Maintain Target Weight

Here I collect ideas for maintaining after reaching target weight:

1.) Expect to feel "tired" or "bored" of counting calories or glasses of water and all that other jazz.

THIS IS NORMAL! You don't have to be doing it every single second of the day anymore, but plan to do it once in a while. Once a week, once a month, twice a year. Whatever you feel gives you an accurate picture of the status quo.

2) Even after reaching target weight, continue to participate in your support network -- on or off-line.

Just because you've entered the city limits does NOT mean you automatically know your way around town!

3) Don't go hog wild.

Reaching target is not about being "allowed" to eat all those "other" foods. You were "allowed" to eat them all along! This is no time to have a freak out and go on a food frenzy! Yes, you can have a little more flexibility, but no you cannot go nuts and eat cookies-creme all the live long day. Seek balance.

4) Ease up on the "gotta-lose-weight-gym-type" exercise, up the "this-is for fitness-but-fun-recreational-type-exercise."

If they are one in the same, fine. But if the gym scene is old, check out new active hobbies: gardening, recreational biking, tennis. Be looking into "recreational" exercise BEFORE you've reached target so you can smoothly make the transition to "recreational maintain fitness" instead of "weight loss fitness" both in your head and in your body.

It's a mindset change. You must be active and remain active, but you don't have to be gunning for losing pounds anymore.

5) Start weaning it off slowly.

Start learning to fly without the aid of the food journals, the scales, the tape measure as daily things. You might gain a little while you flex your wings, don't freak out! Test your new skills before abandoning all the old "lose weight" techniques. Maybe stop counting actual calories but still keep an eye on the portions. Don't set yourself up for a huge regain later because you did not take the time to test things out ahead of time. It's disappointing!

6) Take pride in what you've accomplished so far, but don't get complacent.

The hardest is yet to come. Continuing to live with your new healthy habits can only stand the test of time if you KEEP THEM UP.

7) List your personal pitfalls, so if there is a sudden unacceptable regain you know right where to look first and don't sit around confused or frustrated.

For example: a sweet tooth, a fondness for social drinking, eating out more than eating in, relying on prepackaged food, skipping meals, etc. Only you know your personal triggers. Write them down so you don't forget what they used to be. Hope you never have to refer to that list again, but if you do, be glad you saved yourself some legwork for later! You lost weight once, why go aaaaalll the way back to square one if you don't have to!?

8) Listen to your body and take action based on what you feel and how you feel.

top

about | journal archives | body project | photo gallery | e-mail |