Its been 2 yrs now, so i thought i would give an update. I did P1 for less than 3 months and dropped more than 35lbs. Happy to report that i have kept it off. I still think this diet is incredible for how fast and effective it is. I stuck to it very closely, the discipline is hard, but the diet is simple because there is very little to think about.
Since going into maintenance I have become a runner and try to run a few times a week, 3-4 miles is typical. I never thought i could be a runner and now i am running a lot. Its a lot easier to run when you drop weight. I eat well during the week but do what ever i want on weekends. Typically by Monday morning I am a few pounds over, but its off by friday. I really avoid sugar and carbs as much as possible during the week. my overall diet is high protein low carb.
I still weigh myself every day and obsess about the number. I can't help that. The fact that i am 1lb over right now totally drives me crazy. I still can't believe old pictures of myself when i see them.
Congratulations on your success and thanks for giving an update! There are a lot of questions on this board about whether it is possible to keep the weight off, and I would say you are definitely a success story!
Thanks so much for your update post, MDLoser, and congrats on your continued success! Mind letting us know whether you track during the week, e.g., on My Fitness Pal? If so, what kinds of macros do you strive for? I am slowly increasing my calories in maintenance and am eager to hear how others have done that and where they ended up, while still remaining at their goal weight.
its definitely possible to to do ideal protein and keep it off. It requires a major life style change or you gain it back. I eat and drink less, and eat and drink deferently. Exercise is also key.
Keeping weight off is harder than P1 because there is no end in sight. i thought P1 was easy because i saw fast weight loss so it was easy to stay focused. I knew i just had to stick with for a limited amount of time.
I tried my fitness pal for a little bit, but really don't see the need. i have learned what kind of foods cause me to gain and consider if it worth it. when you weigh in your self everyday, you learn what affects you weight. I just track my weight with an app, and eat very strict until i am back to 175.
i don't strive for specific calorie goals. I over do it on weekends, then run a deficit running the week until i weigh what i want.
I do think running has been a big key in keeping it off for me. I think it speeds up the metabolism and really tightens up the body in the stomach, butt and thighs. Lets face it, most of us do this to improve appearance, and running can make you go from a skinny look to a fit look. Let me be clear that i don't like running, but its a quick work out (under 30 min) and its effective. There is no fancy equipment or membership needed. i never thought i would run. I had a knee that would be sore from an old injury and thought i couldn't do it. Either my mind was making excuses, or dropping almost 40 pounds took the load of the knee and pain went away.
i don't think it possible to transition from P1 to more normal eating and not gain unless you incorporate exercise. And the end of the day its pretty simple to stay thin, you just have to eat well and exercise. I am kinda laughing as i type that because its so easy to say, but so hard to do. The challenge is discipline. Now that i look very fit, i don't want to go back, especially because i have an entire new wardrobe that isn't forgiving.
I just accept that i am a person that needs to make an effort to stay thin, my views on food have totally changed.
I eat a lot of quest bars as snacks. some time for breakfast. I also do the eas carb advantage shakes as a snack. I do eat a lot, especially on days i exercise, but avoid eating crap.
Thanks MDLoserfor your input. I am just starting back into maintenance after having lost a good deal of weight 3 years ago and now just finishing up a reboot to lose 50 that I had regained in the last year. It is a challenge to keep it off but learning to stay away from the triggers that cause us to get back into those old habits is important. I found that I need to stay away from pastas, bread etc AND sugar most of the time, being fairly strict during the week and then a little freer to eat what I want on the weekend did work for me as well and I plan on continuing that direction this time. I also agree that exercise is key to maintaining as well. I am not a runner, but walk everyday and even that helps! Congratulations on your continued success and good health!
Thank you again MD for your added input and also Lori.
I really appreciate hearing from people about what tools they are using.
I have only been maintaining for a few months, but the keys for me have been similar to what you describe, and yes, activity is really important for me on many levels, including just overall well being.
The discipline for me has been running the deficit after the water weight comes on. The body doesn't want to do it and I don't like having a hangry day. I'm having a hangry day today because 4 up pounds came on Monday at the start of TOM, and change in hormone meds, and extra calories over the weekend, but they're not going away, and I'm fluffier than I've been since I started P4.
But I'm looking at today like exercise, I don't always like getting started but tomorrow I'll be really happy I did, and I can't concentrate too much on the momentary displeasure of it.
Yes, I am finding P4 to require more discipline than P1, but I also feel much stronger in my body than P1 and really my whole life, and I have to keep remembering this body is one of my lots in life so to speak, it requires certain care, and some of it may be different than other people, but I really do want to remember to be grateful for my health, and the little extra focus I need in this area I'm sure would be a blessing to other people who have far worse problems.
Someone said to me once that we have to get use to, and accept the new "normal" and remember that each day is a clean slate and one day's slip-up doesn't mean we are losing the battle. I'm trying to learn how to use food as fuel not as a reward. I guess it will be a continual process!
2 yr Update
