Going from Losing to Maintaining

[kah1213 311]

(Almost 15 months out) I'm almost at goal and it scares the heck out if me. We all know how to lose, but what about maintenance? In the past, I hit a goal on a fad diet, then immediately Celebrate with food. A vicious cycle. Now with the band, I'm learning what works, and I'm so used to being in the losing phase. What changes? Did you need to bounce around until you found a truly happy weight that you could maintain? I've seen some posters say the lost TOO much and had to gain a little. Losing weight and understanding my fickle band has been my life for the last year. I cannot even imagine what would happen a goal. But I WILL get there and we'll see what happens! Any advice is always appreciated.

[lellow 1,713]

I won't lie, I found maintenance difficult in that I personally found it hard to break the habit of wanting to lose, and being in the green zone, for me, meant virtually no hunger.. I am one of those posters who have often said I lost too much (not my opnion but in the opinions of others, including my doctor) and had to work to gain a little or risk being unfilled.

Even now, being in maintenance at a perfectly healthy BMI of 24 and a BFP of 19%, I still have days where I think "I reckon I could stand lose another 20lbs" even though I've been 20lbs less than I am now and even then, I kept thinking "just a few more lbs". It's easy to get caught in the idea that weight loss in the only goal, instead of a means to an end (a healthy weight).

Everyone said 'let your body decide' but for me, it didn't work like that. If I left it to the band and my mind, I wouldn't eat, and my body would starve. My head had come to believe that weight loss was always good (even when it wasn't) and my band helped it by taking hunger away. Those two things in combination is not a good thing, So now I consciously decide on the weight I want to maintain at and work to stay on or about that weight, and also leave myself a little unrestricted in order to allow myself to feel hunger. I expect that for most people, that happens more organically though.

[kah1213 311]

I won't lie' date=' I found maintenance difficult in that I personally found it hard to break the habit of wanting to lose, and being in the green zone, for me, meant virtually no hunger.. I am one of those posters who have often said I lost too much (not my opnion but in the opinions of others, including my doctor) and had to work to gain a little or risk being unfilled.

Even now, being in maintenance at a perfectly healthy BMI of 24 and a BFP of 19%, I still have days where I think "I reckon I could stand lose another 20lbs" even though I've been 20lbs less than I am now and even then, I kept thinking "just a few more lbs". It's easy to get caught in the idea that weight loss in the only goal, instead of a means to an end (a healthy weight).

Everyone said 'let your body decide' but for me, it didn't work like that. If I left it to the band and my mind, I wouldn't eat, and my body would starve. My head had come to believe that weight loss was always good (even when it wasn't) and my band helped it by taking hunger away. Those two things in combination is not a good thing, So now I consciously decide on the weight I want to maintain at and work to stay on or about that weight, and also leave myself a little unrestricted in order to allow myself to feel hunger. I expect that for most people, that happens more organically though.[/quote']

Thanks for your insight! Very helpful!

[♕ajtexas♕ 3,771]

I agree with lellow. Maintaining is not easy. For me I didn't change anything. I still eat 1200 calories a day, etc.

I have struggled at times, gained some and had to focus on loosing again. Plus for me it is hard to rap my head around the fact that I am at my goal. My head is my biggest obstacle.

Congrats on reaching your goal. And welcome to the next chapter of your journey, you will do great.

[kll724 3,055]

I totally agree with lellow! Maintaining is hard! I gained but am now stable and doctor is happy, I am not! But I can't get a fill because I can't tolerate anything more than what I have, so it's diet or not lose for me!

I guess I have to except size 10 not 8! Oh well, at least its not where i was before lapband! :ph34r:

[kah1213 311]

I wish you would all tell me it's easier. Lol. I guess it really is a life long commitment!