Maintaining Weight Loss

Since I finished Weight Watchers last year, I've found my key motivator is staying in my new pants! I bought new clothes in a smaller size and last thing I want to do is go back to my fat clothes! As soon as my new clothes get snug, I know I've done something wrong and reevaluate.

For me, the big difference is exercise and shaking things up periodically. I've found the elliptical machine is super for maintaining weight and tone. A really good workout. I also love my Moms Into Fitness Boot Camp DVDs.

LOL Try not to get super depressed and eat all your emotions like I did.

Seriously tho you gotta come up with an eating AND exercise plan that is livable ya know? Part of my motivation was I felt great after a workout.

I have not quite lost all my baby weight yet. BUT I'm getting there slowly. I think the biggest thing for me has been RE-learning to eat normal/smaller portion sizes. I have been trying to just eat half of what's on my plate more slowly and then evaluating how full I feel and most of the time-I can stop there! I also try to keep almonds on me at all times and I've found the a handful here and there help me from becoming ravenous and eating too much at mealtimes. Also, my girlfriends and I signed up for an 8K and the training has really jump started my weight loss! I am going to try and enter more races throughout the spring/summer now that I've made it, and I know those races will keep me on a good running schedule that will help me reach my goal!

congrats on shifting the lbs. You've already got the tools on hand to loose weight. I don't know if this fits in with your regimen, but I hear if you make a point of first drinking a full glass of water and eating a piece of fruit before every meal and snack, it can help create a sense of fullness and maintain your weight. Get some exercise too, it just fels good.

I have to second the new WWs program! I have lost 30 pounds so far since the end of January! Fruit is free points now and keeping track and having to weigh in is so motivating. I was going to do it on line but think the meetings really help me. I am all about the star chart mentality and need my stickers and group support! I feel so encouraged after I leave a meeting and each pound off reminds me that nothing tastes as good as thin feels!

Teri,
I abhor being sick and not feeling well, so that is my biggest motivator. I teach exercise classes 5 days a week that include cardio and strength training. To supplement that, I also walk when the weather is cool and water ski and canoe when it is warm.
I also eat a plant based diet.
I am 56 and this work for me.
Hope this is helpful.
Victoria

I still have 5-10 to loose from my two pregnancies so I don't know if i'm one to talk. But I lost 17 lbs and got to a size 6 before babies and it took a lot of hard work and follow through (I counted calories and worked out 3x/week). I maintained that weight loss for a year (before getting prego). Due to a knee injury i stopped exercising and kept if off just the same. I did it because I had learned to be happy on a different level of fullness. counting calories taught me to be happier with less. I learned to feed my lean self, not my fat self. In a way, it was like I set a reboot button on my body when I learned to eat less. I no longer needed to measure, and weight my food. I could tell by looking at it and how I felt when my body had all it needed.

Well for starters, it's a life style change. As long as you continue to maintain a relatively healthy lifestyle, it's easy. Biggest motivator is my kids... I want them to grow up learning to be healthy so they don't have to figure it out on their own like I did. I didn't live healthy until probably the past 2 years... but these 2 years have been a breeze! The sooner it's learned, the better. I love taking family walks and swimming in the summer. In the winter it's really hard. I'll get on the treadmill once in a blue moon, not enough for it to REALLY help, LOL... I do Turbo Fire by Chalean Johnson, she's fantastic. Really hurts so good ;) For every 'bad' meal we eat (like serious comfort food- steak and cheese, anything fried, mac and cheese) we eat 2 'good' meals, just something lighter. We have a fruit or veggie at every meal. I'm huge on grazing... I eat like a bird, all day long. Just a few bites of something here and there. It's all about portion control and self discipline. The longer you live healthy, the easier it gets to stay on track!! Good luck :)

My "baby" was eight years old by the time I took off the 25 pounds I was holding onto from my two pregnancies....I did it through healthy eating and daily exercise....it was not easy, but I am so happy.....I have kept the weight off for just over a year now....my trick....I emptied my entire closet and donated EVERY "fat" clothing item.....went shopping and filled my closet with things that fit my new "tiny" self. Now I have no choice but to keep the weight off....snug fitting jeans on Monday after a weekend of maybe not making the healthiest of choices gets me back on the treadmill!! LOL!! Good Luck to you!!!

I have lost 75 pounds over the last 3 1/2 years because I have been slowly making a life style change to eating better and exercising daily. I also weigh myself daily which they say helps. I do Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred three times/week and walk briskly about 6 to 7 miles over the weekend. I am addicted to sugar but try to balance my addiction with better overall eating habits. This all takes time, obviously. But if I can do it, anyone can. Chasing my kid helps too...and so does the darn mirror!!!
You will struggle at times so don't let that discourage you. It's a lifelong journey. Good luck and take it slow.