One of the maintainers suggested the book, "Refuse to Regain". I havent started it yet but it's next in my list

Hi Rainbow,
I spent a lot of time reading many of the old threads, a few things seem to be a common trend in keeping the weight off:
self weighing even when you feel like you are off program.
continuing to post on the threads.
having a range and scream weight.

I think the key is that we can not lose focus and that it is a lifelong/ daily commitment. I am working on letting go of perfection and accepting a slip without giving into shame and defeat. A vigilant effort to break the cycle.

It is hard work, but we can do it. Thanks for all those great recipes!

Slipfree, I completely agree.

1.For me, self-weighing was really important, even when it was hard.
2. Posting on the maintenance thread and giving support on the other threads also increases accountability.
3. Continuing to eat as though I was on P3 or P4. When I stuck to my "routine" eating, I was fine. I found I could deviate once or twice a week, but not more. I also have the 1-2-3 days, that worked well for me. If I had "up" pounds I did a day of P1, a day of P2 and a day of P3 and that usually took care of it. It was a "fast reset" and got me back on track.
4. Physical movement and exercise are also good, although I've only been successful in the summers when I could swim.

I bought and read the book Refuse to Regain while on maintenance. It's a good one.

I also realize that this is a lifelong thing for me. I have to allow myself to relax and go "off-program" occasionally during certain times of the year. It HAS to be ok with me as long as I understand that I will return to my normal (P4) way of eating if I hit my ceiling weight. I think I've been kinder to myself this past year. I don't feel that I'm punishing myself for transgressions by going back OP. On the contrary, I feel in control. I have to admit that I enjoyed gaining those 20 pounds, although I would not have enjoyed gaining more. Now I'm enjoying being back OP and I'm feeling a lot better.

But I agree, Rainbow, it would be best NOT to have to do this again. Some people can eat anything they want and not gain a pound. I just don't think I'll ever be that way. Oh well. At least we know how to get it off.

As soon as I figure this "maintaining" part out, I will post something more emphatic. But for now, my feeling is I will just stay on some form of the IP diet for the rest of my life. It's actually pretty healthy as I've never eaten so many vegetables. In other words, I have given up the ghost on my old "diet/no-diet" strategy ... but I am thinking about it more as a lifestyle change now. We all know the drill ... exercise, eat well, watch carbs.

I think a major part of it is stepping on the scale. When I avoid the scale I gain (I am in sense living in denial).

I lost the 80 pounds in 2010 on IP...maintained okay until 2013 holiday season. I would put on 10 or even 15 but take it off quickly.

I stopped stepping on scale and wore stretchy clothes starting in January of 1014...it was a rough year (my daughter split with husband and an ugly ugly custody battle followed, my cousin killed himself, and I had surgery to remove lung tumors...not a smoker and never have been...weird endrocrine disease).

When I had surgery in September I stepped on scale and was up 39 of the 80 pounds...I was floored...now still down half my weight, but so disappointed after years of maintenance.

Now, 4 months later, 7 more and I am back to my goal weight! This time though I did not do the crazy 100% phase 1. I believe the all or nothing mentally gets us in trouble. If I had a bite of cheese or extra fat...I didn't feel like I blew anything. I just keep plugging. It has been slower, but so worth it.

So, for me

1. Support...this site, Facebook groups of women from this site, and my husband
2. Stepping on scale
3. Getting rid of all or nothing mentality

Welcome back and good luck.

I would second all 3 of these points. I didn't go way off the reservation until I stopped keeping track of my weight (I was really good about weekly weigh-ins at home for the "successful" portion of maintenance), and stopped visiting this forum. I don't necessarily need the accountability from a pricey coach, but I do need to feel accountable, or I make too many excuses for myself.

I agree too that having an "all or nothing" mentality can be a maintenance killer. It's too short sighted - we are in this for a lifetime, and cannot give up just because we slipped on the trail up the mountain once or twice. I've stopped viewing weight loss/maintenance as a "goal" and started viewing it as a process that will have ups and downs. Like Joysh mentioned I'm much kinder to myself now! I hesitated coming back to the forum when I had regained, I was ashamed and felt I had let all the people down that I had helped be successful my first time around on P1. I had to get over it - I'm human too and I'm allowed to slip, stumble, even fall in spectacular fashion. But what matters is whether I pick myself up and press on. I can see that maintenance is just going to be a constant "pressing on" :)

"I spent a lot of time reading many of the old threads, a few things seem to be a common trend in keeping the weight off:
self weighing even when you feel like you are off program.
continuing to post on the threads.
having a range and scream weight.

I think the key is that we can not lose focus and that it is a lifelong/ daily commitment. I am working on letting go of perfection and accepting a slip without giving into shame and defeat. A vigilant effort to break the cycle. "

This is it totally, I agree with Slip.
Especially the range & scream weight (and the range can't be 25 lbs, lol). Activity is very important.
A little something extra every day is 365 days of extra per year that we don't need. Planning for something once a week keeps YOU in control and not your environment. We can never go back to eating 'normally,' which may be the norm, but isn't natural or healthy. Just because most of the Western world chooses to kill themselves slowly with bad food habits doesn't mean that is the way to treat our bodies. And don't move into the stretchy clothes - that's a very bad signal of denial. Stretchy clothes are good for exercise, lol. The non- stretchy fabrics should still be comfortable - if they aren't - it's time to get back on track.

Liana

Absolutely

For me it will be acknowledging that my old diet has gone. While I'm on P1 I am researching all kinds of future diets for maintenance. I believe that having a plan will be the way forward to maintaining a consistent weight range.

My plan so far:-

1. Set a range that I can "live" within. Not just a weight I can get to.
2. Find a food plan that works for me - makes my stomach comfortable, doesn't make me bloat and keeps me high on energy
3. Get on the scale every week

It's a big worry for a lot of people, being able to maintain.

I lost 80lbs last year and was within 20lbs of my goal but...I went on an all-inclusive trip to Mexico (and *really* enjoyed myself, lol!), my coach left the clinic and I lost the drive I had. If I had phased off properly after reaching my goal, I think it would have been a lot different for me.

Thankfully, I've seen the number on the scale and I'm not happy with it so I'm rebooting and I will phase off properly and follow the Maintainers thread closely because I *want* this, I *want* to be healthy.

Jo

Thanks, I promised myself this was forever. My husband is a wonderful motivator too. So helpful and compassionate about the whole thing.

Maile is the only person I know to keep it off for years. She is a few months behind me in maintenance. I have watched the maintenance thread change names over and over and over for 5 years now. This is a life-long marathon. I am determined to maintain better than I have been. Although still very proud of what I have accomplished over the last 5 years.

Great discussion - as this is a reboot for me, I am very intent on making sure that phasing off and maintenance are well thought out and the mindset needed is getting established while losing on P1.
Thanks to all the successful maintainers and rebooters for the tips and the realization that this is a process not a one off deal. It is so helpful to know what to expect and how to prepare for the continued work ahead.

Many familiar names here. :) I'm back today rebooting and have spent the afternoon reading this thread. Very nice that I am not alone in this. First started IP in Sept 2013 and over 8 months lost about 65 pounds. Felt and looked great. Then summer came, I relaxed off the program and relaxation turned to 30 pounds up. Bam! Starting fresh as of today. 100% on program. Just need to try to remember how to update my ticker and signature...

Must say I think the biggest mistake I made was stopping my daily visits to this forum.

Welcome back GettinHealthyNow :) I remember you from 2013. I gained 20 lbs over the summer - despite running 3-4 times/week. I agree with you - I should have never stopped checking in here and I should have been checking in with my coach as well. I kept thinking I needed to drop the extra lbs before going back so my coach wouldn't be disappointed. That was stupid. I should have gone back when I was 5 lbs up. Not 20. Lesson learned! Good luck and hope to "see" you around here!

I'm no where near maintenance mode yet, and to be honest it does scare me, which is why I faithfully read (and lurk in) this thread. My coach has already talked about it and advised me that once I've reached my goal, monitor closely and go back to phase 1 if I gain 5 pounds. That's the trigger. Don't wait for 10 or it'll quickly turn into 20 or more. Because I'm tall it takes about 20 pounds to go up or down a size, so that advice should keep me in the new wardrobe that I'm planning for once I hit goal! :)

He (my coach) lost 100 pounds on IP and has maintained for over 3 years by following that plan. It sounds feasible; I'll be glad when I get there and can try it for myself.