This past month has been a trying one when it comes to staying on track with my weight loss. If you’ve been keeping up with my journal, I hit my goal weight of 140 pounds a few months back. 294 pounds to 140 = 154 pounds lost.
On to maintaining my weight…
They say that maintaining is just as hard as losing weight. As much as this is true, there is a mental mindset that changes when you maintain vs lose. When you lose weight, you step on the scale and have to find that lower number. If it’s not there, you get all worked up and begin analyzing your weeks food and exercise. Sometimes even becoming upset at yourself for not making your goals. Maintaining is different, at least for me. There is no line drawn number that you have when you maintain your weight. It’s better to set a scale. My goal was 140 pounds, and I’ve made a promise to myself that i’ll stay between 138-143 pounds. A 5 pound flux that I feel I should be able to stick within.
Funny thing is, when I hit my maintenance level, I continued to lose.
I survived Thanksgiving with a loss of 2 pounds. I visited my mom and 2 brothers in California for the special day. The temptations were there, but I stood my ground. I ate a few things I totally had to have such as dinner rolls (I’m totally a sucker for those heat and serve dinner rolls) but I passed up the pies. I felt proud of myself and figured my weight loss was because I stayed on track or under track.
This past week I was in Vegas for a convention. I stayed a WEEK in Vegas mind you. I was un-able to access my calorie logging tools, I was un-aware of the number of calories in my food, and I had no idea my running total at the end of the day. Talk about a head trip. When you are so used to logging every ounce of chicken, every 1/2 cup of milk, and even how many grams of broccoli you had for dinner, not doing so is difficult. It was quite a nerving week not knowing what I was putting in my body. I have been living this lifestyle for over 16 months and each one of those days I knew my calorie in calorie out numbers.
Buffets, steak dinners, and cheesecake. I had it all. I made myself hold true to my portions and ways for the first 5 days I was in Vegas, but the last day I eased up on my limits. That’s the day I endulged in the complimentary cheesecake that was served after I had my pre dinner bread, steak fillet and oil/garlic satayed asparagus. It was very satisfying even though it upset my stomach later.
Even though my pants didn’t feel tighter, I was hesitant about my weight. I kept telling myself “Okay, if I didn’t gain more than 5 pounds, when I get home I can get right back on track” When I got home and I stepped on the scale and it read 132.2 pounds. I had a moment where I signed with relief and another where I was vaguely concerned. Why when I eat more, I keep losing? Metabolism speeds up? The body is confused and is not processing and holding onto fat in the same way anymore? This will require research. Maybe because I wasn’t aware of what I was eating, I felt like I was eating more when in reality I wasn’t? I’m just glad I enjoyed the cheesecake.
This past week I’ve been trying to bring my weight up slightly. I had french fries from one of my favorite pizza joints, and a sandwich with provolone cheese (something I would have never previously done). Another night I enjoyed chinese food with white rice. Mexican on another occasion. But I’m eating like a normal person: Selections that won’t kill me, at portions my budget can afford. A treat like Ice Cream is okay every once in a while, but sitting down and eating a half gallon is not wise. I can live and maintain my weight, have occasional treats, and enjoy life.
My Thanksgiving and Vegas trip were a great experience because they taught me a lot about how to live this lifestyle. Such a new concept. Very heart warming knowing I can do this.
