Maintenance and Exercise

[elliebath]

Maintenance, or the prospect of it, seems to scare us as we all worry about regaining the weight. As you've seen in my other posts, I have managed to maintain for sixteen months and although I still monitor my foods, it is far more relaxed than before, often just a rough guess in my head. (the difference now is that now my guesses are much more accurate than they were when I was fat ...lol )

Anyway, I read some interesting points from maintainers on an american site, which I think are worth sharing. What comes through is this:

Successful "losers" who relied mostly on eating healthier and in less quantity, find subsequent maintenance easier. But the "losers" who relied more on exercise or have "eaten back" their exercise calories, are far more likely to regain the weight.

To me this supports the idea that, in terms of weight control exercise is important for your health, but is no substitute for what or how much you eat .

[Nelliecat4 Maintainer]

Agree 100% with your thoughts elliebath - I have only been maintaining for a few months, and still feel I need to weigh myself daily to keep on track.

I lost the weight very gradually (sometimes less than 4 oz in a week!) and did it by giving up crisps, reducing my phenomenal chocolate intake, and generally consuming smaller portions of healthier food. Don't seem to eat much potato these days, or as much bread either. I do walk a lot more, mainly because my hip hurts less now I am lighter, but I don't do any "proper" exercise. Slow and steady wins the race!

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to Nelliecat4]

Your story sounds very similar to mine! Fingers crossed we'll continue to do ok with it ☺

[Nelliecat4 Maintainer in reply to elliebath]

We can definitely do this!

[slimpickings 2 stone]

I had been told that weight loss is an 80:20 split. 80% what you eat and 20% what you do. That supports your research on successful maintenance. Xx

[IndigoBlue61]

Interesting 😊 I also read that losing weight slowly seems to be more successful too, I suppose your body has time to adjust 😊 I definitely do not get as hungry nowadays, can rarely finish a meal when we eat out, which I am hoping bodes well for maintenance 😊

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I agree Anna, I too find I have no interest in big meals anymore , even healthy big meals. Some days I find it hard to eat enough calories , approx 1500, of healthy food without resorting to a bit of cake or glass of wine. But the difference in maintenance is that I don't beat myself up if that happens. I try to keep a supply of nuts, greek yoghurt and even a spoon of peanut butter to top up my calories if needs be.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to elliebath]

I also leave food unless I am really enjoying it 😕 We bought steak pies for a treat, and it wasn't. I'm afraid I spat it out and threw it away. Unheard of previously! It just wasn't worth the calories. 😊 Lol 😊

[Diana in reply to elliebath]

The same for me, I do tend to nibble Which is my weakness

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Elliebath,

I really like your post, and great to have another post in the topic of 'Maintaining'.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and a great week ahead.

Lowcal

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to Zest]

And same to you Lowcal😊

[Diana]

How very true, gained 2lbs in 2 weeks, I know the nibbles and over eating did it, and it must go!

Nearly a year since my complete 2st weight loss

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to Diana]

I also gained 2 lbs on a recent two week holiday . So on return home last week I reduced to 1300 cals and shed 1pound of it. But today for reasons unknown ( still on 1300 cals ) I am suddenly 3 lbs heavier, ... frustrating isn't it?!

[Diana in reply to elliebath]

It is, hormones play a part too, bodies strange things at times too, I just reduce to 1500 cals, nearing 2000 lately, hence the gain!

No doubt you will get there or resort to plateau techique which works for me

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to Diana]

Lol, don't think I can blame hormones anymore....but thanks for the reassurance and good luck to you too in shifting those pesky few pounds 😊

[Diana in reply to elliebath]

You'd be surprised what they do, like a clock, ticking and keeping things as they should, more complex than we think too

[Diana in reply to elliebath]

They vanished when I gave up sugar, and was ruthless in my extra nibble So!