Hi Everyone! It looks like the sticky is keeping this topic on top!  Thanks, Betty!  I'm still at my same plateau - want to lose at least 6 more lb, but with the holidays coming, I'll need to really work at it!  Hope you're all having a good week!

Patti

Hi all, how did everybody do on Thanksgiving?  Guess the gym will be packed for the next few days. I had low fat muffins for breakfast and only one plate of food for the main meal(cornish game hen).  Didn't really eat anything for supper.  Just two tangerines and a piece of sugar free cherry pie with some hot tea.  Hopefully, my metabolism will burn anything I ate today.   

When I used to belong to a gym we dreaded January and May.  The place would be packed with either New Years Resolution people or bathing suit season people.  But they wouldn't stick it out.

I indulged, I didn't over indulge.  Went to a buffet at a casino and mostly had snow crab legs, low in calories and fat and take a while to eat.

I did enjoy the desert selection though.  But hey, it's one day out of many.

Karen

I did pretty good too - I followed the program, exercised more, and then enjoyed myself but didn't over indulge...too much :)

I'll see how well I did in the morning. Still want to get that last 6-7 lb off, so time to get really committed.

Patti

 I ate more than I probably should have but..... I do know this is for life and I can on occassion eat more than my alotted 1200 calories and 39 fat grams.  I still used my nutrition log and from what I can figure I ate about 1700 calories and UGH 70 fat grams for the entire thanksgiving day. No TE's or any problems, and no weight gain either! Back on track with no problems and ready to get rid of the last 7 pounds.... Cant believe I only have 7 left..............

I am still far from my ultimate goal but I saw this thread and had to jump in because I am far more worried about maintenance then I am concerned with losing weight. I know I can lose weight because I have been doing it for months now but I am concerned with what this all will look like when I am done with losing weight; done with the motivating compliments regarding my weight loss; and done with the little blue pills. Cannot wait to read what everyone does to stay motivated and to balance food and life.

 Oooh PJ, you have some valid concerns.  I have hit my goal weight a few times, and then it's been a green light to eat.  I have gained back about seven pounds and am continuing to try to lose or at least maintain.  My resolve and interest have both slipped in the last few months.   It is not, and never has been, my intent to let this slip away.  I do pretty well some of the time, not so good some of the time, but never give up!

Judy 

I'm right there with you.... I've gained and lost the same 30 lb about 5+ times now.  It's such a good feeling and I have so much more energy when I'm not overweight, but somehow it kept coming back on.  But I decided this is the LAST TIME! I can't keep abusing my body this way.  My physical last January showed high cholesterol, low bone density, and overweight.  If I don't do it for me, no one else will! And this way, my husband eats healthier than he would have otherwise. 

We have to change our mindset and look for the really long term....right???

Patti

 I guess I'm luckier than most, I've been off Alli for several months and have lost a few more inches around my waist and gained about 4 pounds of muscle.  I eat healthier than I used to but I still eat to much sugar in my diet.  My mintenance consists of exercise about 3 times a week and eating more fruit and vegetables.  I don't snack between meals though.  Maybe thats one of the reason I stay basically the same weight.  My muscle gain is noticable.  I like that.  The wifey likes it too.  After losing over 80 pounds, my arms looked pretty puny.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to bulk up like a body builder, just want to get back some of the muscle I lost. I'm 57 and a little to old for that type of lifting.  Anyay, lets all keep posting here and pass on any good advice that we come across regarding staying fit. 

 Dave, I'd love to pass along some good advice, I wish I had some.  I'm still dealing with the five pounds I gained since my good annual physical report.  Sabotage is the name of the game we all know and don't love.  This week I've been watching my Ps and Qs, and fats and calories.  I hope I can keep it up.  Hang in there everybody, December and all it's temptations will soon be over.

Judy

 Ok How exactly do we do the maintenance portion?? We reach our goal then increase calories so we stop losing?? Exercise more or less?? I am confused , I have also gained and lost weight tons of times(never this much though) and I am so SCARED of gaining it back again. I know how to eat right and like exercising, Im just not sure how much and how oten I should eat, exercise... any help would be greatly appreciated!

 I exercise three times a week on average.  I do 30 minutes on a rowing machine, 30 minutes walking at a fast clip on a treadmill that I have at  the highest upward angle(15 degrees), and then I do various muscle toning and strength training on about 4 or 5 different weight machines.  All told, about 1 hour and 20 minutes.  This does it for me as far as maintaining.  I've only gained muscle and no fat.  I still watch portion control but eat a few not so healthy foods.  For the most part though, I still eat lots of fruit and vegetables.  I also buy low fat or fat free snacks when I want to take care of the sweet tooth that I unfortunately have.  I guess this whole thing is like a recovering alcoholic,  just have to take it one day at a time. 

Hi Maintenancers (okay, not a real word, but sounds good),

I want to let you know that no one at GSK has forgotten about you and neither have I. They have reached out to me and I have shared my ideas and yours with them. I have always promised to keep you posted and will continue to do so. Hopefully, we will have the best maintenance plan that you have ever seen in the near future :o)

Keep up the great work everyone,

Betty Kovacs, MS, RD

I got the "next stage" questionnaire at my check in.  In order to make up the calorie gap it has me running for 79 minutes a day!  That's an awful lot and isn't going to be happening.  I do work out about 60-90 minutes a day doing various things.

I guess maintenance is just a matter of portion control, exercise and keeping an eye on our weight to make sure it doesn't creep back up.

To allow for normal weight changes I'm allowing myself a range of 135-140.  Anything registering about 139.5 on my scale will be met with force.

Karen

Karen,

     Did I miss something?? Did you reach your goal weight???