Yo-Yo's unit!

Just joined this site a few days ago and haven't really found any specific forum for people like me who have yo-yoed (sp?) with weight (though there could be one, I just can't find it!!) Anyone else out there like me who's losing it A-G-A-I-N? Of course I gained with having 2 kids each pregnancy and lost it both times, but over the years, I seem to creep up 10-20 lbs. When I hit around 134ish, the panic button goes off in my head and I swear on a stack of scales I'm going to lose it and keep it off this time. That's where I'm at right now.  Anyone out there who's kept it off forever? Care to share your secrets? Or anyone else who's struggling like me and want to join me? Either way I think this is a great place to be!

I used to Yo-yo sorta kinda. I mean I'd go on these crazy fad diets, then my head would get all out of wack (or I'd start blacking out - whatever came first) and I'd binge for months until it all came back.

This is my first time taking it off to a maintenance level. Gah does it feel good. I pray hard that I will continue to stay dedicated to my ways I have now.

I came from 294 pounds, and now I'm 123 pounds. Sooo that's a total weight loss of *drum roll* 171 pounds.

And I don't want any of it back.

5 months maintenance.

Noni, you probably let yourself go back to that weight because you know you can come back.  And you get sick of being vigilant with your food and exercise and just want to relax again.

Or like me, you are good at taking weight off, just not maintaining.  I haven't ever been able to maintain before but this time I count calories (online) every day as I am so not wanting to go back to the way things were.  I lost about 60 something pound (I usually do kilograms so not sure what 30kg is).

I've not kept it off 'forever' yet but, three years in, I'm quite pleased with the progress.  Trying to think of the top tips...

1.  DON'T do anything in order to lose weight that you can't see yourself HAPPILY doing for ever.  Don't eat strange/separate food, cut calories drastically or do ridiculous amounts of exercise if you can't see yourself eating the same food and doing the same amount of exercise this week, next month, next year...  Any changes you make have to be a) voluntary, b) enjoyable and c) permanent.

2.  DO get into a regular eating pattern, an interesting repertoire of healthy foods and some form of regular activity.  When you eat out, be consistent.  When you go on holiday, be consistent.  When it's Christmas, be consistent.  It takes 6 months for these behaviours to become your new 'habit' so, even if you reach your target weight in 3 months.... keep going.

3. DON'T aim for an ideal weight that you last saw aged 18.  Aim for a range that's sensible that's liveable.  My phrase is... "I'd rather be a healthy weight for ever than my ideal weight for half an hour."

4.  DO weigh yourself weekly.  If you gain more than 2lbs in a week then act immediately, trim the portions just a little, ditch the unhealthy snacks/alcohol/junk...  It's a lot easier to lose a spare 2lbs than to lose an extra 20.

"swear on a stack of scales" - lol

Noni, I'm right there with you. Three weeks ago I was ten pounds lighter than I am now. I needed to gain 5 so I decided to take two weeks off counting and logging. I planned this to coincide with a business trip that happened to include a lot of buffet meals. Now, I'm disgusted with myself and I want to lose 5 to get to my ideal weight. Hopefully this will be the last time I lose this 5 lbs. Good luck.