Maintenance Frustration

[sadie147]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

Joy do you find going back to induction/rung1/2 works for you when you gain?

[ValidRouge]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

Yes, it does. However, I also can't eat processed meats, dairy or grains at all. I can gain a very large amount of weight (probably water) very quickly if I eat those things. So, my rung 1 is very very strict (only fresh/frozen meats and vegetables, olive oil and animal fats and some mayonnaise) I may have to cut the mayo....

It absolutely curbs my cravings though, and I become very calm and peaceful and craving free. As soon as I start adding one of those food groups back in, it's very apparent in my mood and on the scale.

It is one of my biggest frustrations in maintenance. I thought I would be able to eat a HUGE variety of natural, healthy carbohydrates in maintenance. That my food choices would be broader. They are not. Sometimes my thoughts turn to "its not fair" or "I deserve <insert food here>" That's just self defeating. I certainly can have those foods, and the resulting weight gain and feelings and cravings. I have to turn my thinking around and convince myself that I choose not to eat those things.

[sadie147]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

That's interesting, I have found that I am the opposite. I've gone back to induction more times than i can count and it does nothing for me Though I've yet to find what it is, food wise, that will restart my weight loss. I've definately determined it's NOT induction or induction level carbs, dropping down rungs, or high fat.

My problem is overcoming my fear of carbs. Right now I'm eating 50% fat, 30% protein, 20% carbs (all good whole grain/fruit/veggie carbs), which is a huge step for me. Not sure how it will go. My protein i will keep steady, I will play around with the other ratios depending on what way my weight goes (if anywhere!)

I also don't do well with processed meats, i think it's the salt.

sorry that your' having such a hard time Like you, my maintenance is not at all what I thought it would be. Though I can have more food groups, i thought i would have known by now how to get rid of a few lbs if i gained them...just drop down to induction. I've been working on this 10 lbs (it's likely it may be more than that) for over 2 years now. it's very frustrating!

[mitzimarie]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

It is one of my biggest frustrations in maintenance. I thought I would be able to eat a HUGE variety of natural, healthy carbohydrates in maintenance. That my food choices would be broader. They are not. Sometimes my thoughts turn to "its not fair" or "I deserve <insert food here>" That's just self defeating. I certainly can have those foods, and the resulting weight gain and feelings and cravings. I have to turn my thinking around and convince myself that I choose not to eat those things.

I'm right there with you, sister! I still eat mainly from rung 1, plus one ounce of almonds on the days that I eat MUP (pumpkin). Every once in a while, I will indulge in a few days of dairy (cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, or greek yogurt), and I ALWAYS gain weight. I will pop a few berries every once in a while, and that's about it over rung 1.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

Jen, it takes hard work for me to stay under 180 lbs. Maybe there is a "set point" for our bodies. I don't know.....

Mitzi, yeah, but I'd rather be skinny than have that stuff. How about you?? hah

[mitzimarie]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

Mitzi, yeah, but I'd rather be skinny than have that stuff. How about you?? hah

YES!

It's hard as h*ll sometimes, though.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

Reading about your struggles, Joy, Jen and Mitzi, it really hits home how different we all are in the way we assimilate/lose weight/maintain weight. I'm with you all, that maintenance isn't quite what I expected... but far better to be a bit stringent than to be fat again!

I'm hanging in there still... a pound or two higher than I'd like, but still around my goal weight. Have had more trouble this year reducing the Christmas/New Year extra few lbs, but I think it's because of the stress of my new job.

I keep mostly between 40 and 50 g carbs a day. I exercise half an hour a day five days a week and walk the dogs for a minimum of 30 mins very brisk walk.
If I want to lose, I have to hovver around 35-45 g carbs per day and (most important) drop the wine completely. That's my real weakness. I just love my glass of red in the evenings (ok... sometimes two glasses!).
Apart from the wine (which I would expect to be a prob), I don't notice issues with any particular food category, for which I'm heartily grateful.

I do worry that someday, suddenly, it's going to become more problematical to maintain...but will cross that bridge when/if (fingers crossed) I come to it.

Keep strong everyone... and keep experimenting.

[sadie147]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

Sal I'm like you and very greatful that none of the food groups have really been a problem for me! The only one I have to watch is nuts, and that's only because of portion control...I enjoy certain nuts no problem, like pecans, raw almonds or walnuts as I do'nt tend to over eat them..but keep me away from roasted salted peanuts, cashews or almonds!

so my experiment so far has been successful. I've kept it around 75-100 g's of carbs a day, and i've even had a couple of higher days . I've kept my running at 2-4 miles 3/4 days a week. I AM watching calories at this point too, just because the carbs are higher, but finding they've been consistent with what they usually are, 15/1600 a day.

My ratios are around 45-50% fat, 30% protein, 20-25% carbs. And I'm also eating 5/6 smaller meals a day...trying to aim at eating every 3 hours. I have to go on course for a week in May at the office, And i'm already stressing about how i'm going to be able to eat so often LOL.

I weighed yesterday, and I'm down 4lbs from last week (so now oficially up 11lbs). As exited as I am I don't expect that rate of loss to keep up, even if it stalls at this point I'm ok with that too..at least this gives me hope that it actually CAN come off.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

Wow Jen! 4lbs is terrific! Really pleased for you.

[mitzimarie]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

4 pounds?!

That is fantastic for 1 week! Good for you, girl.

[knicknack]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

Hi everyone! Just stopping by to check in. I'm completely off the diet at the moment - i got pneumonia and I lost a whole lotta weight with no help at all! (heh). Anyway, I'm trying to figure out now how I can just start eating more maintenance style from the getgo without induction. This thread is interesting. I'd actually like to stay the same weight that I am now but get rid of the fat - I can't exercise though. Stupid pneumonia. So, we'll see I guess.

Anyway, good to see everyone!

[Elizellen]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

Hi nicknack Sorry to hear about the pneumonia but glad to hear you are over it now.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

Sorry to hear about your pneumonia. That must've been really rough. Give it a little while and you'll be able to start exercising again... just start gently and increase gradually.

[sadie147]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

how's everyone doing? been along time since we've checked in.

I'm still holding at mid 130's. still 8-10 lbs over goal, but down 5 pounds for a couple of months from my highest maintenance weight tof 140.

Added more fruits, complex carbs/whole grains, and lowered the fats a bit seems to have helped, as well as exercise, though i haven't been perfect on that. it seems 30% protein, 40% fat and 30% carbs is a good goal ratio to me....i'm also concentrating on calories a it more as it seems they can add up fast...keeping the fats down and carbs up a bit help this.

Summer has been tough, we've been away at the cottage alot this year, too many happy hour drinks and bbq's have made it difficult...but i've managed to maintain so far. I'd still love to lose 5-10 lbs ..but I'm thinking if i can at least maintain and not gain while on vacation.. that's also a good thing! Still have 2 more weeks of vacation in August to contend with..though not alot of company at the cottage so i won't have to cook big bbq meals, burgers and crap as much. I'm also hoping to get back to my regular running routine, which has suffered as well...a record rainy summer hasn't helped!

How has everyone else been doing?

[sallyseachange]

Re: Maintenance Frustration

You're right... it's been a while since we checked in here.

Sadie... I think it's splendid that you manage to maintain on your holidays. Vacations can be really hard and, once you get on that downward spiral, often ruinous.

You'll drop those few extra lbs after the summer, no doubt.

As for me, I'm still maintaining, but am not too pleased with the way I'm maintaining.
Basically my "one glass of wine each evening" has turned into "wine with meals and another glass after dinner". The way I maintain, given this increase in wine, is to drop foods a little. I just don't think it's very healthy to drop healthy foods in favour of alcohol.
Wine has always been my danger drink. Anyway, I'm resolved to get back to "one glass only" as soon as the mid-summer work rush is over (another couple of weeks). Right now, it's soooo busy and stressful that I find the relaxation the wine gives me at the end of the day, to be irresistable. Grrrrrrr!