9 replies to this topic

[MM130]

Anyone out there on maintenance? How hard is maintenance? Do you find it is harder or easier than weight watchers if you have been on weight watchers? I ask because it seems like doing the exchanges can be hard, but maybe it is easier than I think.

[onehotmama2be]

LOL - that's like asking "how hard is it to lose weight?"

Maintenance is as hard as you make it. For me, it's all about being mindful and thinking about balance. It's really not that different from successful weight loss - but with a little extra calories to play with every day.

What I do is PLAN: I decide when throughout the day I'm going to have my fruits, veggies, and milk. The meats/starches/fats are trickier. I know that a snack is usually a starch and a fat. I usually like a fat on my veggies - Smart Balance if it's a steamed veggie or salad dressing if it's a salad. Sometimes instead I use peanut butter with celery or apple slices. WIth the meats/starches/fats, that's where I usually eyeball it - I know what a serving size looks like.

During the week, I typically eat the same sorts of foods: I have about 2-3 breakfasts that I like to choose from. I have a few lunches I choose from - a sandwich, veggie sticks; sometimes a Lean Cuisine if I feel like something warm; sometimes a Jenny lunch if I've made it by the center; sometimes some leftover - measured carefully.

Dinner is whatever I make for the family: double portion of veggies for me; small portion of starch and protein.

I weigh myself frequently; don't freak out over a pound or two up or down; go back on straight Jenny food if my weight goes up 3 or more pounds.

I know when I do more weight training and less cardio, my weight goes up but I know it's good for me long term and the weight does eventually go down. When I'm on more of a weight training kick, I try to ignore the scale and go by how my clothes fit.

Hope that helps! Honestly, it's all about planning and being mindful. Don't think of weight loss and maintenance as two separate phases so much - just think about eating healthfully; but when you hit the point you want to maintain the weight, you just up the calories until you stop losing.

As for comparing it to Weight Watchers, I always ate more processed food on WW; I was so focused on points and gaming the system that I didn't pay as much attention to fruits and veg in their purest form - I was looking at bars (how many points is that?) and stuff like that. If JC works for you, then odds are exchanges will work for you as long as you don't get mired down in the math. Try to eat "clean" from the exchange lists as much as possible and when in doubt, envision one of those Jenny Craig black trays and ask yourself how much of that ____ would fit in a Jenny Craig tray if it was a Jenny Craig entree.

Again, hope that helps!

Sue

[reddyrawks]

Anyone out there on maintenance? How hard is maintenance? Do you find it is harder or easier than weight watchers if you have been on weight watchers? I ask because it seems like doing the exchanges can be hard, but maybe it is easier than I think.

I agree with Sue, it is all as hard or easy as you want it to be. Just remember what was on the Jenny menu and try to copy that...portion sizes, fruits and veggies, and just keep up the exercising. I have been on maintenance now for 4 months and I have been staying between 114 and 116. If I see myself hit 117, I pay closer attention to what I am putting in my body so I don't creep up anymore than that.

I still eat some Jenny food part time...mostly because I like it and it is convenient. I love the cheesecake, I have 30 of them in my freezer, I use those still for my daily snacking

[Blessed4Life2]

LOL - that's like asking "how hard is it to lose weight?"

Maintenance is as hard as you make it. For me, it's all about being mindful and thinking about balance. It's really not that different from successful weight loss - but with a little extra calories to play with every day.

What I do is PLAN: I decide when throughout the day I'm going to have my fruits, veggies, and milk. The meats/starches/fats are trickier. I know that a snack is usually a starch and a fat. I usually like a fat on my veggies - Smart Balance if it's a steamed veggie or salad dressing if it's a salad. Sometimes instead I use peanut butter with celery or apple slices. WIth the meats/starches/fats, that's where I usually eyeball it - I know what a serving size looks like.

During the week, I typically eat the same sorts of foods: I have about 2-3 breakfasts that I like to choose from. I have a few lunches I choose from - a sandwich, veggie sticks; sometimes a Lean Cuisine if I feel like something warm; sometimes a Jenny lunch if I've made it by the center; sometimes some leftover - measured carefully.

Dinner is whatever I make for the family: double portion of veggies for me; small portion of starch and protein.

I weigh myself frequently; don't freak out over a pound or two up or down; go back on straight Jenny food if my weight goes up 3 or more pounds.

I know when I do more weight training and less cardio, my weight goes up but I know it's good for me long term and the weight does eventually go down. When I'm on more of a weight training kick, I try to ignore the scale and go by how my clothes fit.

Hope that helps! Honestly, it's all about planning and being mindful. Don't think of weight loss and maintenance as two separate phases so much - just think about eating healthfully; but when you hit the point you want to maintain the weight, you just up the calories until you stop losing.

As for comparing it to Weight Watchers, I always ate more processed food on WW; I was so focused on points and gaming the system that I didn't pay as much attention to fruits and veg in their purest form - I was looking at bars (how many points is that?) and stuff like that. If JC works for you, then odds are exchanges will work for you as long as you don't get mired down in the math. Try to eat "clean" from the exchange lists as much as possible and when in doubt, envision one of those Jenny Craig black trays and ask yourself how much of that ____ would fit in a Jenny Craig tray if it was a Jenny Craig entree.

Again, hope that helps!

Sue

Words of a WINNER!!!! Thanks Sue....I love this

[JWinATL]

I'm still tweaking. While I am technically at goal, I am vascilating about a final number. My friends {ahem, Miss Susan} have talked me into staying at this weight for the short term to see how I settle in. Since I am having hand surgery in two weeks, I tend to agree with that plan until I am out of the cast I will have to wear for a month. Then, we'll see.

I am still eating a majority of Jenny food, but now I am throwing in MOMOs here and there. I haven't hit the right balance yet. I was able to do DOMOs easily back when I first lost this weight, but now I find it a bit harder. I think if I do MOMOs a number of times during the week, I will get it figure out about the time I want to make the final 15 pound push. My BMI is still too high for "normal" weight, so I do want to get a few more off.

Good luck!

LOVE, JILL

[mlsyogi]

Sue - great post, I found it very helpful. I've been maintaining for three months now and suddenly I find things very hard and I'm drifting back to my old habits. Any suggestions for when you feel you are losing momentum?

[Baby B Grandma]

Ditto lots of the above... I've been on maintenance for 18 months now and have fluctuated up and down 3-4 pounds. I wasn't really having a problem when I could exercise like I am used to but a knee injury has slowed that down quite a bit. Therefore, I am having a protein shake for breakfast and lunch with my fiber and fruit snacks in between. I eat a regular dinner trying to stick with chicken and veggies. I do much better during the week when I am at work than when I'm home or in the camper on weekends. So, on Mondays, I get right back on track!

[YonnieB]

Sue,

Thank you for your thoughtful insights. I am close to being on maintenance and I am excited but scared, too. Your reply and everyone else's really helps to remind me that it is all about using tools we have been using already and keeping that common sense. It is so lovely to hear from all of you who have successfully manuvered through maintenance!! You all have reassured me!

Also, to everyone who posted on this thread, other part of the Forum have somewhat disintigrated into negativity and I recognize so many of you and thank you for all your positive posts during my journey!! You have all really helped and while I don't often write, I do want you all to know how much help you have been with practical ideas and uplifting thoughts! Bless you!

[Blessed4Life2]

Suggestion: I think Sue (onehotmama2be) needs to start her own thread or even better, her own board about Maintenance

She has such wisdom, knowledge and hands on experience with maintenance.....and she gives such sound advice and practical teaching to help those who are maintaining. She KNOWS the real struggles we all have and has worked through them with great success.

Love ya Sue

[onehotmama2be]

Ooh, I’m so glad I took a break to peak in and read the boards today – you all really made my week – THANK YOU for your kind words! I am glad to hear I can pay it forward, as the experiences of others have helped me as well.

The timing for this post couldn’t be better here. I’m actually sidelined, physically, with a torn tendon and was told no exercise for about 6 weeks and no more running – EVER. That’s a major bummer for me; I hate being told what I can’t do (nothing makes me want to run more – LOL). Plus I'm on a bunch of painkillers, anti-inflamatories, and prednisone - YIKES. Now I’m going to have to pay more attention to what goes in my mouth since I can still do some weight training, but no cardio for awhile. Baby B Grandma – I feel your pain!

Misyogi, how do I maintain momentum? A couple of thoughts:

1. I keep my size 20 jeans on a shelf in my closet; I can see them every morning when I pull out something size 8 or 10 to wear. Sometimes when I’m feeling negative (like, this is so hard esp now that I can’t work out!) I will try them on and remember what it felt like to have them be so tight that I noticed red ridges at night when I took them off. I never ever want to feel that way again.
2. I really do give myself permission to enjoy food. But when I do, I eat like a skinny person: I taste everything; I finish nothing. I no longer have to be a member of the “clean plate club” like when I was growing up. That doesn’t mean I choose to waste food; but I respect my body enough to not treat like a garbage disposal. I don’t need to finish my daughter’s French fries because they are there or eat ALL of that restaurant meal while I’m at the restaurant. If it’s really good, I can save some for later. If not, I can just let it go. Chocolate, bread, wine, cheese, cake – none of them are being discontinued! I’ll have it again sometime.
3. I also recognize that it’s normal for weight to fluctuate. Right now I am about 3 pounds over my low (guess I should change my ticker – oh well). But I don’t plan to be here long because I know that I will reign in my eating more now that I know I can’t exercise as much. I have this threshold and I just won’t cross it without taking action. And I don’t want to change my ticker ☺.
4. I renew myself constantly. Every week, every day, every meal, every bite is a chance to start over, like Baby B’s Grandma does after her weekends when she allows herself a bit more wiggle-room. I have a husband and 3 young kids counting on me and some chronic health problems that are already strikes against me – I HAVE to control the things I can in my life, and my weight and heart health are the easiest, really. No one ever physically forces food into my mouth; it is within my power to decide what goes in my mouth regardless of what foods are around me.

I hope this helps; the bottom line is that with practice, it does get easier. Just like anything we do in life, forming good healthy habits takes planning, patience, repetition, positive feedback, forgiveness, and recognition. Success breeds success, though.


All my best,
Sue