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Post by JeddoMom on Jan 12, 2005 7:55:04 GMT -5
I'd really like to hear from those who have lost their weight and kept it off.
Can you share tips for those of us who have recently met goal so we can keep our weight off too? I don't want to gain my weight back!!! Thanks!! Monica
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Post by jmmoon on Jan 12, 2005 8:32:29 GMT -5
Hi! Of course you know that I'm not more experienced than you at this, but I want to offer one of my maintenance tips.
Each week on Maintenance I make an effort to revisit my program for its CORENESS. That is, am I meeting my minimums per the 8 good health guidelines? Am I stopping when satisfied? hmmmm...
This week my extra effort has been on trying to eat enough dairy every day. I got out of the habit in NYC during the holidays and didn't even notice. Because I like soy milk and soy cheese, and don't like FF milk or FF cheese as much, it's easy for me to only get in one dairy per day in my yogurt.
Just because I'm maintaining doesn't mean that I shouldn't be looking at my Week 1 getting started book.
Every day is a brand new day to work a healthy program on Core!!
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Post by kathleen320 on Jan 12, 2005 9:05:12 GMT -5
#1 tip for me is to continue with meetings and weekly weigh-ins, even if the meetings topics are not all that relevant.
When I initially made lifetime in 2000, I stopped doing that; I was a little embarrassed to ask for a "courtesy weigh-in." Oh yeah, and it was time in my life that I was losing weight due to being under tremendous stress as a result of dealing with sick parents, one of whom passed away. I was probably about 6 pounds under where I wanted to be and got the "food is not your enemy" talk. Anyhow, I stopped going to meetings and eventually put some of the weight back on.
This summer, I went back to weekly meetings and got back to goal weight. My leader likes having lifers around and sometimes calls on us as experts.
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Post by smilyus on Jan 12, 2005 9:47:09 GMT -5
I haven't been in maintenance for a very long time. I made "official" goal in May of 2004, but I didn't start actively maintaining until around the time Core was introduced (Labor Day/end of summer).
I do agree with reviewing the 8 healthy guidelines from time to time. I also journal my menus (even on Core) on a software program provided free by my medical insurance. It analyzes my daily menus (i.e. how many calories, how many grains, how many proteins) and gives me an idea if I'm eating a balanced diet or if I need to make a few tweeks. It has higher standards than WW (i.e. requires 3-4 dairies, 5+ veggies, 4+ fruits), but I like the challenge of meeting those requirements.
I also continue to WI weekly. I'm online-only so meetings were never a part of the equation. I may eventually only WI every other week. But, I figure I should do weekly for my first year.
Other than that, its really about finding a way to eat a few more calories and continue to do what you were doing to lose. The book "Thin for Life" by Anne Fletcher summed it up best - the only difference between losing and maintenance is an "extra sandwich" (so in WW lingo - a few more points).
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Post by georgiagirl on Jan 12, 2005 13:40:14 GMT -5
what helps me the most....i work for WW, so I am in a meeting 6 days a week:) So it is alwasy around me. Plus we have to weigh in once a month and not be 2 lbs over our goal, it has kept me at goal for 2 and half years! if you are interested just let your leader know, even if it is a sub! j
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Post by mylikeit on Jan 12, 2005 13:52:17 GMT -5
Yep, I'm newly a receptionist (hoping to become a leader) and that does help with the motivation. In fact, I think having other long term goals is important. Right now, I'm aspiring to join the National Weight Control Registry. You have to have maintained at goal for 1 year before you can join, so that's my incentive. I'm also working on new fitness goals, which keeps my tushie in gear (critical for me to keep motivated with the food).
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Post by Lesley1 on Jan 12, 2005 14:28:26 GMT -5
I've been on maintenance since August 2000, except for a six month period where I had to go back into weight loss mode. I gained because during a period of work related stress followed by a vacation, I ate too much of the wrong foods. So the only tip I have is that you have to realize that nothing magical happens when you reach goal. You should stay with the program--weigh in once a week, get your support from a meeting or online, keep track of your eating the same way you did when you were losing, and keep up your activity levels.
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Post by Lesley1 on Jan 12, 2005 14:47:13 GMT -5
Another tip: Do not keep your fat clothes. I repeat, do not keep your fat clothes. First, you have worked hard for a new body and you should be showing it off. Second, if you have a wardrobe for that other person, you lose one reason to prevent her from reappearing.
Everything must now fit properly. That means close to your body. Nothing baggy. Nothing too loose. Nothing too long. No elastic waistbands except when you are working out. Watch "What Not To Wear" on TLC or the English version on BBC-America. You may not like the clothes but they do explain about fit and shapes that flatter different body types.
If money is a problem, have things taken in. Shop in thrift and consignment shops. Remember that all those clothes at the outlet mall or on the sale racks that were too small will fit you now. And underwear counts. Most of us can afford some of that, and it makes a huge difference mentally.
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Post by JeddoMom on Jan 12, 2005 14:54:38 GMT -5
Cool!!! Awesome tips so far!!! Lesley, I hear you about getting rid of fat clothes. I do have a couple of all-time favorite sweatshirts I kept, but I make sure I wear them with well-fitting (tight!) jeans and they are mostly for bumming around the house. I just couldn't get rid of them!!!! Monica
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Post by LessOfMe2C on Jan 12, 2005 16:58:24 GMT -5
Hello ladies! I've been maintaining since October '03, its actually gone quite smoothly.....I have on occasion gone up a few (vacation, Christmas, etc) but really do keep things in check so it doesnt go any higher! My goal weight is 150, although I would really like to be at 144 or so, but my body loves to hover at 153 if I am not careful!! Even still, that is worlds better than the 285 I used to be!! LOL!!! One thing I do that I know WW kind of frowns upon is that I weigh daily. I really need to see that I am staying on track, and I can see if things need to be tended to right away! I also dont like surprises, so while I still keep Fridays as my official WI (I do at home only) I dont want to be caught off guard with a higher than expected number! With core, I enjoy not having to weigh and measure, especially on maintenance, as I really feel this is do-able this way forever! I still struggle every day though, I guess I always will if I want to keep the weight off. Since I never was a naturally thin person, I imagine this is something I will have to pay attention to every single day for the rest of my life, however, the longer I maintain, the more confident I am that I can stay at this weight and NEVER go back!
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Post by Tina on Jan 12, 2005 19:14:28 GMT -5
Hi Folks! I've been lifetime since May '99 and have never been above my goal weight. In addition to re-reading my Getting Started books, I continue to be mindful of portion sizes. I'm just getting used to Core, so I fall back into weighing and measuring frequently I will probably always measure my portions of "dangerous" foods (e.g., pasta, cereal, peanut butter). Part of my weight loss journey included adopting (mostly) healthier eating habits. This has become a way of life for me. Like many Core followers, I ate primarily core-type foods before WW launched Core. Contemplating long-term health consequences of my diet somehow makes cheeseburgers and chips seem unappetizing.
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Post by Peaches on Jan 12, 2005 20:25:09 GMT -5
I just recently reached goal and would like to say this thread is awsome. I already feel like I can become a member of the "keep it off club" ;D with the great tips you all have shared. Here's a great big THANK YOU for sharing your words of wisdom. PJ
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Post by cory10 on Jan 13, 2005 2:50:26 GMT -5
I just have to say go and attend weekly meetings that helps alot I reach lifetime in 2002 and then stop going to WW meetings last year and gained 12lbs I started back in jan 05 and once I reach my goal will work for WW if I can, I should have done that in 2002
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Post by shirllg on Jan 13, 2005 13:01:43 GMT -5
I also work for Weight Watchers...I've been a leader for over 26 years. My lifetime members who maintain goal the most successfully come to meetings every week. The real secret is do what worked for you to take the weight off... (sure you can eat a little bit more, but the basic concepts remain the same: folowing the good health guidlelines, dealing with emotions in nonfood ways, finding different ways to celebrate, watching your comfort zone, attend meetings and paticipate) I can come up with a new "goal" to work on every week...be it changing my exercise, or fixing a habit that has crept back it... My biggest thrill STILL is that I get to eat like a human being...real food, real meals. I also love CORE!!! It makes this even easier. Shirley
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Post by jmmoon on Jan 13, 2005 13:32:46 GMT -5
Shirley, I love the idea of coming up with a new goal to work on each week! I still journal on Core, so when I start a new journal each week, I put WEEK # on the front, and then write down whatever it is that I intend to focus on improving that week. This week, for example, was increasing my dairy intake which I'd noticed had slacked off. Last week it was upping my cardio workouts.
Self improvement doesn't need to happen all at once.
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