I've been a member of the NWCR for about six years. There are so few of we maintainers around, and comparatively few studies of maintenance (as compared to weight loss) I'm happy to help out.

The Registry accepts non-US members, if anyone's wondering.

I find some of the questions hard to answer though. The questionnaire assumes that you eat a lot of processed/packaged food. For example, do you eat "regular" or low-fat salad dressing? We don't buy bottled salad dressing, so whether we eat regular or low-fat depends on the recipe we're using that night.

Then there's a question about whether you eat cold cereal. (Yes) Then later on, you're asked to fill in a box from a list - Special K, Kashi Light etc. I eat either home-made muesli (no added sugar) or home-made granola (no added sugar or fat) so I just leave that box blank, thus creating a discrepancy. Once, the Registry emailed me because I forgot to answer a question, but they never got back to me about the cereal issue.

Anyway, it's a worthwhile exercise.

I just remembered something else about the Registry.

There's a question about how much you enjoy the simple pleasures of life (examples I remember are "reading a good book", "seeing a good movie" and "sitting in the sun") now, compared with when you were overweight.

It was sobering for me to realise that I enjoy those things far more now than I did when activities or socialising revolved around food.

I'm contacting the Registry today.

Hurray! Well done, KC!

I'm on it, and it is almost time for my annual update I think. Or overdue. Hm - must check that out.

Last time around, I decided it wasn't worth the hassle of maintaining my membership of the NWCR, so I didn't respond to any of their forms - and they contacted me three times.

My reasons for not renewing:

* I've always been a bit sceptical about the NWCR's methodology, for example, the continuing emphasis on low-fat food, even though low-fat diets have been discredited for years; their rather flaky definition of "success" (keeping off lost weight for one year); and the fact that they don't make figures on regain publicly available.

* The emphasis on packaged and processed food make it impossible for me to answer some questions, as I outlined upthread.

* The emphasis on "scale weight" discounts the more important issue of body composition. This is a problem for people, like myself, who are into weight training - and a lot of guys want to pack on 10-15 pounds (or more) of muscle. I know it's difficult to accurately measure body fat percentage at home, but a simple metric of waist measurement would indicate whether any regain is muscle or fat.

Anyhoo, I'm kinda over it.

Do you have to send in a photo when you apply to the registry? Deos it have to be a full body photo?

You need to send proof of your weight loss - either a declaration from your doctor or weight loss support group, such as Weight Watchers, or your "before and after" photos.

Thanks for the info. By the way I am curious about the registry but understand your reasons for dropping it. I stay away from packaged foods, eat low carb and do not count calories. I also eat high fat. I am surprised they are not realizing the benefits of a low carb life style.

That is wonderful that you have maintained a 90 pound weight loss since 2003. I have only maintained for 9 months.

I believe in exercise also..do it daily..also lift weights.

Have people stopped telling you that you are too thin or commenting that you have lost weight? Are you accepted at your weight by now?
Thanks.

It's interesting. I think the people I deal with have forgotten I ever used to be fat. You know how people get all self-conscious or mortified about some minor embarrassment and other people say "Don't worry about it - people are only interested in themselves"? It's true.

Thanks I hope that happens to me. People are still commenting on my change. I think I am going to get that book..50 ways to deal with stress.