not need very many calories to sustain my body weight. Having done a VLCD, my metabolism is even more slowed, and it will take a long time to readjust.

I am working on my "Maintenance Plan" -- and hope very much to never again allow my weight to become so far out of control. And, it is ALL ABOUT CONTROL -- for the most part.

MinnieMel

 

[Chelsea Lou]

Mel, I have no idea about how to maintain as I kind of panicked when I was 9-10lbs away from goal and didn't work up the plan. Faffed about until the majority of it went back on again over the past 18 months. It will be interesting to see what others do though and hopefully it will give me some tips for the future. I am also hoping my Beck book will change my mindset and yo yo-ing will be a thing of the past and I will keep to a nice steady weight.

xx

 

[MinnieMel]

I am also hoping my Beck book will change my mindset and yo yo-ing will be a thing of the past and I will keep to a nice steady weight.

xx

@Chels Loo --

I have been reading about this "Beck book" and may have a look at it. It sounds as if it could be helpful.

I just finished reading the India and Neris book -- and all honestly, it is very readable, but it is an Atkins to Southbeach diet. Nothing new here -- except the emphasis on no chemicals, organic, etc.

BTW I had already had my 3 l of water (a record for me) and not only have I "wee'd for Britain", I find that it has flushed the other system.

MM

 

[Chelsea Lou]

Please Forgive Me if you read this before (as I have written all this out many times on this forum) --

In July to October 2008, I lost 5 stone on LL

It was the first time I had been able to lose more than 2 stone in 13 years-- which is how long I had been trying to lose weight.

SS'd for 12 weeks, adding in exercise gradually until I was doing 3 classes a week, moved into Management and then "dropped out" after a few weeks, because my co-dieter could no longer make the meetings work with her schedule and because the meetings just weren't the same as in Foundation.:wave_cry:

Oct - Jan 2009: Doing a Low GI/SB thing and kept losing a bit and exercising regularly.

Feb 2009: Started slacking on the exercise at times, but still using a Low GI/Low Carb diet maintained my weight.

Aug 2009: Gained 9 pounds while in the US for over 3 weeks. (Bad choices all the way around food wise). Tried to diet them off, and lost then, regained and was up about a stone (from goal) by mid-autumn.

Jan. 2010 -- May 2010 stayed at about 1 to 1.5 stone. Had a cancer scare (which went on until mid-August .. and when I got an all clear) and was about 2 stone up at this point.

August 2010 -- Went on holiday and gained six pounds. I had gained back approximately 1/2 of what I had lost in 2008. :cry:

Late Aug. 2010 -- Dec. 2010 -- YoYo'd on CD, off, On, Off, On, Off -- I kept losing 1/2 stone and gaining it back. I went to Spain in October and stop weighing myself.

Dec. 27, 2010 -- I had not weighed myself since Oct. 13th. BUT, I KNEW I was obese again, or very nearly. So, I started SSing and did not weigh myself until until January 2nd, 2011. I weighed 1 pound more than I had on October 13th.

Since, December 27, 2010 -- I SS'd for about 3 weeks, and am gradually adding back in exercise, drinking my water (which I know I should never have stopped doing), and have been using 4 CD type products daily, watching my calories and carbs. I am staying in ketosis and am also keeping it between 650 and 980 calories a day.

I have lost 9 pounds so far... not counting the first week's losses, as I did not weigh myself until January 2nd.

I have learned that it is coming off about 25% more slowly than it did the first time. I have also learned that it works best of me to stick to replacements as much as possible, as portion control is my weakness, along with sugar and carbs.

And, I knew before ever starting LL -- that unless I find a fitness (exercise) plan that is sustainable for me, I am very likely to regain the weight. I am not young, small boned, not tall, and do not need very many calories to sustain my body weight. Having done a VLCD, my metabolism is even more slowed, and it will take a long time to readjust.

I am working on my "Maintenance Plan" -- and hope very much to never again allow my weight to become so far out of control. And, it is ALL ABOUT CONTROL -- for the most part.

MinnieMel

Hi,

Several "newbies", "nearly theres", "future planners" and "been there couldn't stayers" have all been asking about:

What To Do To Keep It Off?

I scanned through some of the "Maintenance" diaries and, it seems as if those who are posting in theirs have reached goal, but are now trying to get back there. Some have a longer trip back to goal than others, but most are working on it ATM.

If you feel like it, please post on this thread what you have learned about maintaining (or not) your weight loss once you have reached goal.

MinnieMel

@Chels Loo --

I have been reading about this "Beck book" and may have a look at it. It sounds as if it could be helpful.

I just finished reading the India and Neris book -- and all honestly, it is very readable, but it is an Atkins to Southbeach diet. Nothing new here -- except the emphasis on no chemicals, organic, etc.

BTW I had already had my 3 l of water (a record for me) and not only have I "wee'd for Britain", I find that it has flushed the other system.

MM

MM, Jess was very disappointed when she got to the diet section of the Nerys & India book as it was basically saying that you could not have a potato EVER. Beck does not subscribe to any diet plan, just getting your head sorted out and is well worth purchasing.

 

[Chelsea Lou]

Lol, sorry, did not intend to quote the whole of this thread, just the end bit

 

[boardwitless]

Re maintaining: I ended up a stone heavier after an autumn holiday and Xmas BUT I viewed this as a fluctuation in my maintenance - rather than a climb back up the ladder (I hadn't been strict about weighing regularly). I find that it's now a case of just doing the maths as I came up the plans and know that I maintain on around 1800 calories a day. Therefore I can plan a huge blowout one day as long as I allow for that and cut down before or after the event to average out 1800 cals.
What keeps me on the straight and narrow is the reminders of how hard I worked to get it off in the first place, how much it cost me and how I love to fit in my clothes now. Also comments like you made about the weight coming off slower this time around - I realise that the first time was the golden shot and I don't want to have wasted it.

 

[MinnieMel]

Very impressed with your level headed approach to weight management, BoardWitless.

MM

 

[boardwitless]

Thanks Minnimel, I think it also helps that I'm a bit careful with money (some would say tight ) and I worked out that I spent over £1000 during my time using CD products. I don't want to think that I've been selfish and just blown a grand that could have gone towards a holiday or new car, something that could have benefitted the whole family rather than just on me, therefore I owe it to all of us to make an effort to maintain.

*Food mentioned*

Having said that, we've just had lasagne and then trifle tonight with guests, BUT my sugarfree jellies are made for tomorrow as I know I'll be back on the wagon to make up for it

 

[MinnieMel]

That's management! MM

 

[boardwitless]

Just as an addition to this, I've been thinking about how I maintain (fairly successfully for 12 months now - yes, no-one's more shocked than I am ) and I keep thinking about what my sister in law said very loudly, during a family dinner, when she found out I was doing CD and had been complimented on my 2 stone or so loss back then by someone I hadn't seen for a while:
"Oh, it doesn't work - when you start eating normally again it all goes straight back on"
I've since found out that she tried CD, didn't do the plans and launched back into the eating habits she had pre-CD.
The difference is, I haven't gone back to eating 'normally' as it was that in the first place that put me 4 stone overweight. My 'normal' was eating seconds of everything and taking every opportunity I could to buy myself sweets so, hard as it may seem, I've got myself out of those habits. As a result, I'm still in my size 12 jeans a year on. I hope that doesn't sound like bragging but as I said, I'm so shocked and just a little bit proud of myself for being here
It also helps that I'm the sort of person that thinks 'Right, I'll show you' when faced with comments like that rather then agreeing with them so it gives me a little bit of pleasure to give her the needle whenever I see her now

 

[LellyCD]

fab post hun, its making the changes that counts and you are doing, and long may you continue to keep the knowledge have now, don't be a little bit proud, be very proud of the changes you've made for the better!
Well done you !!
x

 

[Chelsea Lou]

Just as an addition to this, I've been thinking about how I maintain (fairly successfully for 12 months now - yes, no-one's more shocked than I am ) and I keep thinking about what my sister in law said very loudly, during a family dinner, when she found out I was doing CD and had been complimented on my 2 stone or so loss back then by someone I hadn't seen for a while:
"Oh, it doesn't work - when you start eating normally again it all goes straight back on"
I've since found out that she tried CD, didn't do the plans and launched back into the eating habits she had pre-CD.
The difference is, I haven't gone back to eating 'normally' as it was that in the first place that put me 4 stone overweight. My 'normal' was eating seconds of everything and taking every opportunity I could to buy myself sweets so, hard as it may seem, I've got myself out of those habits. As a result, I'm still in my size 12 jeans a year on. I hope that doesn't sound like bragging but as I said, I'm so shocked and just a little bit proud of myself for being here
It also helps that I'm the sort of person that thinks 'Right, I'll show you' when faced with comments like that rather then agreeing with them so it gives me a little bit of pleasure to give her the needle whenever I see her now

Honey, that's not bragging at all. That is giving yourself credit, which is very important (Beck) and you deserve the credit from not only yourself but from everyone else.

I hereby give Boardwitless a stonking great CREDIT

 

[Bess]

Me too BW, this is just the kind of thing we need to know.

 

[Bess]

Mel,

I have been interested in these RC portion pots you mention. Would you mind quantifying the amounts for me? In tablespooons or something that I can relate to?

Many thanks.

 

[SacredSilence]

Mel,

I have been interested in these RC portion pots you mention. Would you mind quantifying the amounts for me? In tablespooons or something that I can relate to?

Many thanks.

The Blue Pot is 80ml and is for Basmati Rice (uncooked), Couscous (uncooked), Porridge Oats, Cottage Cheese.

The Yellow pot is 125ml and is used for Pasta (uncooked), Baked Beans, Frozen Peas, Muesli & Wine

The Red pot is 250ml and is used for Basmati Rice (Cooked), Pasta (Cooked), Fruit & Fibre Cereal, Special K

The Green pot is 330ml and is used for Spaghetti (Uncooked) - This is a little hole in the handle that you poke the spaghetti through, Egg noodles (uncooked), Sugar Puffs

You can buy them without joining RC

 

[Bess]

Thankyou SS, very helpful.