Almost 1 year - A maintainers struggles
 

So I just wanted to take an opportunity as I'm getting close to my 1 year anniversary and the year is about half over to reflect upon this portion of my journey. I don't think it's any secret that I've been struggling with binging since about Janurary. I had a nice 5 week binge free stretch earlier this year, but then in April I had a 5 lb mysterious gain, I'm now thinking was partially muscle, but needless to say it sent me spiraling out of control and I am now up 10 lbs since my lowest weight, but techically still at goal - it makes sense if you read my siggy. I think my highest was probably 155, but I stopped weighing as often, especially on Mondays, so it's hard to say.

So anyway, I've been pretty cool and collected about the regain and about two weeks ago I pulled my head out of my you know what and just woke up. I'm not sure what finally clicked, but I think I'm coming out the other side and returning to a place of peace with myself, food and maintenance and reestablishing some common sense. The scale has finally stablized and is moving in the right direction. I mostly wanted to take this opportunity to express gratitude for a couple things.

1. The support that you've all given me, it's invaluable and I don't think the results would have been the same without. You've helped to know there is no shame in what has happened, and it may happen again and that's ok. Just keep it in check and keep doing what works. Persistence and consistency!
2. I'm grateful for the whole experience of the regain. I've learned a lot and learned a lot about what works for ME from a maintenance perspective. I've learned to stop comparing myself to other maintainers and stop judging myself for what system I choose to maintain at. Mostly I am just coming to this place of great acceptance of myself and my body and this has brought me great peace with myself and food.

I also just wanted to take a moment to put this post out there so that current losers can prepare themselves for the fact that although maintenance doesn't have to be difficult, don't be suprised if it is and be prepared that this journey is a lifelong process.

I hope all the maintainers are doing well and thank you all for being here!

Just wanted you to know that I have been following you and other maintainers for several months. I regained after losing trying to follow intuitive eating..posted on that yesterday. I am getting closer to goal again and I know that this time I will just have to keep doing what I have been doing to lose..not obsess...but accept. I accept that I will have to weigh daily, enter my food into software program and make adjustments as needed. The software really does help keep my records and it is so quick...not like the old fashioned calorie book and notebook. Every time I get away from recording weight and food, I gain. Finally, I have accepted this as a way of life. I have been stuck for a couple of months and am not sure why. But I do know that if I was not keeping records I would be frustrated and pounds would be returning. Hang in there. I enjoy reading your thoughts. Maintaining is the hardest work of all. I hope it helps you to share and possibly be accountable.

ncuneo and TexArk. you both are sharing experiences most of us (including me) have had. I know when I quit weighing daily and quit planning my meals that trouble is ahead.

Congrats on your one-year! You are right about this being a life long process and that is the hardest part to wrap your brain around. I am working on maintenance but do find more struggles since I am allowed a few more claories than while I was losing which seems to make the fat girl inside of me clamour for even more..."I've lost the weight, surely an extra helping won't hurt..." and I find it especially challenging with all the special events in the summertime (three last weekend alone, yikes!). Anyhow congrats again!

I have been at this goal weight at least 3 times before over the years. It is a struggle to stay here, but I have managed for 10 months now. Remaining a member of my weight loss support group (TOPS) keeps me in line from week to week. I feel an additional obligation to keep the pounds from creeping back on because I know I have to show the others that it can be done. It isn't easy at all. I still have issues with small binges. But, more often than not, I carefully monitor what I eat and remain dedicated to my exercise routine. I expect to have to struggle like this for the rest of my life....until food no longer interests me. (?!) But the great health I enjoy, and the confidence to know I can do anything I want to do and my body will be able to do it is a wonderful and exciting way to wake up each morning.
IT CAN BE DONE, and YOU CAN DO IT!!

Originally Posted by TexArk:
I accept that I will have to weigh daily,
enter my food into software program and make adjustments as needed.
The software really does help keep my records and it is so quick
...not like the old fashioned calorie book and notebook.
Every time I get away from recording weight and food, I gain.

Finally, I have accepted this as a way of life.
Maintaining is the hardest work of all.

This is also true for me. :comp:

Originally Posted by TexArk
I accept that I will have to weigh daily,
enter my food into software program and make adjustments as needed.
The software really does help keep my records and it is so quick
...not like the old fashioned calorie book and notebook.
Every time I get away from recording weight and food, I gain.

Finally, I have accepted this as a way of life.
Maintaining is the hardest work of all.

I have found this to be true for me as well. I have a peace accepting this truth. I know my calorie/carb boundaries for this stage of my life. I expect they will change and I will then have the ability to choose what to do about it. I find this ability to choose incredibly invigorating.

I have enjoyed reading your posts.:hug:

ncuneo, congrats on maintaining for almost a year :) This is my first time on 3FC in over a month, and I was coming with the sole purpose of starting a thread about maintaining for a year. You and I have been fairly in sync with this whole process. Anyways...congrats!

:congrat: You've done amazing!:D