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Post by JeddoMom on Mar 21, 2006 20:34:21 GMT -5
Well, I did awesome maintaining for over a year after I made goal. Sure, I had the common pound or two vacation gain a few times a year, but the weight came off easily and as soon as I got back to my usual Core foods and exercise. On those vacations, I was careful with what I ate, tried to exercise as much as possible, and was always satisfied with the result. I splurged, but not for the whole vacation. This last vacation at Christmas was a different story for me. See, when we go on vacation it is to see my family in California and we are gone for at least 2 weeks. I still don't know why I threw Core to the wind like I did, but it was like I was testing myself to see how much I could eat and not gain much. My mom didn't have a scale (they had just moved and she threw her old one out and hadn't gotten a new one yet) and I wasn't able to weigh myself at all. Anyways, I gained like 7 lbs. and they did not come off easily!!!!!!! THAT is not maintaining, in my book. The best thing to come out of all this is that I now know what I can and can't do on vacation with this maintaining thing.....Next time it will be different. Sorry this is so long!!!  Monica |
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Post by xoxohart on Mar 21, 2006 20:35:35 GMT -5
I give myself plus or minus two pounds in maintenance, just like WW advises, but I am a good five pounds below my WW goal, and am verrrrrrry slowly inching downwards (but after this week, I will surely be back up!).
I agree with all of you who said that a five pound gain during vacation wouldn't necessarily mean that you are no longer maintaining. The key is, what do you do about it? Stepping on the scale when you least want to is an important key in maintenance, and the first step towards losing those five pounds.
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Post by katelight on Mar 21, 2006 21:17:26 GMT -5
I have about a 4lb rule. I know that I'm going to fluctuate about 2 lbs up or down, but if I hit that 4lb mark then I really know that I'd better get back on the stick and take off those lbs. I technically have about 12lbs to "play" with according to my official weight at WW, but my personal goal is the one I count and I only allow 4lbs over that before I go back into weight-loss mode.
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Post by Dmsangel on Mar 22, 2006 13:25:46 GMT -5
For me, HippoMommy hit it on the head. I have a # that I won't let myself get above. Obviously I don't want to get near the # - but that's what my boundary is. And I think it's awfully hard to stay one weight every single week. So the pound up or down doesn't mean much to me. And like she said - I know the difference between "fluctuation" and "gain"
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Post by xenagoddess on Mar 22, 2006 14:28:34 GMT -5
I think that is a great way to look at it. Just have a do not pass weight and make that the law. My weight that I will never go above again will be 165lbs.
I realized last night that I was stressing about having an entire lifetime to fail at maintaining my weight. It was just too big and full of unknowns. So I am just going to take it one month at a time. My goal is to maintain my weight through April 20th. (Maintaining will be staying at or below my goal weight - 162) Then I can make a new goal from there. I am just going to stick to my plan. The more I overthink it the more complicated it gets! No mind games. Keep it simple.
All the responses to this query have been just excellent by the way!
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Post by girliepurple on Mar 23, 2006 13:38:53 GMT -5
All your posts have really made me think! I also agree, there is going to be a # that I will never go over again... and I think I will try to lose a little more on maintenance, as a buffer for any vacations, day trips or parties that will come up! I am going to try the 2 lbs. up gain only, so that I don't have to pay for meetings ever again. Also I will continue to go to meetings weekly unless I am out of town, even though I will only WI once a month. Once I get there, that is!!........  |
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Post by Dmsangel on Mar 23, 2006 14:28:01 GMT -5
xenagoddess - I have the same problem. I'll just start thinking that I'm going to have to "watch my weight" for the rest of my life! It does get overwhelming but then, like you, I realize I can't think that way and just have to take it day by day, situation by situation!
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Post by HippoMommy on Mar 23, 2006 20:56:12 GMT -5
When I begin to feel overwhelmed or resentful about having to be a WWer for life, I remember how I felt when I was not following the program -- I was heavy and getting heavier, I thought about my weight ALL THE TIME (seemed like every minute of every day, though I may be mistaken, since somewhere in there was childcare, sleep, and willingness to overeat), and I was miserable and felt helpless. So if I have to "think about it" each day, I'd so much rather do so at goal (or near it), with good eating/fitness habits, and in a sane/calm way.
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Post by katelight on Mar 23, 2006 21:48:06 GMT -5
great point Hippomommy. I try to think in terms of what I get to eat instead of what I can't or shouldn't. I've come to realize there is no normal. I have to make my own normal, and for me being careful of what fuel I put into my body and being mindful of the number on the scale is normal. I've decided I like my normal.
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Post by HippoMommy on Mar 23, 2006 23:57:53 GMT -5
What a good way of looking at it! So much of this is mental -- attitudes and self-talk are under our control, and often they're the "engine" driving our behaviors. |
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Post by xenagoddess on Mar 24, 2006 8:59:03 GMT -5
Kate: I have been trying to look at it that way as well. What do I get to eat today that is healthy and taste wonderful! In fact, there isn't anything that I can't eat....I just have to account for it and not eat more than one serving at a time. Oprah had a whole thing on French Women and eating the other day and it really hit home for me. Enjoy every bite...don't rush...if you taste it the first time you won't have to eat more servings to get to enjoy it. I tried it with a piece of chocolate yesterday! Yummmmm...... Hippo: I have given up the idea that I will someday get to stop paying attention to food and exercise. I agree with you. I might as well be paying attention and be happy than be paying attention and be unhappy. Peace, Cynthia |
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Post by Dmsangel on Mar 24, 2006 12:03:41 GMT -5
You know what I just thought of - I'd so much rather think about my weight than say a heart condition, diabetes, blood pressure or chloesterol.
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Post by katelight on Mar 24, 2006 20:03:16 GMT -5
Amen Dmsangel, amen
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Post by HippoMommy on Mar 24, 2006 22:02:31 GMT -5
Wow, that's it in a nutshell, DMS!
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Post by xenagoddess on Mar 25, 2006 12:39:42 GMT -5
TICKER TRAUMA! Help!
I don't like my ticker anymore since it looks like a big advertisement. How can I make a ticker that would reflect my numbers if I am below goal weight. I remember someone mentioning (a long time ago) that you had to put in negative numbers. I found some info in one of the thread but they couldn't solve the problem either.
What a happy problem this is! ;D
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Monica
