I have lost weight before and then gained it back (80 and 50 lbs respectively). I am sure most all of you can relate. So this time I have been trying to develop the same habits as the folks listed in the National Weight Loss Registry. On average these folks have been maintaining their weight loss (range of weight lost is 30-300 lbs) for 5.5 years!!!!! WOW I like those numbers.

What do they do?

90% exercise 1 hour per day

75% weigh themselves at least once a week

62% watch fewer then 10 hours of TV a week

and a majority eat breakfast everyday (didn't write down the number as it is the one thing I already do)

I really don't want to do that yoyo thing and figure this is my best chance at success. I have bought a scale and have started weighing myself once a week. The others I am working on making into habits over time. What do people think? Have you already incorporated any of these habits into your life?

It all seems doable but daunting. Encouragement appreciated

Denise

I do each and every one of those things. I didn't always do them. But now they are second nature to me and are all part of the things that I do as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Thin for Life and the Step Diet uses those strategies from the NWLR to form the book if you want to see any more tips.

I know that my lack of habits not only caused me to gain back the 100lbs I lost, but also comes into play whenever I go off plan, it's like the habit part of me is not strong enough to stop the stupid part of me that wants to eat anything and everything...

Good points here, I need to really develop them into my life.....

Everything but the TV thing. Another reason to give the tube a rest, maybe I will try that next.

I weigh at least once a week, watch less than 10 hours of tv a week and eat breakfast everyday. I'm working on the exercising everyday. Tomorrow I start at our community gym doing weights and have been walking everyday. I do read a lot though which is my substitute for tv most nights.

I don't exercise an hour per day but I certainly do the rest.

Thanks for those who wrote to let me know it is possible and I am not the only one.

I started an exercise program today. I am tracking it on my calendar as well as keeping track of how much time I spend watching TV. The goal is 30 minutes of exercise twice a day. I'll think about the TV after that is a habit.

Confessorsuian - Congratulations on the gym. Exercise is the hardest part for me.

Scarlet - I am working on those habits too. Thanks

I just want to mention that yes, those are very good habits to incorporate into your life. But none of them will "work" (make us lose weight) unless we reduce our caloric intake and create a calorie deficit.

Well, duh.

I am working towards a healthy lifestyle. I like the opportunity to focus on adding good habits. I find that if I replace thought of unhealthy treats with how I will work in 5-7 fruits and veggies my mind gets distracted. If I have an on plan mean waiting for me at home it is easier to go home and eat then to stop and pick up something less healthy but fast. I think in dog training they call it incompatible behaviors. I only know this about dog training because I have replaced my t.v. watching with radio talk show podcastz. Right now I am listening to “Calling All Pets”. I find I clean the house and cook while I listen because I can not listen and surf the web or watch t.v. or read. I hope to soon start walking/exercising while I listen.

Everything you listed should be part of my healthier life. I weigh myself weekly. I do eat breakfast 9 out of 10 days. I have just greatly reduced my TV time. I find it helps me to sleep better when I do not watch TV every evening. I am struggling with exercise but I know that it is a must do for good health at any size. So I am committed to increasing my exercise to 5 days a week through the month of March.

Great thread.

I second this one. In the past I would consider myself an "active" obese person. I have been doing boxing (in some form or another) for at least the past 7 years, I am a sleep whore , and I have cut back on my tv watching. I always eat breakfast in the morning (at work normally). Plus I have a very active dog so I have the be outside rain or shine walking her or she will tear apart the house.

It was only when I started to cut back on calories and really looked at what I was eating that the weight started to drop off. But it will be the habits that I have developed that I can carry over for maintenance.