Long term weight loss

Is there anyone who has been able to maintain their weight loss for an extended period of time? How long? How did you do it?

Hi! I'm 5'5 and was 218 lbs at 15, and by the time I was 18 I managed to go down to 140lbs...I'm 23 now, and I don't know exactly how I maintained it, but my weight does go up and down (usually by around 10 pounds) depending on what time of the year it is...hehe...at my slimmest I'm 128lbs, at my heaviest 140lbs (which is still a healthy weight for my height, so its not that big a deal)...but usually I weigh around 130-135....the trick is to lose to weight slowly...it took me three years...this way your body will have plenty of time to adjust better to eating less, and this will prevent weight re-gain. Gradualy reduce your food intake, and start out with atleast 10mins of exercise per day...then move on to 20mins, and so on. One more important tip...invest in an exercise machine! Treadmills are the best (avoid exercise bikes they're not as effective in burning off the fats and cals)!

To be honest, I stopped exercising after I lost weight and yeah, I still do snack and at times I eat like a horse (but definately not as much as i used to eat as a teen)...hehe...but I jump back on the trusty treadmill as soon as see the pounds go up.

Anyways, do tell more about yourself as well?

I lost about 70 pounds four years ago.  I had gastric bypass, but that had nothing to do with maintaining my weight.  What was important for me was to continue to get on the scale.  If my weight went up by more than three pounds, I would tighten up what I was eating.  Mostly by keeping a food log.  When I went six months without a scale I gained twelve pounds (have lost them plus w/CC).  So for me to be successful, I have to be accountable to myself.  My family (husband and five kids) all liked me better heavy, so they are no help at all.  I know other people who have a partner they report to, or some kind of support group.  I think the only way you can maintain long term is find something you are comfortable with, and give yourself a small range to fluctuate.  That way you don't have guilt for the occasional bloat, but still stay on track.  I am really surprised more people haven't responded to this thread!  I'd love to know how other people have done it.

I can't wait to go to maintenance yet it scares me.  It will be a whole new experience, not trying to lose, just trying to stay the same.

I've been my weight for months. I don't really know how I do it though. I just eat what I think I need to eat, and exercise when I think I need to. I walk everyday for at least an hour if that means anything to you.

I've been maintaining , after losing 40+ pounds, for 17 months by doing the following:

1. weigh myself daily . My weight has flucuated within a 6 pound range.

2. walk 6 days/week and use dumbells 3/week

3. avoid fast food sandwiches, fried foods, the cookie jar, excess amount of diet soda's and salt.

4. eat enough lean protein and healthy fats (hummus, olive oil, omega 3) to keep me satiated.

The above are mechanical activities, yet having a realistic and positive attitude is more important. My attitude is acknowledging my way of eating and exercising is for a lifetime not just 12 weeks; that fear of deprivation and hunger often leads to binges; and that my weight will flucuate.

There is no one perfect plan for everyone. You need to find your own way of maintaining.

I originally lost weight some 30 years ago. I was 164, jogged my way to 150, then joined  WW and got down to 133.  Since then I have been up and down some, mostly around 140 but two times got up to the 148 to 150 range. Last time was when I turned 50, 23 months ago. I dieted down to 133... my original goal, but little by little found my way to 128. I have been maintaining for about 18 months, this is also the lowest weight of my adult life.... also the easiest  it has been to maintain.

I've been at this long enough to know that I am not just going to intuitively maintain weight, and with age it gets harder and harder to lose... this is the last time. So decided I need to hang on to a little structure. For the rest of my life I will count calories (I do a quickie method, takes 2 minutes a day), keep a food diary every day and step on the scale every day. When I stop doing these things I regain weight.

It is easier now for a couple reasons. I found exercise I like... a weight-liifting class... so I am committted to that, would not do this on my own. Also a year ago I decided to work on my cholesterol (my diet was always good, just wanted to bump it up a notch). So I eliminated nearly all sources of bad fat and way upped my fiber. In particular the fiber really helps... I start every day with oatmeal.  Because I am middle-aged, nutrition is all the more important... I have little room for low-quality food.  Because I focus on nutrition, a lot of food just isn't on my menu anymore.  I do enjoy food, but when nutrition focused, in a good way it becomes a little boring... utilitarian.  That actually helps... food becomes less of the focus of life. I have small bites of sweets here and there, but in general try to stay away from the sorts of junk foods that typically give me a problem.

I originally lost weight some 30 years ago. I was 164, jogged my way to 150, then joined  WW and got down to 133.  Since then I have been up and down some, mostly around 140 but two times got up to the 148 to 150 range. Last time was when I turned 50, 23 months ago. I dieted down to 133... my original goal, but little by little found my way to 128. I have been maintaining for about 18 months, this is also the lowest weight of my adult life.... also the easiest  it has been to maintain.

I've been at this long enough to know that I am not just going to intuitively maintain weight, and with age it gets harder and harder to lose... this is the last time. So decided I need to hang on to a little structure. For the rest of my life I will count calories (I do a quickie method, takes 2 minutes a day), keep a food diary every day and step on the scale every day. When I stop doing these things I regain weight.

It is easier now for a couple reasons. I found exercise I like... a weight-liifting class... so I am committted to that, would not do this on my own. Also a year ago I decided to work on my cholesterol (my diet was always good, just wanted to bump it up a notch). So I eliminated nearly all sources of bad fat and way upped my fiber. In particular the fiber really helps... I start every day with oatmeal.  Because I am middle-aged, nutrition is all the more important... I have little room for low-quality food.  Because I focus on nutrition, a lot of food just isn't on my menu anymore.  I do enjoy food, but when nutrition focused, in a good way it becomes a little boring... utilitarian.  That actually helps... food becomes less of the focus of life. I have small bites of sweets here and there, but in general try to stay away from the sorts of junk foods that typically give me a problem.