HELP!!!
NOTE: Before you read this blog, I want to ask you for some help. I am currently writing a book on maintaining a healthy weight after weight-loss. I need to interview people who have maintained their weight-loss weight for a number of years. I am having problems finding such people because most dieters—up to 95%--gain back the pounds that they lose. If you have been successful in maintaining a healthy weight after reaching your diet goal or you know someone who is, please contact me through the comment section following this blog. Below is my struggle with yo-yo dieting. Hopefully, it will inspire you to avoid my mistakes.
If ever there was something that I learned the hard way, it’s that most everyone, myself included, gains back lost weight. I lost 170 pounds in 1997 and vowed that I would never, ever gain it back. I had assumed that I finally knew the secret to lifelong healthy weight. Ha! I’m just like the majority of the masses who lose weight, gain it back, lose it again, etc.
First I gained back 50 pounds. It was easy. I took on the mentality that I was “done” with all this dieting. I had reached my goal and now I was finished! This is the worse mindset for me or anybody else. You are never done with healthy eating and regular exercise. They must be part of a lifelong lifestyle. I knew this, but I forgot. I returned to my bad eating habits and the three C’s—cheesecake, chocolate and cheeseburgers (fast food ones, of course)—and I lessened exercise efforts. The 50 pounds didn’t magically return. I went out and brought them back!
I then came to my senses and dieted away these 50 pounds. They stayed off for almost three years because I did what I had to do—healthy eating and exercise. Then I lessened my good efforts again and I took on 75 pounds. Opps! But they all didn’t stay long. I got 40 off immediately by, you’re right, healthy eating and exercise. I stayed at 190 pounds for a very long time.
In 2005 medical problems put me into the hospital followed by months of recovery. I took this time to gain weight. It didn’t take long for me to gain back 103 of my 170-pound weight loss. Shame on me! I was obese again.
In March, 2006, I decided I was tired of yo-yoing (weight up, weight down, up, down, up…). With determination and commitment I have lost more than 70 pounds. With 30 pounds to go, I’m nearing my all-time adult low of 153 pounds. Luckily, I’ve learned—finally—that being slim feels a whole lot better than being overweight. I look good and I feel pretty. I’m just about where I should be and this time—you can bet on it—I’ll stay here.
Dieting isn’t fun. Why should any of us have to do this over and over again? Also, eating healthy is easy. There are so many good food choices out there and, in reality, you don’t have to deny yourself anything. Portion control is the answer. Have a cookie, but have just one once in a while. Have a McDonald’s cheeseburger, but get the kids’ size and eat only one once in a while. Have a fudge ice cream bar instead of a hot fudge sundae. Have a small package of baked potato chips instead of eating out of the large bag of regular potato chips. By making better choices and watching the number of calories you consume, you, like me, can lose weight AND KEEP IT OFF (this time)!
Comments
Wish I could help you Sandra, but I've only lost 10 of the 30 I gained when I was put back on prednisone for life. And though I look pretty good at 150 (about what I weighed when the meds started) I should weigh 130 or less. Maybe some day. We did get an eliptical which I am enjoying. Can't wait for your book!
Posted by: Carol Dudgeon | June 13, 2007 03:14 PM
Hi, Sandra! I bought your book in paperback last December, at a time when I was near "crossing the Rubicon" on weight gain. I am about 45 pounds overweight, and have gone back and forth for over three years. I decided that I would NOT gain weight at Christmas, but I knew that I would at least taste some goodies. So to my twice-a-week gym routine I added 30 minutes of treadmill every single day! It worked! Over the Christmas holidays I actually lost 2 pounds, and I enjoyed the holidays including tastes of the special foods and an occasional glass of wine. Next I went to visit my daughter for 3 weeks. I told her of my efforts and asked her to cook "healthy". She is a great cook and believes in healthy eating. So she did what I asked, and I lost 2 pounds while I was visiting her (we did go out to eat a couple of times, and even shared a creme brulee at one point). My biggest challenge has always been eating out, but it looks as though I have found ways to handle that. My key is enough exercise along with good food choices. Keep up the good work, you are an absolute inspiration to me and I know you will win!
Gratefully, Mary
Posted by: Mary | February 23, 2008 10:24 AM