I have lost quite a substantial amount of weight more times than I like to admit. Honestly, until this time, I have never thought about maintenance. I was never able to maintain a large weight loss because almost all of our supposed education about losing weight in this country does not include maintenance. Maintenance is really the most important part. Without it, most people will do as I've done and always be in a constant state of losing or gaining. I have literally been stuck in that cycle for the past 25 years or more.
The last time I lost a lot of weight like this was back in 2003. In 2004, when I had gained it all back, plus some for good measure, I decided to stop fighting it and start thinking of myself as a plus-sized woman. I started going to plus-sized stores and consciously decided to no longer care about my size or what I ate or drank. I always bounced back up to a larger size and I talked myself into the idea that I was meant to be a larger woman and I needed to stop fighting it.
Fast forward to 2010. When my moment came that I knew I actually didn't want to live with the weight, I also knew that I was going to have to do much more research and really challenge so many of the old weight loss myths and ideals of the past that had kept me stuck in the cycle. I have definitely done that this time, BUT, there is always this nagging little voice in my head that says, "most likely you will gain it back, you won't be able to maintain this for the REST of your life." I also will let my mind wander, look at the pics on my wall and wonder how fat I will look in a picture that will be taken in a few years.
I know it's weird and I know that negative self-talk is a huge road block to success. I try my best not to do it, but when I'm just letting my mind wander it happens.
What is different for all of you this time around, if you've lost weight in the past? Why is it that you know you will NOT regain the weight this time? I guess I just need to hear what other people say to themselves and how they keep negative thoughts from creeping back in.
to all of you.