Thoughts on Maintenance

I read a lot on here the general idea of maintenance being so much more difficult than weight loss.  I don't think that it is, and in fact upon reflection feel that the weight loss phase took far more mindfulness and perseverance in my humble opinion.  In weight loss, I had to deal with recovering from the surgery and the huge threat of failure and the possibility of failing at the process.  After all, I had been on a million diets and failed at them all.  I had to stick to the phases early out.  Sure, my appetite was gone- but not the head hunger.  During the first two weeks I was all out obsessive on my focus on the process.  As the first few months passed by I would beat myself up for a transgression, worry incessantly early out that my larger sleeve would result in not making goal given all of the negativity on the boards on the subject, and felt that my having to eat carbs would surly doom me to failure as that was the overarching sentiment of the popular approach on the board.  It got easier though.  By three months I started listening to what my needs were, stopped beating myself up if I made a mistake, learned how to get back on the wagon, and finally accepted my sleeve size as being what it was.  I realized that I did not have to be absolutely perfect, just very consistent.  That is when I truly started to find the process easier and more effective for me.  During weight loss I listened carefully to what was recommended from the docs, NUTs, support groups, etc. and followed the recommendations  I had decided prior to surgery that I was about to do something drastic, and my way wasn't working- so time to work with the professionals on it.  And it worked beautifully.  Looking back on the weight loss phase I still consider it to be easy overall- never before have I lost that much weight in that span of time, or been able to maintain the weight loss mode for the duration needed to get the job done.  Sure, it took work- but it was not a make one mistake and you are out type of process.  Just don't BS yourself, and if it isn't working adjust.  Simple enough. 

In comparison, maintaining thus far is  a walk in the park.  I had a little reservation in the beginnings of the transition, and the old self-doubt of managing it given again all of the negativity I see on the board.  But, in no time at all I was able to let go of that and haven't looked back since.  Thing is, I trust myself now.  All of what I was so mindful of in weight loss still serves me well.  I know what I need to do and how to do it.  I have in place a fatty rule so if my weight creeps up, I do something about it.  I know what to do if that time comes and I am confident that it will work.  Sure, I have had a few periods where I put on some weight, but the processes I have in place kick in and work beautifully.  The last hold out for me is the emotional eating, especially related to when cancer creeps back into my life or when a prescription mucks with hormone levels or steroids or what have you.  But you know what?  It really isn't all that hard.  I only need to maintain- not lose.  I don't have to constantly run the numbers mentally to ensure I have enough of a caloric deficit.  The foods that I like to eat are easily managed into a day.  A higher calorie day easily offset by a couple days of being a bit more mindful.  

Thing is, it just isn't a struggle if you practice mindfulness in your diet.  Take the time when you eat to savor delicious healthy food, to notice how you feel when you eat crap or too much of a good thing, etc.   What you do in weight loss is still natural in maintenance.  In weight loss, I knew filling my house with junk food would not work and I know that is still the case for example.  

I am not that far out to be so bold to say that maintenance will always be this easy for me.  I know better.  Life happens.  Good habits can slowly erode and bad habits slowly creep in.  I get that, I do.  But if you read on the boards all of the negativity about how hard maintenance is, I don't personally feel like it is a helpful thing for those of you still working the weight loss mode.  Work your weight loss mode, enjoy how it improves your health, and know that maintenance is entirely doable.  

This is such a positive process overall with far and away the gains offsetting the small occasional setbacks- don't lose sight of that.  Peace. 

I have recently started maintenance, and actually am still losing a bit as I increase my  calories.  What I believe has helped me is not relying too much on my restriction.  I  certainly do have one and it certainly does limit my intake, but I started right off thinking about the nutrients I was getting every day. I have always had a target for protein, carbs, fluid etc that I have tried to meet every day.  Now that I am  in maintenance mode I have gotten advice from my nut on how many calories, prot and carbs I should have at this stage and have planned my eating to meet those goals.  The truth is the restriction may not always do the trick, my hunger may come roaring back.  I have to have the basis of good nutrition for the long haul, the behavioral changes need to be a forever thing.

Anne

Great point- I am far more focused on nutrition compared to preop.  I still have a daily protein and fiber goal, and manage carbs.  I do not have a hard and fast caloric goal, but average around 1600.  The "basis of good nutrition" has been my goal throughout!  

I agree. I am one year out and down to 115 lbs at 5 feet 3 inches. I have been in maintenance mode for 2 months. I still log food and weigh daily.

Congrats!  And it is really good you maintain those habits.  I was very careful at first as well, then slowly started playing with logging a little less and weighing a lot less.  For the most part, I no longer track or weigh unless I am back in weight loss mode for a bit, or feel my food choices slipping even if the overall caloric goal is still ok.  

I haven't had my surgery yet but I think about these things already.  I know I am going to have to spend a good bit of time with the behavioral therapist that is part of the program I am in.  If necessary I will seek therapy outside the program.  I have compulsive eating problems to deal with.  It doesn't help that I work in a large kitchen.  Best wishes to you as you continue maintenance.

I am a strong believer that you can work your plan in any situation- you just have to make a plan on how to work your plan :)  It is good you are starting on the head work now- that is the hardest part in my opinion!

Instead of focusing my mind on the things I can't have, I focus on nutrition.  It helps me realize the good things I am doing for myself.

Anne

Absolutely!!!!!!!

I'm so glad to hear this. It's on my mind as it edges ever closer. And, I have never been successful at it (well, to be true, I have never been successful at reaching my goal weight which is the bigger problem). So, I am so glad to hear that it is just more of the same sort of attention you have been paying along your journey. Sounds like the secret is to keep on keeping on but perhaps being a little more proactive in your adjustments?

Laurie