The Maintenance Club

There aren't many people who're active on the maintenance forum, but i'm convinced that maintenance is the affirmation that the project of weight loss/gain that we have gone through is not just a phase, but a commitment to a lifestyle.

some dietary habits of people who have lost weight and stayed slim:

1. Drink water before/during meals
2. Don't skip meals
3. Keep a food diary
   
4. Eat lots of vegetables and whole grain food
5. Exercise moderately and regularly
6. Weigh themselves consistently
   

we might not practice all of them... but we do at least have some things that keep us on the ball/on track! I'm hoping that this thread will help to keep those of us on this forum accountable and motivated. We could post our profile, and edit our post every week on friday to update one another as to how we've been doing, and to get motivated if we've been slipping off the wagon!

I'll start the ball rolling!

Name: doedoebird

Age: 21

Height: 5'6"

Starting Weight: 130lbs

Current Weight: 112lbs

Maintenance Range: 112~115lbs

*Now vs. Then: I'm definitely less sluggish, less easily fatigued, fitter (i can jog 6 miles at a shot!). Oh! and I've got better skin (and hair) too. :3
*i thought that this will help us remain motivated to stay on track subsequently whenever we feel tempted to slide off!

Aims: Regular and moderate exercise (3-5x a week of 30~60min moderate exercise), relatively clean and balanced (vegetarian) eating. Listening to my body (get better at eating when hungry and stopping when full).

Weaknesses: Boredom/emotional eating, a propensity to laziness and procrastination, a bottomless pit when it comes to certain foods (chocolates, cookies , ice cream and pastries....)

Strengths: I try to be self-aware. I am (or at least i try to be) kind to my body (in terms of both diet and exercise). I actually do like exercise (its after-effects especially). I'm a fidgety person. :3

**How I did this week, goals for next week: Last week was great, but a sleepover during which i didn't get any sleep has been leaving me dead tired for the past couple of days, exacerbated by the fact that i'm having my ToTM now (been feeling extremely weak and achy), and i'm also pretty stressed because i'll be going away from home for exchange in about a week. This week I'm just hoping to be able to hold on, stay calm, eat more (i've been having a terrible appetite) and do very light and relaxing exercises!

**I'm thinking that we should check in and update once a week, and the next week, we'll check in and when we do, clear away what we wrote down for the previous week. For me, this is symbolic. It's a pledge to move on, and refuse to be bogged down (or caught up) by what we did wrong in the past.

anyone with me?

I need all the help I can get with maintenance. I am 5"10" and started out at 165. I went down toe 148.  I would like to get to 145 but would be happy maintaining between 148 and 150. But in June I went up to 152 and can't seem to drop the extra few pounds. This month I am trying to work with weights in the gym at least 2x a week. I've been going to the gym 6x a week since I started to lose weight about a year ago but I do lots of pilates, yoga, stretch and cardio.  Working with weights seems to be important for health and maintaining weight from what I read. So my goal is getting back to 148, staying there and lowering body fat percentage with weight work.

hi phox50! (: i was starting to think that this thread was doomed to oblivion. sounds like you've got quite a plan there, and yes, incorporating weights in your exercise regime would make it pretty complete, since you're currently doing a lot of cardio/flexibility training, and not much strength (muscle building) training. (: as long as you stay on track, you'll probably be great! :D

Hello!  I am really excited about this thread.  I also need support in maintaining.  I am 28 (almost 29), mother of 2.  I am 5'8" and started my journey at 215lbs.  I am now maintaining at 125lbs.  I am a very active person, just by chasing after my 3 and 5 yr olds and I also like to run (I usually run about 20 miles a week). 

I am currently working on adding more strength training to my regime, and I really should be doing it right now (instead of drinking coffee and playing on this site):)

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

hi kellygoff. Congratulations on your huge loss. I had so much trouble losing just 15 lbs--I'm in awe. I hope support helps me lose the 5 lbs I put on "maintaining" and keep it off.

Strength training is hard for me. I love the cardio, pilates and yoga classes. and taking long walks. Weights thrill me less. But everyone says they are important so I started a program and am in week 3.

BTW, I'm 58, 5'10" and 152 lbs. I was maintaining at 148 till I had a bad month :(

Maybe we can help eachother.

 

Sounds good to me, phox!  I totally agree that weight training is a bit boring, I am always trying to find a way to make it more appealing, like changing up music or researching new exercises...maybe I should make a gold star sticker chart, like when I potty trained my kids...I get a gold sticker when I drag my booty down stairs to weight lift:)

What program are you doing?

I joined a gym almost 3 years ago and one perk they offer is a monthly meeting with a trainer in the weight room. In the 3 years I spoke to a trainer 3 times. Now I've resolved to take advantage of the service. A trainer gave me a program of 11 exercises that hit all major muscle groups. The big difference is that I'm  doing less reps (12) and increasing weight until it is very hard, not swinging through 15 reps easily then prancing off to a cardio class. Last night I dragged out of the weight room and did a pilates class. Actually finished it and felt good. Very proud.

Awesome job, phox!  You are starting your week off great.  I too increased my weights and lowered my reps and I always feel whipped at the end of my work out.  My husband is into weight lifting, so he set up a program for me, sounds pretty similar to yours.

I did manage to drag myself out of bed this morning and lifted for an hour and then ran a quick mile around the block.  I am pooped, but I feel happy I finished as well.  Go us!!! 

Hey ladies! Can I join?

I am 22, 5'7 and started this journey at 132, in which I became obsessive about calories and down spiraled to 94 pounds in a years time. I am now at maintanence (nutritionist advised) at 115-120. I feel so great with myself and my new healthy life!! I exercise daily, either a walk in the neighborhood, or a trip to the YMCA! I am so happy to finally be at maintanence and I hope that I can stay here!!

Gosh I love my energy!!

Doe Doe thanks for starting this thread!

Hey Linny!  How has maintanance been going?  I have been maintaining for a few weeks and I'm with you, energy is awesome! 

Welcome!

yes! the energy is fantastic. xD i've been exercising 5 days a week, and on rest days i find myself raring to go so much (though i try not to, so as to prevent injury/straining) that i end up volunteering myself for all the household chores. (this makes my mum veryyyy happy. lol.)

I'm with you.  The 6 dietary habits you list are right on.  I've followed all of them for 6 months and have maintainted  my goal weight of 101-102 (I'm only 5'2").  I eat mostly vegetables and grains and fruit, and I work out, do yoga, walk 2 miles and garden regularly.

Then with company for July 4th, I stopped keeping my calorie and weight log, and I am up to 103 this morning (that's naked on the scale, first thing in the morning).  So it's back to the daily food and weight logs for me.

I was never what you would call obese, usually around 130, but always felt uncomfortable and couldn't fit in stylish clothes.  Now I am so happy to be thin and energetic and to be able to get my daughters' hand-me-downs!

Congratulations to you on your great weight loss!

I too need to add weights to my regime, since I am 64 and need to maintain bone strength.  Vigorous gardening is good, but I know I need a stricter regimen.  I have trouble with boredom; when I walk I have to have music, and I change it frequently.

Now away from the coffee and computer!

Hi everyone!  I have managed to lift some weights 2 days in a row!  So proud.  Tomorrow is a break from lifting and a cardio day, then back to it on Thursday.  I love this thread, it makes me be accountable.

Hope you all are having a good one!

i'm 26, 5'7". i was maintaining for a bit at 125, though i would've been happy if i magically went down to 120. i got too complacent or i suck at maintaining, and now i'm at 130-132. i want to lose these 5-7 lbs, but more importantly i want to get intot e groove of maintaining and not repeat the lose-gain cycle.

Hey everyone!

Kellygoff: yea I have been maintaining for the past 2 and a half weeks (fluctuating up and down 3 pounds), but this is normal in maintanence right? (water weight, etc.) Good to hear that you are doing well...you go girl with the weights!!

Hbbroadbent: we are the same height, although you are a few years older, I think that the current weight you are at is a great maintanence level...welcome!!

Shansen10: I wish I could garden. I don't have one, but it has always been a dream of mine. I know that it does take quiet a bit of energy though. I know what you mean about boredom and needing music to walk, do you have an ipod? I know they are the new design to creating the perfect walk routine!! Good luck on maintainence!

Doedoebird: I also work out about 5 days a week too...my legs have been killing lately though, so I have opted to walk with my mom around the neighborhood after we make dinner together. It is so cool how bonding experiences over food and exercise contribute to your overall well being.

Well today I went for an amazing jog/walk and did the stationary. I also managed to do a few yoga poses.....keeps my mantra good!

Still maintaining as of today....out of curiousity though, how many calories are you guys eating versus burning, and how many times do you weigh in?

I eat about 2500 ( I burn 2500) on days I run 5 miles and on days I lift, I eat 2100 (I burn 2100) and on days I rest I eat 1800 (I may not be exercising, but my 2 little ones keep me busy, my burn meter says I only burn 1600 when I am sedentary).  I also fluctuate up and down about 3lbs. so I guess we are on the right track!  I am excited about how far we have come.

many calories are you guys eating versus burning, and how many times do you weigh in?

I need to stay at 1800 to maintain, 1400 to lose. The meter says I burn over 2000. Either something is wrong with the numbers I punch in or my body doesn't work the way the charts say. Every body is different, age, and build playing a part. When I started maintaining I figured I could eat 2000 easy, but after regaining and going back to logging I discovered that wasn't true. I weigh in every morning and log my weight into CC. There is controversy over this but I can't help it.

Shansen10: what kind of weight program are you doing? I also push myself to do the weights to keep up bone strength.

So, off the computer and off to the gym! Another day of keeping it off!

 

Name: soy_vey

Age: 22

Height: 5'6"

Starting Weight: HW: 184

Current Weight: Hovering around 120, up from 114.5


Maintenance Range: Trying to figure that out. I think here is about right.


*Now vs. Then: It's pretty incredible the difference that I've made on this journey of mine. It used to be that I wouldn't walk down the block to get something at the corner store. I have a really bad emotional relationship with food, and with binging and I am still battling this. At my worst I would go to the store, buy 4 or 5 large large cream filled and bear claw donuts and some chocolate milk, and lay in bed and eat them all. Now I am a vegan, I love being active, and I do weightlifting, running, and don't even have a car.


Aims: 
Well, my doctor wanted me to gain some weight. I had some problems where i lost my period for about 6 months cause I got too thin. Now my weight is up and I am trying to keep it right where it is at.
Weaknesses: binge eating. I have developed a habit over the last several weeks where my body wakes me up around 2:30 a.m- right about now- and I go into the kitchen and mindlessly shovel food into my face until I consume about 500 calories over my  maintainence cals and my stomach really hurts. I just did this about 5 minutes ago and Im really, really upset with myself. That's why I'm on here right now writing. Even worse is that i locked my door, and put a chair in front of it so that when I woke up at 2:30 I would have to move them to get to the kitchen and would remember not to do it. However I still did it.


Strengths: I am a good person!


**How I did this week, goals for next week: 


I am doing really badly right now and am really upset about it. I don't know how to stop doing this 2 a.m eating thing. At first I thought it was because I wasn't eating enough calories during the day, but I realize that isn't the case. I'm not sure what I should be eating for maintainence, either. My goal for this week and next and forever on at this point is to stop eating before I go to bed and waking up and eating. I do when I'm not even hungry at all. I do it an while Im doing it i recognize that I shouldn't be doing it, but still do it anyway. I've also been put on BC recently and I think that this might have something to do with it, however I simply don't know how to stop.


GRRRRR

HI everyone,

DoeDoebird: You hit the nail on the head with your statement "It is so cool how bonding experiences over food and exercise contribute to your overall well being. "  If only more people could experience that!

Linny:  Yes, I do have an Ipod, a simple one with a big clumsy headset and wire.  I feel conspicuous using it and really want to get the kind that sits in your ear, no cord.  But it's the exercise that matters, right?

Gardening is really great; I hope you can get into it someday.  You have triple benefit:  the exercise, the joy of watching things grow, and the joy of eating them! 

It's amazing how, since losing weight, I love food more and look up recipes all the time.  I've just finished reading a fun book called "The Art of Eating" by J.F.K. Fisher.  She talks about meals lasting for hours, wonderful tastes and pleasant, stimulating conversations with interesting people.  I'm not into meals lasting hours, but definitely prefer a 1/2 hour meal with hubby or more with friends.  And when alone I can, as Fisher does, eat slowly, savoring every bite.

Yesterday I started back on my weight and food logs on this website, and this morning I'm back down to 102.  So maintenance is holding, good luck with yours!

So today I was up a pound again, but I am going to blame it on my late night snack still lingering in my tummy at the moment!

The one thing that I have found is that on days when I work out heavily and do tons of leg exercises I find that I feel heavier and then the next day I am up a pound or something. But the thing that I have learned through this maintanence process is that muscles hold fluids, so this is likely nothing to get uptight over.

I think another thing that I am working on is balance in everything that I do. I am trying to get away from the same exact foods each day and the same exercise routines....change is a great thing right?

Well I am going to Nags Head in North Carolina tom with my family and boyfriend, last year I was so sick and 100 pounds...this year, I can embrace my figure on the beach, and also embrace my new lifestyle....

Remember ladies maintanence is all about moderation and balance!