Hard question to answer
I was posting on my other forum site and one of the ladies there asked me a good question. Don’t know why she did but she did. She asked “Rachel, you have lost a great deal of weight on several occasions only to gain it back, what are you gooing to do different this time to make sure you don’t gain it back” This got me thinking really hard because it is a question that finds me when I am going to sleep or outside walking. To be honest, I have asked the question to myself a million times becaue that is my biggest fear. I have had friends tell me, I hope you can keep it off this time. My family, they are happy I am loisng weight but they do’t say too much and I know what they are thinking , she is only going to gain it back. So, back to the question that haunts me, how to keep at goal and not gain it back?
If you buddies have any advice, it would be appreciated! This is what I have come up with so far. I have to keep myself on a structure much like I am on now. When I don’t have a s tructure I am like “college girls gone wild” but with food. Everytime I have lost weight, I get to a certain point, my cursed 150 and then go off structure. That would be my number one focus, staying within the structure. I know i have to eat somewhat different once at goal because I can’t stay in the reduction phase forever so I have to do some things different but not too different. I know this lifestyle cannot be temporary but must be permanent. Right now, I stay with a and b foods (low calorie) I figure once I go to goal, I still stay with the plan but not just eat a and b food but also include the other foods but incorporate them slowly to see how my body reacts to it. It must be done gradually till I get use to living that way. If I still find myself losing, then up the portions but if I find I gain, go back to a and b foods. If I get on the scale and see a gain, immediate get back on the reduction phase and not let the pounds multiply as they do. I am still torn about whether to occasionally have junk food when planned or to phase that out totally from my world.
So, that is my thought, any advice, suggestions??
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I didn’t check what diet you’re on, but I think you are on the right track. It’s important to always watch what you eat, even when youre at goal weight. Maybe if you keep a food journal, you can continue using it for maintaining. I would keep weighing yourself at least once a week so if weight does start coming back, you’ll notice before its too much to handle. I personally dont think you should ever totally cut out junk food from your world. I know i get cravings for it, and i have learned that i can have it in moderation. if i go overboard, i do good the next day by drinking lots of water and eating light. i couldn’t live without it with the way our society is. that would be too hard.
sounds like you have the right mindset for sure!!! good luck with it and i’m sure you can prove those skeptical family and friends wrong! then they’ll ask you how you keep it off, not IF you will:)
You and I might be foodaholics. Ever hear of a dry drunk. That is what I am with food. I will ALWAYS have to be vigilant. I will have to monitor and record and never let myself have several bad days. One bad day, and by this I mean unhealthy foods, and I will have to be very aware the next. Only good healthy foods and proper calories the next few days. I lost 35 pounds over a few years and dang, put it back. Food of choice……. peanut M&Ms. The plus side is I KNOW I can lose it again and this time I recognize that I am a, dut dut da,…… foodaholic. : )
When I made goal I did stay on track for awhile but that’s because I was still doing cardio. I just wasn’t running like when I was losing weight and went to walking instead. I just noticed every so often I skipped my walking workout more and more until is was non existent. But I didn’t give up on everything. My food was still good from Monday through Friday and then the weekend came and I would blow it. So with that and no working out, it was a disastor waiting to happen. I think when I reach goal next time I have to have that workout structure at least 5 days a week. The other thing is I have to be happy with the fact that I made goal and that’s it. Last time I met goal I felt like the thrill was gone. There was nothing else to achieve. It’s really hard working at something for months and months and then the thrill of the weekly weigh in was gone. So I guess I need to just get real this 2nd time around that the weight has to stay off and I have to keep up with exercise. I can eat almost anything I want if I just exercise before or after. I guess that kinda has to do with one of your latest blogs about maturity. I have to put on my big girl panties and deal.
Hi - at my lowest , I stopped and I believe 5 months later I had put on 10 pounds - during this time I kept up 3 workouts a wk but ate like senslessly ~ its quite silly really! I did not watch what i ATE, i ate pizza, choc, vegetables - what ever I fancied. I felt a bit tight in my clothes, a bit uncomfy in my skin, but stamina was still good ( from the workouts, i guess) ! Now - now i’ve been trying to eat properly. Instead of trying - this wk I am eating properly - am analysing myself using fitday.com for a food journal. My tip for you is - relax - but keep a mindful eye on what you eat for the rest of your life - its a life change - much like you would keep an eye on your finances, rein yourself in every 3 wks. Yes incorporate junk - but minute junk, otherwise all our hard work becomes undone. U can cut back the workouts from 4 to 2 a wk - but they must stay to keep the stamina, underlying muscle tone. Hope this helps.X