[surfergirl2]

Hello...I want to lose 18 more pounds, so I'm not actually in maintenance. But I'm trying a different approach this time. Instead of focusing on the weight, which will come off eventually (even if it takes a year), I'm focusing on maintaining my good eating habits.

One small change that I definitely want to make a habit forever, is to eat only protein for breakfast and NO SNACKING before 12 p.m. Before, I used to eat a huge sugary breakfast, which would make me crave sugar all morning, so I would snack all morning and this would basically set the tone for the entire day. If I can stick with this habit, I know can do it forever; Sunday brunch could mess with that but that's something I do 3-4 times a year if that.

Other than that, I'm more flexible, but trying to stick with a healthy, unprocessed lunch and snack (mostly veggies, meat, cheese, and nuts), and then whatever i want for dinner, but keeping the total under 2000 calories. This allows me to feel unrestricted if i go out to dinner. I'll also allow myself to go over 2000 calories on occasion, if it's a holiday or whatever.

Whenever i fall off the wagon (which I did on Superbowl Sunday), i tell myself, "this is life. This is FOREVER. There will be occasions where you will overeat. That's ok ONCE IN A WHILE." At the same time, whenever i feel like giving up, i tell myself, "This is FOREVER. You are developing healthy habits that will last a lifetime. You have to get through this temporary pain to get there. If you keep giving in, you will never get there."

[bargoo]

surfergirl, good luck .

[Megan1982]

It sounds like you've got a good handle on a healthy approach! Many have trouble with the idea of "lifestyle change" - you've got it! Good luck and please join us.

[pageta]

I've found the longer I eat like that, the less I enjoy the times I deviate from that plan. Junk food used to be good, now it's kinda gross. I still am tempted, but not like I was.

Congratulations on your weight loss and figuring out a plan for maintenance!

[shcirerf]

Originally Posted by surfergirl2

Hello...I want to lose 18 more pounds, so I'm not actually in maintenance. But I'm trying a different approach this time. Instead of focusing on the weight, which will come off eventually (even if it takes a year), I'm focusing on maintaining my good eating habits.

One small change that I definitely want to make a habit forever, is to eat only protein for breakfast and NO SNACKING before 12 p.m. Before, I used to eat a huge sugary breakfast, which would make me crave sugar all morning, so I would snack all morning and this would basically set the tone for the entire day. If I can stick with this habit, I know can do it forever; Sunday brunch could mess with that but that's something I do 3-4 times a year if that.

Other than that, I'm more flexible, but trying to stick with a healthy, unprocessed lunch and snack (mostly veggies, meat, cheese, and nuts), and then whatever i want for dinner, but keeping the total under 2000 calories. This allows me to feel unrestricted if i go out to dinner. I'll also allow myself to go over 2000 calories on occasion, if it's a holiday or whatever.

Whenever i fall off the wagon (which I did on Superbowl Sunday), i tell myself, "this is life. This is FOREVER. There will be occasions where you will overeat. That's ok ONCE IN A WHILE." At the same time, whenever i feel like giving up, i tell myself, "This is FOREVER. You are developing healthy habits that will last a lifetime. You have to get through this temporary pain to get there. If you keep giving in, you will never get there."

I wish we had a like button or like another forum, a place to click for Karma points! You figured it out!