Mostly I'm just stubborn and vain and can't bear to fail at anything.
Sorry for not being philosophical, but for me it really just comes down to not wanting to give up the new life, new wardrobe, lessened odds of diabetes and increased confidence that I've gained.

Mel

Personally, I can't wait till July rolls around and then I can put in my NWCR application in

I don't really consider myself an exception to the rule -- but I do believe that people should find a routine that they are comfortable with and work for them (and of course, keep trying and adjusting even if they fell off the wagon); it's kinda like finding a spouse/partner/companion, everyone along the way is doomed to failure until you find "the right one"; and I found a diet/exercise lifestyle that I can live with and make a habit ~ as a matter of fact, nowadays I feel absolutely horrible if I miss out on exercise or fell way off plan on my eating--even if it didn't result in a weight gain.

Well, IMHO 99% of the studies that come out daily are just not accurate. Either the methods are set up to be wrong or someone is putting it out there for a reason. I just can't help but think I didn't hear these gloom and doom stories before Gastric Bypass came along. Now both the AMA and doctors have an incentive $$ to have insurance companies pay for these surgeries because -- we can't just lose the weight the other way. I am not arguing the merits of that but, suddenly the doctors seem more willing to say that we can't and provide evidence of it.

I am going to fight the hypo here and say that this study is wrong. First, it doesn't jive with what I know. With regard to the people I know in the world I would say it was more like 60-40. 40 keep it off. Further, exactly what is considered going on a diet. I can't tell you how many *current dieters* that I know that think they are dieting but are in massive denial. Ie they lost 6 lbs of water weight and then think they *gained it back* when they had ring dings and fries for dinner. But likely just gained water.

Here is something that I think all the maintainers might have in common - putting your weight on an equal footing with life events. People think of life events that are important like (1) career; (2) marriage; (3) friends; (4) family -- these are the "A" things in a life. While food and exercise and is considered a B or C thing. But I think maybe it needs to be an A thing. Something taught from a young age that should be cared about and nurtured as an important part of life. I think everyone here who is maintaining has made it a wing of importance in the life. Just like you would go to grad school for 2 years... you are removing weight from your body for two years. Just as important.

I can honestly say for 20 years, I was GREAT at losing weight (real weight, not 6 lbs of ring dings, at one point 50 lbs for a year) but could never keep it off long term. I was that statistic. Based on my own personal experience of losing, gaining and gaining MORE, I still live in fear of that happening to me again.

It's been 3 years, I don't know when I'll ever feel "safe." After all this time, I still eat off plan/out of control in certain situations, I'm not sure what keeps pulling me back to "on plan" eating (for lack of a better term to call it).

I believe there is no better way to start out on this journey than to realize that it must be traveled for the rest of our lives. As someone who is rather new to the scene, I experienced first hand people saying "It's a lifestyle change, not a diet" very often. It's prepared me in more ways than any other advice.

It's become comforting to hear it being said in many situations. For example, if I've just made a poor choice I say "Can't quit now... this is for the rest of my life afterall." When I don't lose as much in a week as I'd like to (or grr... gain a little) I can think "It's okay. This'll happen, and it doesn't need to come off all at once, because you're doing this forever regardless of how fast it comes off. This is forever." And when I hear people tell me that I'm likely to gain it back, I can be incredulous "What are they talking about? I've changed my life! I like my life how it is now. Why would I want to go back?"

On one hand, I see how it can be construed as "Dun dun duuuuun! For the REST OF YOUR LIFE! Doooom Doooom!" Unfortunately, when people do take it that way, I find they aren't ready to hear the advice I have to offer about ... well... changing their lives forever. (They may ask me to see if there was some sort of quick fix.)

Anyway, I hope it was okay to respond in the Maintainers area I just felt strongly about this, because internalizing the notion that this is forever is what often keeps me on track. It's helped me with 80 lbs it'll help me with another 100... and it'll help me when I'm eventually regularly posting in this area!

Faerie, you're a Maintainer NOW -- you don't have to wait until you've lost another 100 pounds to post here! After all, you intend to keep those 80 pounds off for the rest of your life, right? Maintenance starts with Day One of your diet, so please join us and keep posting.

Such a great question and conversation.

I am a maintenance newbie, that's for sure. Still learning the ropes myself. I certainly can not consider myself a "success" in that area just yet. Or anytime soon. Quite frankly, until I'm an old lady (what did I say the other day? til 88?) and have maintained this loss of mine (or at least large majority of it) I won't.

It does amaze me though how the people here at the Maintainers Forum seem to have a different "take" on things then the "outside" world. We really seem to be on the same page. We are just so darn AWARE of the pitfalls of maintaining. Maybe that awareness makes us that more vigilient. We all seem to be using the same "methods" that we lost with, to maintain with. The preparing, the tracking, the PLANNING, the need for accountability, the exercise, etc. I really think that is the key. We all realized, once and for all, that there was no turning back. Once we made the decision to lose the weight we changed our, yes, LIFESTYLES. We were willing to do that - and do that FOREVER. When we started out, we ACCEPTED the fact that this was going to be for LIFE. And THAT is the difference IMO.

But boy, it's hard sometimes, isn't it? Meg and Mel, you set shining examples. Brilliant, SHINING examples. You too Glory.

*edited to add: Another reason I think I am so willing to do this forever is, I was just soooo miserable prior to losing the weight and now I am just so thrilled to be where I am. So for me, remembering where I came from and where I am now is going to be vital for my maintenance. Also exactly what Mel, said, I'm too stubborn, and (have gotten) too vain and can't bear to fail at anything. I also mentioned this last week or so. I used to wish/dream that if I only got a chance to be a normal weight, that there was no way I would ever screw it up. So, yeah, I've gotten that chance and G-d help me, I'm NOT screwin' up. Might have a few blips in the road, or even MORE then a few, but really I'm not going back. I'm not, I'm not, I'm not . So therefore, I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Let's talk again in 44 years.

Still doesn't answer the question, as to why 95% of the population is NOT willing to do this forever, or do they think that they ARE willing to do it, and then they just don't?

There have been so many great points made in this thread. Trends across populations are helpful and interesting, but the bottom line is that we are each our own "n of 1" and we have to figure out how our lives are going to look.

I joined 3FC in 2004 and this is the third time since then I have lost down to 175. Each time I lost by calorie counting and exercise.

The first time I hit 175, winter rolled around and I stopped running because I hate to run in the dark or cold and the littlest one was not in full-time childcare, so I did not make it a priority to stick with it. I fell back into my old eating habits and BOOM, I was back to 200+.

Then Spring of 2006, I started running again and calorie counting and I got back down to 175....for one day! I remember that day. I went to visit SIL in the hospital after the birth of my nephew and she and my BIL commented on how trim and good I looked. I left the hospital, binged on Mediterranean food, and stopped running. I think I need to have my head examined!

I reverted to my old habits and shot back up to 200+ again.

End of September 2007, I start running and calorie counting again. The weight comes off slower, BUT I am perservering through the cold and the dark and the high-calorie holidays. February rolls around and I am frighteningly close to my 175 self-destruction mark. I join a gym with a personal trainer. I blink and I am at 173. Can't remember EVER being at 173 before! I am believing that this time is for life.

So I have learned a lot in my previous efforts. I must have a plan in place through dark and cold months. I must view off plan days as speed bumps, not a precipitating event for plan destruction. I can NEVER return to having a SAD (Standard American Diet).

The USA is an obesigenic environment. We are surrounded by cheap, high-calorie, nutrient poor foods. For most of us, exercise MUST be intentional. Quite frankly, living the status quo is an invitation to be fat. The adults I know who are healthy and fit are paying attention to their food and exercise.

I plan to see the scale continue to go down. My ticker goal is a number I pulled out of thin air. I don't really know where I will end up. But I have other goals....body fat goals, exercise goals. But I am already a maintainer. I have my own red line that shifts each time the scale moves down and stays there. Right now it is 178. In a month it might be 168. But I will never (barring pregnancy!) see 180 on my home scale again. Red line!!!

3FC is a gem in many ways, but one the the most important ways is the focus on maintenance. I remember the first time I read Meg's statement that her maintenance looks a lot like her life did while she was losing.

Ding, ding, ding! Lightbulb moment!!! You mean the behaviors that made me fat in the first place will make me fat again? So simple, but sometimes it takes a 2 X 4 to the head to get me to pay attention.

Things I have learned:

1) Each person needs to define his or her own success. Losing 10% and keeping it off is FANTASTIC for health and well-being. BMIs and such have limitations. Success is in the eyes of the beholder.

2) Daily weighing. Rest of my life. No denial, no head-in-the-sand. Awareness is KEY.

3) Simple, healthy meals are key. I have my basics and sometimes I incorporate other things, but I know what I like, what satisfies me, and what helps me meet my goals.

4) Planning, planning, planning!

5) A speedbump is not a cliff. Get back on the horse.

6) If exercise is not uncomfortable, I am not pushing myself hard enough. It can be fun, satisfying, invigorating, but I have got to push myself into an uncomfortable zone for results.

I'm also going to get rid of my fat clothes. No going back.

But like I said, when I live the status quo, I gain weight. When I buck societal trends, I lose weight and gain health. It is hard to NOT be obese in our culture. Diligence, and discipline and all that stuff. But worth it!!!!!!

I think all of you are on to something: you are vigilant about maintaining!

Twice in the past I have lost 60 pounds. The first time, I kept it off for about a year and a half. The second time, I kept it off for about two and a half years. So what happened? I got complacent.

After a few months, or a year or so, I would start thinking "Hey, this is easy. I can eat that Double-Double cheeseburger and fries, and I'll still be slim! I can eat like everyone else and not worry about it!"

That would be fine if it were an occasional thing, but like a pebble rolling downhill and starting an avalanche, I started eating more and more junk more often. Then I would skip workouts: at first, only one here and there, but more often as time went on.

At first I believed I was "getting away" with it: my weight came back so slowly at first that it was easy to overlook.

Eventually, I was back to eating poorly all the time, getting virtually no regular exercise, and whammo--the weight was back.

This time I know things will be different because I know that complacent mindset is what derailed me in the past, and I won't fall into that trap again. I also am learning the skills you maintainers use by lurking in this forum, and know I can turn to all of you for help.

I never sought out support, guidance, or role models to inspire me before. Now that I have all three here, from you ladies, I know I will be able to keep the weight off for good.

What a great thread with some very potent observations.
Today I am celebrating 1 year of maintenance.
A year ago I reached my then goal weight of 127 lbs.
I had started my weight loss ( counting calories, weighing my food, endurance cardio) the October before at my highest ever weight of 153.
It took me 5 months to reach my goal and I never ever want to get back to that weight again.
Today I am 120.
I think the biggest two changes I made were really recognizing how many calories I put into my mouth and consistent exercising.
I don't actually weigh my food or count calories anymore because I am eating the same foods I ate when losing with possibly 200 cals a day more, since I've added protein shakes.
But I do weigh myself every morning.
I've been trying to eat more protein because I've really gotten into weight lifting ( what a shame I didn't do it when I was actively losing lbs but I didn't realize the value then).
And I love my HIIT treadmill workouts --so much better than being on the TM for hours.
I realize I have to eat the way I am eating now for the rest of my life and I am really fine with it ( I think before I had actually no idea of the caloric value of foods and that's why I put on the weight)--oh and I nearly forgot--
because I don't have them anymore being a cookie junkie--I could never eat just one)
I have 1 treat meal a week at lunch with my husband and that satisfies me plenty.
And being able to get into my size 6 jeans and watching my muscles develop is terrific inspiration for continuing my life style changes.
And having the support of everyone on the maintenance and exercise sections of 3fatchicks --well, priceless!!!
By the way Meg or anyone how do I register at the NWCR?

I started the process on their website:
http://www.nwcr.ws/NWCR_join.htm

I filled out 2 big stacks of paperwork (the last in October) I haven't heard anything since!

Thank you for such an inspiring and informative thread.

I have to admit, I struggle with knowing that this journey will never really end...even after I meet goal. Yes, sometimes it can be very overwhelming, but I'd rather be faced with a realistic idea of my future instead of seeing things through rose colored glasses. So, Thank you, Maintainers, for showing us how it can be done.

It is a little overwhelming sometimes to think "wow, I'm on an amusement park ride I can never get off!"

Like last night, I get home from the grocery store around 9 (much later than usual), I still have to make lunches and I sooo didn't want to. I packed 10 salads (for me and my boyfriend), bagged up 5 bags of carrots for him, 5 bags of assorted veggies for me, packed his lunch for today, packed my lunch for today, did all the cleaning up (broccoli slaw gets EVERYWHERE) and it took almost an hour. I was MOST grumpy. I would much rather have been playing Guitar Hero or playing with the kitties or taking a bath or ANYTHING.

But then I get dressed for work this morning and slide on my size 6 black pants and cute little lime green cashmere fitted sweater (hello St. Patrick's Day) and stare at myself in the mirror and think "wow, that's me!" Heh, I have to confess, whenever I am in the bathroom by myself (even in public!!) I turn to the side, pull up my shirt, suck in and stare at my thinness in the mirror. Almost every time! 3 years later, the miracle of thin me never gets old.

And my BBQ chicken salad with spinach and grape tomatoes and avocado (and other stuff) was really really yummy.

So true! I applied for the NWCR a couple years ago and they sent me the big stack of paperwork and then I lost it... I need to contact them again.

Of course I peruse here because as I see it, I'm either in maintenance mode or losing mode. Unfortunately for the last few months, its been maintenance mode.

I don't make it in here as often as I'd like. The maintainers section is a great resource and it's been wonderful hearing about the experiences and talking with such a large contingent of people in the same boat we are.

I think this is a very important thread.

ROFL at the girlscout crack-pusher line!

Here are some of my very unscientific observations:

People who lose large amounts of weight, get fit and stay that way are generally the ones that immerse themselves in some culture of fitness. That is, they become personal trainers (or get one and stick with it), get involved in a competitive sport (marathon runner, etc), or maybe just make a lot of friends at a gym. Maybe they get their spouse to jump off the healthy lifestyle cliff with them. Anyway, my point is that they choose activities that enforce the changes they've made in their lifestyle. It makes them critically evaluate the food and exercise choices they make every day. I believe you have to have something very pressing (internal or external) to motivate you to make the right decisions every day. I think the prior investment of time and effort and the social components of these activities keep many long-term maintainers on track.

Rockinrobin, I so understand where you're coming from! It seems like yesterday when I was that other person. I'm not going back there ever!


We saw this a lot when we first lost or ran into people who hadn't seen us for several years. People are very keen to know how you lost weight, but their expressions instantly change when you begin detailing your habits. We try hard to reengage people, telling them about how enjoyable it can be, and how it really does get much easier. I think some people get it. They just have to be ready to hear the message anyway. Except to loved ones with their health at risk you won't find us proselytizing much.