[freelancemomma]

Great post, Kaplods. I agree that we make weight loss and maintenance much harder than they need to be. The more "getting back on track" experiences we put behind us, the more confidence we gain in our ability to reverse temporary setbacks. There isn't an alien being controlling our hands and mouths. We're always in control, even if it doesn't always feel that way.

F.

[traveling michele]

Originally Posted by kaplods

You can experiment and you can't really get hurt by it unless you give up entirely. If you go out with friends and eat what you want, it isn't going to set you on the path of regaining all your weight unless you let it. One day can't harm you. One week can't harm you. The only thing that can harm you is giving up entirely and eating like you did before you started and continuing to eat that way.

Amazing post Kaplods! Much of it spoke to me, but especially this part. I think I have often been tempted to say-- forget it-- it's too much work-- but I need to think differently. I won't gain all the weight back unless I give up and start eating like I used to. That is good food for thought.

[lin43]

OP, you've gotten some great advice, and these points in particular stood out as ones that I would wholeheartedly "second":

Originally Posted by traveling michele

Perhaps write down some possible variations from your plan to try and see what happens.

I think this is great advice. After yo-yo dieting for much of my adult life, I realize that this time around, I will keep going, even if that means changing up my plan. What works for us at one time in our life, may not ALWAYS work for us.

Originally Posted by sontaikle

You also might want to ease up on your tracking a bit. Maybe just calories instead of macros?

I agree. I knew when I first started out that it would be hard enough keeping up with calories, so I just gave up keeping up with macros, too. To me, that's just too stressful. As long as you generally eat healthily (e.g., lots of fruits & veggies, whole grains, etc.), your macros should be fine.

Originally Posted by kaplods

I don't know if you'd find that helpful, but one thing I think you might is to realize that maintenance really isn't about maintaining a consistent weight. It's about gaining and losing the same few pounds forever. How this is different than going back to old weight habits, is that you're working with the same few pounds, not the same 20, 50, or in my case 200.

As usual, your words of wisdom are inspirting, kaplods. I think your point is the most important one we can all learn about maintenance: The only way to regain is to give up.

OP, you may find that you can eat more than you think and still maintain your weight. I've been surprised to find that at 5 ft 3 and 44 yo, I can eat at least 2200 per day to maintain my weight (which, admittedly, is higher than yours: 135). I know that in your profession, weight and looks matter much more than for someone like me, but would 5 additional pounds really make all that much difference? (I'm not challenging you; I'm really asking). Because eating at a level that would put you 5 pounds higher would be much more eating freedom, and may make your life easier.

[Mudpie]

Originally Posted by freelancemomma

I may be an exception, but much to my surprise I find I'm able to maintain a weight under 140 pounds (I'm 5'11" and 55 years old) while eating about 2,000 calories per day and allowing myself lots of treats -- as long as I exercise about 3 hours a week. I'm actually trying to gain a few pounds so my clothes will fit better, which is something I never thought I'd hear myself say.

If I didn't allow myself treats and the occasional pigout, staying slim would NOT be worth it to me. I would rather be fat. To the OP: if you're overrestricting and overregimenting yourself, this may be something to look at.

F.

Interesting how much difference height makes. I'm 5'4" tall. I am your age (55), and struggling to stay under 140 lbs. when exercising 6-8 hours per day (I'm a commercial dogwalker) and eating under 2000 cals per day. Right now I'm up to 139 lbs. and I think I look chunky and ugly. I can picture how much better I'd look if I were taller.

Dagmar