A word about maintaining my weight loss...
It's been six months since I started maintenance and I'm happy to say that I haven't gained any weight back. That's not to say I haven't gained weight since I have. I've strayed from program a few times including over the holidays and a couple of weekends out of town. When the number on the scale was up, I went back on the weight loss program and lost the weight. And it's been easy! Very empowering.
I still count points, drink water, and exercise. My biggest splurge has been on pizza once in awhile and I've yet to have anything even close to a bacon cheeseburger with fries. I continue to make healthy food choices.
Lifetime maintenance is a great place to be! I can eat more points per day than the weight loss program. And if I take a break from counting points and over-do things, I know I can get back on program and take care of it.
A vacation trip to Colorado and another weight gain... Back on the weight loss program for me because I made the commitment to actively manage my weight forever.
MY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF BEING AT GOAL WEIGHT!!!
It took me ELEVEN weeks to take off four pounds gained the end of July. BUT I DIDN'T QUIT!! BECAUSE THERE IS NO QUITTING EVER!!!
I'm still online daily. I still track points. I still eat healthy. I still exercise daily. I still drink water.
VERY LITTLE HAS CHANGED FROM THE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM TO THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. NO AMOUNT OF FOOD IS WORTH GAINING THE WEIGHT BACK.
I celebrated my one year at goal weight anniversary by sharing my "before" picture at a WW meeting. I also bought myself a new WW water mug since mine was about 20 years old. Ah yes, we go back a long way... but now I finally "get it".
LIFE IS STILL GOOD ONE YEAR LATER...
Yes, it can be done!
I have maintained my weight loss for two years.
I don't think it's been easy, though. I've been on and off program many times. My weight has fluctuated up and down as much as eight pounds. I've struggled to get back on the weight loss program sometimes. But I haven't quit and I haven't gone back to the "old ways".
While I do weigh the same as two years ago, I definitely have more fat on me and less muscle so my clothes are a bit tighter. I won't be buying bigger sizes, though. I just need to rev up my exercise program.
I attribute much of my success to belonging to a daily online thread on Weight Watchers.com. I am on the WWWW thread on the Bravo message board. Come and join me!I
LIFE IS STILL GOOD TWO YEARS LATER...
I've been learning some new things. Like what it feels like to ignore hunger. Or what it feels like to skip breakfast or just have a bite. These are good things to learn and they come in handy!
I'm currently back on the weight loss program. My pattern has been to be on weight loss a couple of weeks and then stray for a week or so. I'm not really pleased about that straying and I keep working on reinforcing my commitment to this plan.
I see people all the time who are eating calorie-laden meals and I wonder how they "get by with that" because I certainly don't! I think that they are either gaining or they skip meals during the day. If I'm famous for any line I say, it would be, "I've had my weight off over two years and I've yet to eat a bacon-cheeseburger!"
I can't say that maintenance is difficult right now. It's just an ongong commitment and an ongoing learning experience. I've only just begun this lifetime journey!
I am exercising daily and really enjoying it because it makes me feel so much better. I suspended my YMCA membership the end of February and by June I was like a wet noodle! So I joined Curves and it brought my muscle back to the level I was at with Nautilus and free weights.
Right now I'm doing Curves before work MWF. Also I'm back at the YMCA doing Cardio machines on T-Th eves, and Nautilus at the Y on Saturday. Plus some big hill walking. It's a lot but really doesn't seem extreme to me. It's important so I make time for it and don't let excuses get in the way.
All this conditioning has paid off. I completed a long hike on the mountainous, rocky north shore of Lake Superior. The hike was described in the guidebook as one of the more strenuous in the area but I didn't even sit to rest until about two hours into it. I was able to see some beautiful vistas overlooking Lake Superior as well as stand on cliffs directly overlooking inland lakes. After nearly four hours of hiking, I went home and did two loads of laundry, hauling it up and down several flights of stairs. This is what it's all about!!
WW Life is Good!!!
Anyhow, I just got back from a two-week vacation and I didn't count points. I did try to minimize damage and eased myself back onto the weight loss program over four days. Now I need to go for a lower personal goal that I committed to myself and my Dr. to help with vericose veins. I'll be on the weight loss program for a long time...
Once again I say that the food I ate on vacation wasn't worth it. It just seems like I have to take a break now and then.. I just don't let it go on forever.
I still haven't had a bacon cheeseburger since starting maintenance. I have sat through dinner out where everyone else ate them in front of me while I had salad with grilled chicken. I felt great afterwards!
I continue to use all the tools I learned while losing weight. Key to maintenance for me is getting back on the weight loss program when needed. I just keep going and going...
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Sept 2008
The good news is that I did NOT gain over the holidays. Now it's time to start the weight loss program and get back down to my personal goal.
For 2009, I need to make a change. I will take a few weeks off from counting points but they will NOT be my vacation weeks when food temptations are everywhere! I need to stop gaining on vacations - it's just too hard to get off. So this is my new strategy. Wish me luck!
I joined a 10-week weight loss challenge and finally got five pounds off to be back at my personal goal.
Life is good!!
On the last night, I ordered the bacon cheeseburger with fries at Hard Rock Cafe on the San Antonio River Walk. My gosh, that thing was huge!!! What is with these restaurant portions nowadays??? I managed to eat half of it and it was good.
Will I do it again soon? I wouldn't count on it!!!