Maintenance/Lifetime WW members

[Anna Low]

I hope it's ok to start a little WW spin-off thread for those of us who are doing WW maintenance or are lifetime members. Or for any really who wants to offer tips/strategy for keeping on plan. For me personally, it is challenging to stay motivated and to not fall back into my old over-indulgence traps. I don't necessarily want to lose any more, but I definitely don't want to gain any back!

[Hello Kitty]

I started a thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26702) on maintenance a long time ago, but no one wanted to join. :(

Maintenace is hard - it's harder than losing, IMO. There aren't many support groups for maintenance, the 'wow you look great' comments stop, you stop weiging in, and voila, you lose that awareness that leads to gains. If I've learned anything, I've found out that I have to keep weighing in, and stay accountable to the scale, unfortunately for the rest of my life.

[Anna Low]

I would have joined!

You are so right about how hard it is. I find myself completely losing track of portions and just "forgetting" to count things.

What have you found, other than the weigh ins, that has been helpful?

[Sol]

Great thread! I'm a lifetime member but I've just gained almost 10 lbs back, and if I gain 0.5 more I will be over my goal (will have to pay). I can't believe I've managed to put on all this weight, but at the same time I feel I don't want to go back to WW until I managed to lose a few, so it's a vicious circle.

[Anna Low]

Hang in there Sol.

I had a less than stellar moment yesterday. I went to a retirement reception on a different floor and naturally, they had cake. Had my traditional "corner" piece, the one with the extra frosting! Once in a while is ok, right?

[Sol]

I seem to have misplaced my WW membership cards (the weigh-in cards, the lifetime card and everything). Does anyone know if I can still go weigh in (i.e. do they keep a file of me or something?) July is ending and I truly can't find them.

[Sol]

Well, I found my card in the bottom of a purse, so today I went back. I gained 6 lbs since the beginning of June, although thankfully I'm still under goal. Still, it sucks, and I can't wait to be back on track.

[Hello Kitty]

I hear ya Sol (meant to post earlier this week but got sidetracked)

I'm at best 5 lbs above my goal, and probably should try for 7. It sucks. I just got a road bike, and while I'm totally enjoying it, I'm also frustrated because I'm so.damn.hungry all the time. It doesn't help that we have no food in our house, so not only am I actually hungry, I feel hungry. And not sure why but I'm retaining a ton of water, and that doesn't help things at all.

One thing that helps tremendously is planning - I plan my menu and grocery list to death from all my meals to snacks. It's exhausting, but when I do it, I know exactly what to eat when and am really successful maintaining.

[Anna Low]

I am having some serious motivation issues. It appears, based on my scale, that I have gained about 5lbs. I haven't been eating fantastically, but I also haven't been eating crap. So, I have to get myself in gear.

Hello Kitty, you mention planning. I need to do that, but am not a creative soul. Can you share what some of your typical meals and snacks are?

[Scoutesina]

Ooh, can I join? I lost 35 pounds (coming up on my 1-year anniversary of reaching my goal weight), got injured last Christmas, and have slowly gained about 3 pounds back since getting off crutches in March. Not the end of the world, I know, I just am afraid of creeping back.

For me maintaining is not so much what I eat but how much. I did a gradual cutting-back on calories to get used to smaller portions (rather than any sort of diet)...and now it seems my portions have started gradually getting bigger and it's taking more to fill me up. I remember at my lowest weight, I couldn't eat an entire Panera bagel without feeling ill, and now I can, so I think that's a bad sign. :o

So this week I've started measuring again. Three quarters of a cup of spoon size shredded wheat instead of a brimming bowlfull...25 grapes instead of a big bunch, etc. We had a delicious chocolate cake at work yesterday and I had some (I refuse to live without cake) but made myself save half of my piece for the next day. A couple years ago I would've snarked that piece then taken another for dessert later on.

Also key for me is exercise, and I've been pretty good about keeping that up even with my injury. I'm not supposed to put weight on my hip, so I'm alternating between stationary bike, a water aerobics class twice a week, and occasional exercise tapes that only work arms or abs.

ETA - Hello Kitty, I just clicked on your earlier thread. Sorry I missed it back then! I just wanted to say I don't agree with that person on the other board who said you should always be in a state of trying to get stronger, better, etc. It's kind of like when companies want to keep growing and growing forever. We are human and have limitations, and I for one am glad to get to a place where I'm not always dissatisfied and wanting to be 'better.' I just want to stay basically where I am!

[Anna Low]

I'm considering making a switch over to Core. Don't really want to lose weight - just getting very sick of counting points and measuring all of my food. Any thoughts on the Core vs. Flex program?

[Bastille]

Hello -

I am in WW and recently reached my 10% goal and am about 6 lbs away from my "final goal". How does one determine what that "final" goal is? Also does one make this final goal a bit higher to reach lifetime faster and not have to pay anymore? I've heard you need to reach goal and maintain for 6 weeks to achieve lifetime but what if you are still losing?

Thanks for any replies.

[jajacobsen]

I'll join. I'd like a thread for WW maintenace support. I used to post occassionally on the regular WW thread but I always felt sorta weird doing so.

To answer the question on how to set a "goal weight" I'll sorts of share my thought process. I lost 28 lbs on WW, which put me at 125. That was 5 lbs up from my "secret desire, will look fabulous no matter what I am wearing, wedding day weight" of 120, but was really achievable and I look and feel good there. I maintained this weight for 6 weeks during "maintenance"

However, for my official "GOAL" weight as I entered Lifetime I declared 130. At 130, I still look great (I'm an athletic 5'5") and I felt this weight would actually help me continue to attend monthly meetings because one of my experiences with WW (I've done the program twice) is that if I were over goal, I would skip. And continue to eat badly. The biggest motivator for me to stay on track is to keep going to meetings. And I needed to not be "afraid" of what that scale would say.

That said, I have not shot up to 130. I made lifetime on May 2, 2007 and my weigh ins have all been 120 (I have some surgery and lost weight)-124. I weigh in late this week an dit will probably be 124-125. No big deal.

No I have fluctuated up to 127 in the intervening days between monthly weigh-ins. But I like having to go once a month and the week before my weigh in I am very focused on the diet and getting back to around 125.

I don't weigh portions or count points. However, I do think I have an automatic "calorie counter" in my head. I literally, within 15% can guess the calories in most common foods. DH didn't believe this so tests me on it. I tell him it's from years of always trying to lose that last 5 lbs! So what I do is if my clothes feel tighter/or the scale says I have moved up, I increase my cardio and reduce my calories intake for a few days or week to rectify the situation. If I never let it get more than 3-4 lbs out of hand, it is no big deal.

That said, I am 41 and hypothyroid, so I have a slow metabolism. I work out EVERY DAY as it is, so I do have to really increase the cardio to lose.

The biggest thing to maintaining for me is to realize that I just can't eat the same as 90% of the people out there. I certainly can't eat like my 6'4" contractor husband, and I shouldn't eat like most of the people in my office because truthfully, most of them are overweight. It sounds terrible bit it is true. If I want to be slim and healthy when most of America isn't I just have to make different choices from most people. Of course I never say that to anyone.

I really try to focus on the food pyramid. It sounds boring, and it is, but I love the way I feel at a lower weight so it is worth it. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. I do eat starches too, but watch my total calories.

Wearing "chunky girl" clothes was also boring and now I actually look forward to the change of seasons and wearing clothes again. What a relief! What a joy!

I keep my lifetime weigh in book and the one I used when I was losing the weight in my purse, and sometimes I pull them out to review my progress. I find that keeps me motivated, as it took me 9 months to lose the weight and I don't want to lose al that I gained in exchange.

[jajacobsen]

I just had my month end weigh in and I thought I would be up but I wasn't. I was really motivated for this past week though! LOL!

Any others?

[Hello Kitty]

Yeah, actually, thanks to some stress :o I've lost a couple of pounds in the last month. I'm still working out and eating, but I'm just not looking for snacks and stuff anymore. Just not on my mind. It's kind of nice.

[jajacobsen]

Ahhh yes, the stress diet. Kinda like the post-surgery diet I experienced in June. Not necessarily the best thing, but you can certainly tell that I have had a lifelong struggle with my weight by the fact that I always think of any weight loss for any reason (in regards to myself) as a GOOD thing.

[Anna Low]

I am the exact opposite when it comes to stress. No weight loss, as it becomes critical for me to cram just about any kind of junk food available in my mouth!

Lost a pound or so for the September weigh-in and am pretty sure I will have gained it right back for October.

[jajacobsen]

Well I have hit a bump in the road. I have injured my foot - it looks like it is a torn ligament - so no walking or running of any kind AND steroids as treatment! As in hunger-stimulating steriods. AAAccck! I can see the first two weeks of this month being a diet disaster and the last two being a points counting frenzy. No fun!

Anna - yay on the 1 lb loss! Take any victory you can!

[Bastille]

J -

Thank you so much for your thoughts/feedback on goal weight. I am about 4 pounds away from goal weight (155) and have lost 22 pounds in 5 months. That being said now I think I might want to lose some more. I am 5'9" and have lost this weight without doing an exercise program. In the past I have not been disciplined and am quite shocked this is working. For me I wanted to get the food situation under control and the thought of adding exercise was "too" much of a change. I must admit there is still a part of me waiting to "wake" up and be my old weight. A leader said that the body changes first and then the mind to incorporate the weight loss in your self image. Any thoughts on that? She also said that once you have lost some of the weight the "fire" goes out to motivate the weight loss. I think about that and change my clothing to tighter clothes as opposed to wearing the clothes that have become bigger and letting me think I can "cheat".

I am really happy with WW and have become almost OCD in tracking my daily points in the journal. I also have the point calculator in my purse. At the last meeting a leader told me that I could keep 155 as my goal and still continue to lose. As long as I didn't go above 155 in 6 weeks I would be lifetime. So I plan to do that. I feel really good and am finally reconnecting with my body after having gained weight in the last 4 years as a result of 5 miscarriages and depression; finally my body is doing something "right". I love the feeling of not being uncomfortable in my clothes, getting compliments and surprising others who probably didn't think I could do it. The biggest supporter is ME. I love this whole process because I feel I am in control in contrast to the miscarriages. I cater weddings/special events and have lots of temptations but I tell everyone I am on WW to be accountable and eat a bag of popcorn on my way to the events. Honestly I don't know where I would be without the popcorn. I love my 10% key!!

Go WW!!

[Anna Low]

Somebody slap me. I have spent the past two days eating like I will never see food again. Yesterday was baaaad. Really bad. Today isn't much better. I know that realistically I haven't gained 50 pounds in 2 days, but it sure feels like I have.

jajacobson, I will think low point thoughts for you. Hope your foot gets better soon.

[Hello Kitty]

SLAP! AF on her way? Usually I get incredibly hungry the week before. Just take it in stride and make sure you drink tons of water.

Bastille (are you from WC? I think I remember your wedding dress :D) way to go. I bet adding exercise now will really jump start you.

I'm 'glad' in a way that I'm losing weight, but having an ED history, I'm really scared. I need to start eating soon b/c I think I'm losing a lot of muscle running around all day on adrenaline. I'm just not hungry. Nothing sounds good, I don't really want to eat and intellectually, I can't make myself eat. Sucks.

[jajacobsen]

Thanks. Unfortately, I got bck from the orthopedic surgeon today and it is a fracture. No running/walking/impact for 6-8 weeks. Boo. On the upside, since we now know teh problemis not muscular, cycling on my stationery bike is fine, and I am now off the hunger inducing steriods. Yayyy!

Anna - I knw what yo u mean. I only ate a lot for like 3 days but I feel so huge. Probably part of it is steroid bloat but aaaagggghhh!

[jajacobsen]

SLAP! AF on her way? Usually I get incredibly hungry the week before. Just take it in stride and make sure you drink tons of water.

Bastille (are you from WC? I think I remember your wedding dress :D) way to go. I bet adding exercise now will really jump start you.

I'm 'glad' in a way that I'm losing weight, but having an ED history, I'm really scared. I need to start eating soon b/c I think I'm losing a lot of muscle running around all day on adrenaline. I'm just not hungry. Nothing sounds good, I don't really want to eat and intellectually, I can't make myself eat. Sucks.

I also have an ED history and when I go through a period liek you describe, I do sorta worry. But I try to use teh self-disclipline of that I know have from my ED period to make myself stick to a reasonable eating schedule. Liek I will have a protien shake for lunch, etc. You've healed that warped picture in your head so hopefully you'll be stronger about seeing yourself as you TRULY are, now.

Bastille - I set my goal at a reasonable level but I did lose soem more during aintenance. No harm in that in that it dossn't push your goal unreasonably low.

[Anna Low]

Sadly, it is nowhere near that time and unfortunately for the general public that surrounds me, I only get extraordinarily cranky. Everyone wishes I got hungry!

Thanks for the slap. I think it helped tremendously. And weirdly, I also think that just articulating that I was inhaling anything edible in my path was good for me. I was better yesterday and have been much better today. In fact, hubby and I went to the gym this morning and have plans to get ourselves in better shape by the holidays. So, I feel good about that and plan to go to Wednesday weigh-in, no matter what.

jajacobson, sorry about your foot, but its great that you can at least do the bike. And, don't have to take the steroids!

Bastille, I also set my goal higher than what I wanted and am currently about 8lbs below that. Just so long as you maintain a healthy weight and don't go too far below, it should be fine. And, I loved your comment about popcorn. How true that is!!!!!!!!!!

[Anna Low]

Well, its Friday and I'm pleased to report it has been a darned good week. I have been very careful with my food choices and have not been tempted by the bag of chips in my house (DH's - to go with his spinach dip!). Even more, I have been to the gym 3 days this week. 2 miles on the treadmill each time, and afterwards, working arms, legs and abs. I'm rather proud of myself!

How has everyone else's week been? Anything exciting going on this weekend?

[Hello Kitty]

Well we settled all our housing issues so I have an appetite again.

I've totally sucked at working out though. I've got to get in gear with that. I've even been taking the dog to the dog park instead of taking her on walks. :o DH is gaining weight, but not in the right way, so we're committed to working out together again. Or at the least, keeping the other motivated to do their workouts.

It's bad timing of course, because it's winter. I'm not sure if I can swing a gym membership, but at the very least, there will be a park district a block from my house, so maybe I can take some classes. But hopefully I can workout inside and maybe gain some muscle back. I'm at a fairly low weight, but my clothes still fit the same, which means I'm not losing it the right way.

[Anna Low]

What about one of those exercise dvd's that have a balance ball or the elastic bands? I have several of those that I have been known to break out on a Saturday morning. And I definitely understand about being a low weight and not in shape. My personal description of myself is "thin and lumpy".

*high fiving* myself. We have a huge bowl of Rollo candy here in the office and I have not had one. Go me.

[Hello Kitty]

Oh that's what's so weird. I have all the workout equipment - weights, cardio videos, bike, legs ;) I've just been kind of lazy lately. Workouts are usually the least of my problems!

[Anna Low]

Well, the holidays are fast approaching and I'm trying to stay motivated to make sure I don't fall completely off the wagon. DH and I have been going to the gym like crazy and although I have been pretty good with my eating habits, I still don't see much of a difference. That old "muscle weighs more than fat" is very true with me and gym visits tend to push the scale numbers up very quickly, even though I'm still eating properly. That is both annoying and discouraging.

[Bastille]

Well ladies - I finally hit lifetime last Friday and I am now 5 lbs below my "goal" which I had raised by 3 lbs to hit lifetime sooner. So I am -2 from what I originally set as my goal. Is that confusing? Anyway I am still thinking I want to lose some more as long as it is still coming off right? I am 8lbs heavier than I was on my wedding day (Yes Hello Kitty that is me on WC) but that weight was really low for me due to stress - but why not? I am really still loving WW and feel so much better when I don't overeat. I finally bought my first new pair of pants/jeans and was shocked how good I looked in them. I am also shocked how expensive clothes are. I want to try and look less frumpy with my too large clothes but my pocketbook won't allow me to buy much new - any suggestions?

[jajacobsen]

I'm doing well. I went up a few lbs after Thanksgiving but have lost them due to being mindful of what I eat and upping my exercise. I don't have to weigh in again until Dec 31. I'm hoping to be riht where I was last month. A few Lbs down from my official "goal" but still on track for me. I give myself leeway from my official goal but I try to maintain about 5-6 lbs lighter. That way, even if I do gain a few lbs, I'll still be "on goal" and not have to pay. I was worried I would backlside and allow myself to gain up tha goal weight but I'm workign really hard to stay close to "my" goal which is 5 lbs less. So far, since May, so good.

Clothing is difficult. While my weight was fluctuating (I lost 30 lbs) I bought from the George line at Walmart. Those clothes are pretty classic and while they might not last forever, they will serve the purpose. I still wear quite a few pieces from there and get compliments all the time. I have to waer suits and dress professionally, so I have to be careful.

When buying less expensive items I stick to less trendy, very classic cuts. I also buy sweaters and skirts from Chadwicks. Like black, strait leg trousers, black velveteen blazer, jewel colored turtlenecks, etc. Now that I feel more comfortable with my size, I look for sales at Spiegel and Ann Taylor Loft.

[Hello Kitty]

If it doesn't weird you out, try a thrift store. It can be hit or miss, but I've had great luck.

I'm getting back in the swing of things - we moved, and I finally have the time to do some meal planning and have gotten a lot better about working out (at least have started with walking). I lost 3 lbs when we moved, not sure if it's a scale difference or what, so I guess I'm kind of starting fresh. I need to take my measurements.

[jajacobsen]

vent - The worst part of the holidays is all the "treats" and "leftover goodies" brought into the office. I work in a very small office. There is no hiding from this stuff. Everyone complains about their weight here but everyone brings stuff in. Some of the women bake goodies just to bring in. And then complain about their weight.

They ask me how I lost the weight. I tell them WW. And I tell them it's not magic; I had to avoid temptation, exercise a LOT, and make better food choices. Go figure.

Vent over.

Very proud of myself as I have indulged with no treats. Two slices of chicken veggie pizza for me tonight! (It's a lower fat version).

[Bastille]

HELP! I am "new" to Maintenance and have gone off the wagon a bit. I think I have gained about 3 lbs and have stopped tracking as I was so diligently doing before. I have also not gone to a meeting for 3 weeks.... I guess this all part of the process as I realize unfortunately that losing and reaching maintainence doesn't mean the weight will then stay off forever. I know this probably sounds stupid but I am just being honest about my thought process. I TRULY think part of the problem is also the "big" clothes that I am still wearing which make me think I can "eat". I have decided to buy smaller clothes to make me feel the tightness of the clothes again. I still think of myself as a large and am shocked to buy things in medium and tops sometimes in small (I am pear shaped). I have gone to thrift shops to reduce the cost. I am just "tired" of the process of WW----must say that I am still conscious of eating and would probably have gained more as I still monitor a bit of what I am eating but I agree the holidays and goodies are sometimes overpowering and hard to resist - especially as I am not "officially" trying to lose weight. Just wondered how others are doing.

[Hello Kitty]

YES - go buy clothes that fit - thrift stores are awesome.

And weigh yourself everyday! In the winter it's hard for me - I don't want to strip all down and get cold :p but I make a point to at least every other day. I'm not crazy about it, and I recognize my monthly fluctuations, but I have to do it to maintain accountability and touch base with myself.

Holidays are so hard - even as someone who doesn't celebrate them, I kind of have this urge to make/eat all of the meals and desserts. And plus I know nearly everyone is imbibing and gaining weight, so it's okay if I do too, you know? :rolleyes: What I've been trying to do more is control the meals I can control and not worry about the ones when I am out.

Oh, and I found the 3 lbs that I 'lost' - it was due to a flooring change. Hey, at least I maintained while we were eating pure garbage!

[ladyco4]

I reached my goal 7 weeks ago, so now I'm a lifetime member! So far I haven't had too much trouble maintaining my weight. In my case it is a little easier because DD and DH are still on the program. I go to the meetings with DD and we track together. There weren't that many goodies at work this year either, so that made it alot easier too. Almost all of my co workers know that I am on WW and they tell me that I look great but then they start pushing their treats and it makes it hard to say no.

Ruth

[Sol]

I have a question: if I go back to WW meetings after a year-long break but I still happen to be below my goal weight, do I have to pay? Now, this might be just wishful thinking (since I'm pregnant), but I'd really like to know how it works.

[Bastille]

OK just need a place to vent - I am in the "honeymoon is over" phase of weight watchers. I am just sick of counting points. I just so wish that since I lost the 30 lbs it would just stay off without "maintenance". I have stopped counting points and just have the munchies all the time. I recently started a medication that increases appetite for carbs so that doesn't help. Just wondering how others have dealt with this.

Is it easier to just go to the weight that is easily maintained or struggle to be thin? I have gained about 6 pounds but am now just at the my WW "goal" weight which I set artificially high so that I would be able to stop paying. Now I think I want to perhaps go lower by about 13 pounds which adds to all my frustration. I feel like a rebellious child when it comes to counting my calories and just wanting to binge. Does anyone else have this problem? Also I got rid of my fat clothes and last month was in Hong Kong and had 2 suits tailor made - if I keep eating and rebelling I won't be able to fit into anything. The whole points thing is getting old. Wow I am really rebelling.....

[jajacobsen]

Bastilee - I feel everything you wrote. I am torn between my ideal weight - a healthy 118-1225 and my easy weight - an also healthy 126-130. The upper range is so much easier to maintain. But I love the way I look/feel when I am at the lower weight. Except I have to be sooo vigilant and that gets very, very old at times. It's really hard to always be watching what one eats and also making teh time/focus to get my workouts in. Then I start teh whole deprived/munchie/making bad choices thing and it spirals from there. Fortunately, through WW, I have learned how to catch it before I leave teh upper range, but AAArrrgggh!

The ONLY way I can keep excited about maintaining my lower range is to constantly focus on fashion/clothes or start another major landscaping project - LOL!

Like you, I set my "goal" a little high at 130 - which is truthfully a good weight for me (within the philosophy/goals of WW) of being a healthy weight but not model thin.

I don't knwo the answer but I do empathise.

[Bastille]

Well in 2 months of not following WW and not counting points I am up 8 pounds from my previous loss of 30!! Of course the leader said 2 lbs of it were because I was wearing jeans which I normally don't wear to weigh-ins... but still!! So I was 1.6 above my WW goal weight, 4.6 above my own "true" goal weight and +8 from the lowest I was.

I think it was important for me to go to weigh in today and recommit to tracking. The bottom line is that there is NO magic and I guess I had to learn that just because I lost the weight ONCE doesn't mean it will magically stay off forever...it just sucks but it is how it is

[jajacobsen]

Bastille - hope things are going well for you and you are able to get back on track. I seem to be doing okay. I'm back down to 123, largely due to havign the flu. Not really the way one wants to lose weight but i had no appetite and I did take vitamins. My official goal weight is 130, but my personal goal weight in 125, and if I stay at or below that I seem to feel pretty good about myself.

I did my monthly weigh in today. That does help to refocus me and keep me on track. beach vacay is in 3 weks so hopefully I can stay ON TRACK.

[Bastille]

So I have been lazy and not tracking and went above my goal +2 pound weight limit so I have been avoiding going to weigh in. I am determined to go back this Saturday but it will be 6-7 weeks since my last weigh in - I am hoping to be back within goal +2 but will they charge me for the extra 2 weeks over the monthly weigh in time? Not sure how all this works with lifetime membership.

By the way, I have been now doing this on/off for over 1 year. I think it is has become part of my lifestyle although I don't follow the tracking as religiously as before; I feel guilty when I know I am overeating. I just need to pull up my bootstraps and get back on the program because I do feel healthier when I follow the program and it is true that nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.

[jajacobsen]

Bastille, they will charge you for missing a weigh in. The cost will vary. Here it is $12. Still, always good to go back and weigh in, and get back on track.

I am doing well. I am really active this time of year with gardening projects, and am very busy doing a lot of walking and running.

[Bastille]

Thanks for the info - I guess I will have to pay, at this point I hope that I will be able to remain lifetime and be under goal +2. Do you know what happens when a lifetimer exceeds goal +2?

[jajacobsen]

You just have to pay. But you have to pay anyway, so it would be teh same amount. As a lifer, you just pay until you get back to goal.