In 1998 I started Atkins and lost about 35 lbs. in 4 months. Then, over the years, I gained back about 20 lbs. I still considered myself doing Atkins but I cheated some (mini Snickers), ate too many nuts and went to wild on LC ice cream, candy etc. Then, Feb. 06 I finally got back on track and I've lost 30-35 lbs.

Now I approaching maintenance and I'll need to stop the weight loss, which has been much slower this time than the last. I've not been a carb counter. I've been eating legal foods (meat, cheese and legal veggies) until I'm satisfied and no grains. I also have 1/2 of an Atkins bar everyday with breakfast with my coffee which I really enjoy. I like SF jello with SF whipped cream and SF International coffee/ chia latte or tea for an evening snack and I make an occasional LC dessert like cheesecake or peanut butter pie for special occasions. (I only use those for special occasions since I think I ate them too often during the gaining period. I've learned that calories do count too.) I'm also up to a 1 hr. walk or 30 mins. on the ski machine per day.

I think I will be able to carry on just like this for the rest of my life since the weight loss has been so slow. I just hope I can keep up the exercise routine. I still have to push myself to do it. I don't think I will ever add back grains or sugar. For me it is like playing with fire. Plus I've found out I feel so much better not eating sugar or flour. (That is motivation in itself.) So my plan to stop the weight loss is to just increase calories from adding cheese and nuts for snacks. (Can't add any more to meals since I'm completely satisfied already! I love this WOE!) I would say I could skip a day of exercise but that is scary for me to do because I'm afraid one day will turn into 2 and then a week and then a month. I know how I am!

Like many others have said on this board, MAINTANCE is the hardest part. First stopping weight loss and then not gaining. I've been doing these 2 things all my life.

I'm looking for inspiration from those of you who have had success on maintance. How have you done it?

Beth
205/157/150

Well, I've been at this a long time now. I've found that, for me, maintenance is a series of re-adjustments. I've given myself quite a bit of latitude in terms of a range and I've been at both ends of it. The lowest I was at was 108. That was NOT good for me. I actually feel (and look) better at between 111 and 115. The highest I've been is 118. At that point, the clothes don't fit quite right, but the skin "fits" better. LOL! At that point I also "feel" overweight. I have to remind myself that I started this journey just shy of 170.

The main thing I've noticed is that metabolism is a moving target. Age, hormones, stress ... they all play a role in how I seem to make use of what I eat. The lesson I've taken is "pay attention." That helps keep me where I want to be.

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Beth,
Maggie just about said it all............
Boy, that's the truth...... re-adjust and re-start
Yeah, and the target seems to keep getting harder to hit.
and to that I would add........ Don't get lazy. Getting lazy and allowing a little here and a little there has me back buying bigger pants. I'm trying hard to regain the old good habits that have been slip sliding away.

Maintenance is definitely the hardest part!!!

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

Beth, you've gone great! Congratulations on being ready for maintenance. I agree with Judy and Maggie's statements.

One of the issues we deal with in maintenance is that after a while we stop getting the positive feedback that helped motivate us to continue losing. Friends and loved ones get used to our new look, and even occasionally forget we were heavier--I swear that's happened to me! After a period of time, the compliments stop coming, we get used seeing ourselves in the mirror, used to buying smaller sizes. It's really important to internalize motivation, continue to give ourselves positive feedback, and keep vigilant. Big order! It will seem easy for a while, and then one day we realize it isn't.

Staying on track at its best requires making a hundred good decisions every day, forgiving yourself for any bad ones, and climbing right back in the saddle as soon as you possibly can without beating yourself up, or giving up.

Being in maintenance means we have the opportunity to discover why we were overweight and develop new life skills in response. Those skills will be tested over and over and over. It can be scary to face life without our drug of choice, but that is what maintenance calls us to do.

Best wishes for a long and happy maintenance

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Yes Judy! The getting lazy part has gotten me before. It is a challenge to continue to eat and exercize as I know I must in order to maintain the loss. I have found that when you first begin "dieting" and exercising, no one critisizes your efforts but they applaud them. Then, once you have lost the weight and you continue to follow this WOE and exercising to keep it off, you are then considered "obsessed". (My mom and inlaws make comments to that affect.) This lack of support from others and my own shaky will power has put me back into large pants too. I think I have to be "obsessed" or I will be right back where I started. Otherwise "lazy" creeps in. I'm going to have to keep visiting this board to continue to seek the support and encouragement I need. Thanks Maggie and BC for your supportive input.

Beth