Monday, May 9, 2011

Unintentional Maintenance

So I've mentioned a time or three that my weight has climbed a bit since January - stopping running/stress eating made for approximately a 10 pound gain (not exactly sure since I wasn't weighing myself very often - just going by how my clothes fit).  And while I'm still not back to running (insert every swear word here over my frustration with this), I have been able to let go of a lot of the stress I was feeling lately (my mom's no chemo news last week was icing on the cake - and yes, I recognize the irony of that idiom, lol).

I went to California with the intent of getting back on track with my eating - I figured it would be pretty easy, since I was very successful with that on my visit last year.  Barbara and her family eat a really healthy diet...I would just join in and perhaps lose a few of these extra pounds in the process.  Except that it was a time of celebration, and oh, how we (the royal) love to do that with food.  Cookies, pies, tarts, See's candies - I confess that I had more days of having treats than not.  Dang, they were good.  And I enjoyed every bite.  But I was reminded of why I try to not get started on the sugar/white flour train, because it seems to trigger a craving that I want to have something sweet every day.  And quite frankly, I'd like to be in control of this - I'd like to choose when to have a treat, instead of being hit by a craving and acting on it.  But, I was on vacation, and I didn't stress over this - I just knew that I'd have to face the music when I got home.  Guess what?  I did not gain any weight.  I was really shocked when I got on the scale.  And I realized that if I could eat that amount of empty, sugary calories and maintain my weight, well, imagine what might happen if I actually tried to cut back a bit?!?

I'm not saying this is easy, any of it.  Weight loss, weight maintenance.  It takes constant thought and vigilance to make any changes.  But I have to say that for me, I can make it happen.  It IS within my power (even though it seems to go in super slo-mo) to lose weight.  So why don't I work harder at this?  For crying out loud, it's not like I have to be all super-strict with my eating, obviously, considering all I ate over the last few weeks and maintained.  I'm not exactly frustrated, and overall I'm in a pretty happy place...I just want to take my food choices down a notch (just one - we have too much celebrating and entertaining in the next few weeks and I'm not going to miss out on that...life is too short, you know?)...I'll eat the dessert.  But maybe I'll just have one serving this time.  See?  That wouldn't be too bad, right?  And yes, I am talking to myself here.

20 comments:

  1. I love this as it is within our power and I, too, have noticed that when on vacation and I mindfully indulge and enjoy---it rarely ends up in my clothes fitting any differently.

    it's all a learning process huh?
    and I hope it never ends.
    I do love me some learning :)

    Miz.

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  2. You aren't talking to yourself, you are talking to your supporters, to those who "get it".
    That is so cool that you maintained, and by the looks and sounds of it you had a great time while doing it.
    Welcome home, my friend.

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  4. Yep - I get it. Totally. It's not really that hard. Sometimes that wee bit of extra... something... is missing at times.

    I wonder if those of us who are bigger losers have a better tolerance for a wider maintenance swing?

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  5. I totally get it and reading your post reminds me again why I love you so much and why your approach is so good to me.

    Life is too short indeed and when there's something to celebrate you should. I do that and you do that. I couldn't live saying no at every party to everything because I would gain weight. So what if I gain a bit after a party, I can watch my food the following or prior days to the event.

    That being said, I've got a busy month too and will be joining you in cutting back a bit in the food section on normal days and enjoy the special days.

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  6. It is hard to maintain that level of intention with food that leads to weight loss. I loss 100 then gain 20 back. I have maintained that weight for over a year, but I know I have it in me to loose the rest of my weight. Just like you do. We can do HARD things!

    Hugs and lots of luv! And belated Happy Mother's Day!

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  7. I needed to hear this too - I got on the scale and my two weeks of not-so-healthy-living resulted in a whopping 4 lb gain. I think it helps me reinforce the idea that it's not about the number on the scale, it's about how I feel. If I feel like I'm making bad choices, then I don't like how I feel. If I feel like I'm making the small changes to be healthier, then I don't really care what the scale says - I like how I feel.

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  8. I was just reading/looking over your blog. What an amazing job you've done. I hope to get there soon. Think positive! You've got this. :)

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  9. I can't help but think that even though you weren't thrilled with your choices, you had to have felt relieved to not see a gain. And now that you've thought this all out and you've realized that probably only small, small changes are needed to move the notch on your belt, I hope you realize you can do it!

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  10. You are right....it' snot easy...but it is SOOOOOO worth it!

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  11. Even Atkins says one shouldn't stay in Induction forever. Time to bring it back to a Lifetime of eating and choices! One little bite at a time!

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  12. I loved your post Shelley! My sister who has recently reached lifetime WW status has some good advice from her meetings (I think it was her leader that said it), "if you wait until you're at goal to eat (insert favorite food or treat) you won't be at goal very long". That being said I think we just need to find a way to eat our sweets and treats and favorite "bad foods" in moderation and smaller amounts, so that we can still maintain or lose the weight. Other times that I have lost weight I didn't do that and have failed miserably. I deprive myself all the foods I love until the weight is gone, then I eat them like crazy until the weight is back. Good stuff isn't it? So, I'm with you I'm going to have the occasional treat and still be successful because I'm not okay doing without forever!

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  13. Woo Hoo. Yay for the maintenance while you were gone!!! And the ongoing strength to carry on and maintain your amazing loss for the rest of your life. You are an inspiration Shelley!!

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  14. Why does summer have so many celebrations? LOL But it's good. These are the good times in life. It's the time between the celebrations that we need to be mindful. I'll just keep telling myself that.

    Congratulations on not gaining. That's a big "plus."

    And Happy Mother's Day a little late. :)

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  15. That's great that you maintained! I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "it takes constant thought and vigilance to make any changes".

    Have a great week Shelley and happy belated momma's day!

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  16. You've gotten some great advice here. I always remember that I didn't get fat at celebration dinners; I got fat in my own kitchen for the most part. Enjoy the treats with family and friends. It's what you do the other 99% of your time that makes the difference.

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  17. How great that you were able to maintain on your trip. I think that is a victory. I agree that if I give in too much to carbs that I seem to be at the mercy of the cravings. I much prefer to be in charge of them. You are such a great example!

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  18. I love this post. I too struggle to get off the sugar train once onboard, but once I do, I let out a big sigh of relief to let go of the cravings & I put my eating back on track. :)

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  19. It is so frustrating, isn't it? And I believe that stressing about weight causes us to NOT lose weight. Lightening up can be a good thing, but it is difficult.

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  20. Excelent post Shelley!. When you said "I enjoyed every bite"... no guilty, no overwhelming about it!
    Thing is, when I am out of control, I am not able to enjoy any bite .... Besides.. how many celebrations I have lost in my life with the excuse of a diet.. I regret that!
    good luck!

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