Regulars here follow the conversation in the Tracking thread. However, I thought it might be useful to post my recent stats and thoughts in a thread on "maintenance" per se, since that's my ongoing concern right now.

I'd be interested in shared experiences from others in the same situation.

I posted "goal" the last week in March. Yippee. Since then, my weekly carb averages have been up and down--including a rather substantial high during an out-of-town trip, followed by about a week and a half of induction. I keep a record in Fitday (except for those few days!)

As of now, I'm still at goal (135), and believe I'm sneaking up on what my true maintenance level may be. It's possible I'm at a new "set point," if that theory has anything to it. If so, I'm fine with that.

Generally, I stay in the neighborhood of 30-35 carbs, plus 20-25 gms fiber, and approx. 1500 calories. I drink lots of water, and at least one cup of green tea each day. I enjoy drinking wine, mostly on weekends, and consider an occasional sugar-free chocolate (Russell Stover nuggets) my treat. I find that I go in and out of ketosis.

I exercise every day, and try to shoot for about 200 calories, according to the estimates at Fitday--only a ballpark, I'm sure. My workouts include indoor walking with Leslie Sansone, weight training (various videos), outdoor jogging, ice skating, and other aerobic activities (lotsa videos!).

I feel that I'm getting plenty of food that I like, and I'm established in the exercise habit. If I can just keep up the positive reinforcement, I can visualize continuing on my way with good cheer.

Perhaps at last I've found a lifestyle I can truly enjoy. I'll let you know a year from now.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

You've found a good place where everything is working well for you. Excellent!!! It sounds as though that regime fits the bill entirely!

Barb, the tracking thread started out as a place to report in on daily menus, nutrition totals, weight, etc. Posting those "dailies" can be a good way to stay focused or feel more accountability. But also, we tracked those mental and emotional issues that affect maintenance. Because knowing someone out there cares is another way to hold on to the rope and not drift off entirely. And, that kind of evolved into a thread where we chat a lot.

So I think a fresh thread on the management aspect is going to be helpful.

In my case, maintenance happens to be going better for me now. I'm at 134. 5, which is within the 3-lb range I chose for my goal weight. My activity is up and my food cravings are managed, and my diet is varied and healthy.

Alas, it is not always thus. I go in and out of the "awareness". Or, as we've started to refer to it: the switch is ON or OFF. You may see one of us asking Switch Fairy to help us flip the switch.

I've noticed that for the last two years, I've had trouble staying in the groove during the late fall and winter. It's subtle, but I went into a phase where I was sluggish and experienced a loss of will. Usually, I was still eating LC, but craving and eating too much of those legal foods that should be limited - nuts, sausage, etc. Also, I was just plain eating too much - too big portions at meals, constant snacking, etc.

But for now, the Switch is ON! Yeah, BABY!

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

I found the following on Johnny Bowden's website. His statements are so true.
Currently, I'm not as successful in my relationship as I have been previously. I'm 2 pounds abouve the above the 2 pound range that I allowed myself. 138 is goal, 140 is supposed to be the panic number and this morning I was 142. I need to stop cheating on my WOE marriage.

Barb, thanks for starting an accountability thread.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Judy, that's a great quote from Johnny Bowden. He only just recently came onto my radar screen, and I've been enjoying his encouraging essays on the process, or project, of weight management.

For me, a big hurdle is getting over the idea that "normal" is what everyone else gets to eat. I think I've finally achieved that. "Normal" for ME is whatever is required to achieve a desirable state of being.

Everyone in my immediate life has forgotten that I ever weighed close to 200 lbs. But I never do. I'm going to honor that "allowable range" because I know how tenuous it is. Atkins gives me a management technique that works the best of any I've tried.

Keeping the switch ON--definitely a challenge from day to day. But worth it.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

I kept losing (effortlessly) during my first few months of maintenance. I was down to 131 in late Septemeber of that year. As the calendar moved into fall/winter, I started gaining back a bit of weight and it's been a see-saw ever since. And, even when I was in my goal range, I was fighting tooth and nail to hold onto every half pound lost.

For the first time since fall of 2003, I'm losing weight without really trying. For much of the last 18-months, I've been at the top of my goal range or even 2 to 5 pounds over it. Not horrid, but not what I wanted, either.

A couple of months back, I went through a week-long "no sweets challenge" and that with followed by almost 2 weeks of induction.

That helped me re-discover some foods and techniques I used a lot during weight loss, but less so during weight maintenance. So, that was a big help in turning the habit/mental comfot zone back to a weight loss style. Apparently, 3 to 5 days of induction may not be enough to turn the switch ON for me.

Also, I've been so much more active since mid-March when I really got in gear to get my house ready to sell. I get up early, work at it most of the day and much of the evening. It adds up: lifting, packing, painting, gardening, scrubbing - up and down step stools constantly (I'm short). During the day, I only sit down to check the forums (LOL!), and a couple of news websites, or while I'm checking and updating my To Do lists.

So, I'll have to be on guard when my activity level subsides to something more normal.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

TB, when we moved three years ago, I lost weight too. That was before LC, so I managed to lose weight eating all the wrong things. This should tell me that if I increase my activity (read EXERCISE), I will get to the weight I really want: about 120-123. I have been between 126 and 130 for so long now. BUT at least I am not gaining! Have to be careful, though. I love my whipped cream. Hmm. Maybe we should MOVE!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135