Advice needed for staying the course long term

[kjel]

I've been a big fan of this forum and have read alot and do not post much. I've been a big yoyo dieter all my life and have lost and gained 50+ lbs several times in the last 10+ years. I'm looking to end that cycle.

I don't usually talk to anyone about my struggles and keep to myself. I've hit my goal of 140lbs but now have gained 13lbs in 4 months. It was a struggle for me to stay at 140lbs. I feel that when I get down to a healthy weight, than I relax my eating habits. My personal goal is 125lbs but I have never been able to hit that.

I have no problems exercising and can be consistent with it but the problem is the eating. My question for those that have been on this WOE is How do you keep yourself motivated to do this for years on end? I'm hoping some of your suggestions will click with me and I eventually will hit my personal goal and stay there.

[Elizellen]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

Congratulations on those pounds lost and commiserations on the recent extra 13 pounds

Have you had your body fat measured properly? The reason I ask is that many lowcarbers find they lose more fat on this way of eating than they would on a lowcal diet, and end up carrying more weight then they did at a previous low dress size because they have lost fat and increased muscle, which takes up less room than the same weight of fat.

We have at least one member here who found that although she was still 10's of pounds off her presumed weight she was actually underweight according to her measured body fat!

[not2late]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

Some folks keep a photo of themselves at start weight to remind them of what they were and don't want to be again.

Some folks keep a list of accomplishments (running in a 5K, climbing a mountain, etc.)they have been able to do while getting healthier

I kept my favorite outfit from my pre-Atkins days. Whenever I would feel like I was getting nowhere, I would slip them on. It's hard to feel like you're not losing "anything" when you can fit your entire body into 1 pant leg of your previously favorite outfit that made you look slim.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

>>How do you keep yourself motivated to do this for years on end? I>>

Atkins is simply how I eat.

[kjel]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

Elizellen - Have checked my monthly body measurements but will start checking bodyfat. Presumably using calipers is the best method.

Not2late - I would look at my old photo and say " I still have room to eat and enjoy a little since I'm far off from that 50+lb weight gain."
I understand remembering where I've been but what would keep me motivated to keep 10lbs off?

Atkinsgal08 - You've never been tempted to eat a slice of cake? What do you say to yourself to get past that?

My thinking is that maybe you ladies have been able to change your relationship with food and it's working for you. I still focus on food for every occasion and have not been able to break that no matter how much I've lost.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

>>You've never been tempted to eat a slice of cake?>>

Well, most cake isn't as good as it looks.

>>What do you say to yourself to get past that?>>

"No, thank you."

>>I still focus on food for every occasion and have not been able to break that no matter how much I've lost.>>

That's the inner housework that has to happen if you want long term success.

Fortunately, very early on, I realized that even though I loved chocolate, it didn't love me back.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

I did my atkins with a different mindset then most. I was a project under deconstruction and I ran from my 313 pound former self all the way to goal. I used the possibility of allow that 313 pounder to reenter my body as my motivation to get there and stay there.

if you have a pic of yourself at your heavies and at your lightest make copies and keep them handy tehn ask yourself any time you are tempted to mess up who do you want in charge of your eating the big heavier you or the smaller healtheir you?

[not2late]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

Not2late - I would look at my old photo and say " I still have room to eat and enjoy a little since I'm far off from that 50+lb weight gain."
I understand remembering where I've been but what would keep me motivated to keep 10lbs off?

Why do you think you are unworthy of remaining at a normal weight for the rest of your life?

Why would you want to risk becoming fat again after all the hard work you put into your weight loss?


Don't get me wrong: I enjoy my food, but I don't enjoy it more than my health and welfare. I love me more than I love a glass of wine or a serving of mashed potatoes or a piece of cake.

[liv]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

Are you not enjoying where you are at foodwise? Having just reached goal I am far from an expert like these other ladies but I know that I am very happy with my food choices. I do not go around and think that I need to eat off plan to make myself happy. I love what I can have now. Have you explored adding new things to your menu? Trying out things you did not do before? Making things like cakes and goodies (with legal ingredients) for special occasions.

[kjel]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

Why do you think you are unworthy of remaining at a normal weight for the rest of your life?

Why would you want to risk becoming fat again after all the hard work you put into your weight loss?


Don't get me wrong: I enjoy my food, but I don't enjoy it more than my health and welfare. I love me more than I love a glass of wine or a serving of mashed potatoes or a piece of cake.

I guess it's because I had never had health problems even at my heaviest. I'm sure now at my age I would or eventually will have health problems if I was that weight. I don't think I will ever get to that weight again but I'm struggling with 10-15lbs on and off again.

I think I'm realizing that if I just pause and think about my choices each and every time and not live in the moment...I will get there. I guess I'm wondering if it will ever get a little easier?

[kjel]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

Are you not enjoying where you are at foodwise? Having just reached goal I am far from an expert like these other ladies but I know that I am very happy with my food choices. I do not go around and think that I need to eat off plan to make myself happy. I love what I can have now. Have you explored adding new things to your menu? Trying out things you did not do before? Making things like cakes and goodies (with legal ingredients) for special occasions.

I have no problems when I'm at home..just when I'm out. Than one bad choice leads to another. I can't hide and never go out. I did that for a year to get most of the weight down. But that is no way to live for the rest of my life.

BTW, my profession would be interesting. I work for a flour mill.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

>>I have no problems when I'm at home..just when I'm out.>>

Have you figured out why you make the first bad choice?

[kjel]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

>>I have no problems when I'm at home..just when I'm out.>>

Have you figured out why you make the first bad choice?

Maybe can't get past that mentality that I maybe missing out and I will never get to taste that food again if I pass it up? I know my relationship with food is out of whack..I just haven't figured out how to fix it.

[liv]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

It is not always easy
Are you talking about restaurant meals or treats/snacks while having drinks coffee? Maybe there is some strategy you can use? If the thought of never having it scares you (and I can understand that) tell yourself that you can have it - either just a tiny bite of it now or you can save up for a larger portion at some point. Atkins can work like that if that works better for you.

[kjel]

Re: Advice needed for staying the coarse long term

Restaurant food is more my problem. I'm actually heading to Vegas tomorrow for 3 days so I'm really scared of going off plan. I know that I can make wise choices anywhere I eat but I'm more afraid of making the bad choice. I have stopped and started Atkins more times than I can count in the last 3 months.

Like I said I don't usually ask advice from anyone. So maybe just posting this and talking it through will help keep me thinking about staying on track. Heck...if it works, I will be posting more often for support.