November/December weight management challenge

[Dannielle]

Here is a link to the story from NPR:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011...at-and-biology

Maintenance is really a challenge! Goldfinch you're not alone

Thank you for posting this article! It's very validating for me to read that it's normal to not be able to eat as many calories as everyone thinks I can after having lost a large amount of weight. Being tall (5'11") the assumption is that I should be able to eat around 2000 calories a day since I'm active. The reality is that I maintain with 1300-1400 per day (a little more if I ride long) so I have to be careful despite the expectation that I should lighten up now that I'm not working to lose.

[ny biker]

Thank you for posting this article! It's very validating for me to read that it's normal to not be able to eat as many calories as everyone thinks I can after having lost a large amount of weight. Being tall (5'11") the assumption is that I should be able to eat around 2000 calories a day since I'm active. The reality is that I maintain with 1300-1400 per day (a little more if I ride long) so I have to be careful despite the expectation that I should lighten up now that I'm not working to lose.

I think almost all adults who are trying to maintain a healthy weight/lifestyle need to keep track of and limit the amount of food they eat, even if they have never gained and then lost excess weight. Some might do it more casually, rather than weighing and measuring, and they might be able to get away with treats more often, but they're still doing it. And then there are people like the always-thin guy in my office who doesn't gain weight easily, but has to watch his diet due to hereditary health issues (high blood pressure in his case).

And btw, congratulations on losing 200 lbs. That's a huge achievement.

[maillotpois]

And btw, congratulations on losing 200 lbs. That's a huge achievement.

+1 - that is so impressive.

[Dannielle]

+1 - that is so impressive.

Thank you!

[Catrin]

Back down to 136.6 today, I will take it!

Granted, as I am spending all day at the hospital with my family I am not exercising nor eating properly but am trying my best to have a good breakfast and to keep healthy snacks with me - and starting the day with a brisk 30 minute walk. NOT the level of exercisemy body is used to but things will get back to normal next week.

Danielle - congratulations on your 200 lb loss, amazing! It was hard enough for me to lose 60 pounds, 200 is a great acccomplishment! IMO, and your post bears it out, the real battle in the struggle in weight loss is mental. There has to be the intention and then the will to carry it out.

[goldfinch]

I think almost all adults who are trying to maintain a healthy weight/lifestyle need to keep track of and limit the amount of food they eat, even if they have never gained and then lost excess weight. Some might do it more casually, rather than weighing and measuring, and they might be able to get away with treats more often, but they're still doing it. And then there are people like the always-thin guy in my office who doesn't gain weight easily, but has to watch his diet due to hereditary health issues (high blood pressure in his case).

And btw, congratulations on losing 200 lbs. That's a huge achievement.

I think it is substantially different for the obese and formerly obese than for those who are not. I think one difference is the huge drive to eat that the formerly obese have. Our bodies and their brains say feed me right now. Resistance is far more demanding than simply watching what you eat. It is driving yourself to exercise more than others may have to exercise. It is being obsessed with what you eat. It is catching yourself immediately if weight goes up the least little bit because once it starts up significantly odds are it will not stop. For many if not most it is living with not eating what your body says is enough for the rest of your life.

"The greater the weight loss, the greater the hunger and, sooner or later for most dieters, a primal hunger trumps the conscious desire to be thin.”

"Obesity is not a personal failing. In trying to lose weight, the obese are fighting a difficult battle. It is a battle against biology, a battle that only the intrepid take on and one in which only a few prevail.” Jeffrey Friedman, A War on Obesity, Not the Obese. [Science. 2003] – PubMed – NCBI.

Years ago I was pregnant and my hormones went out of whack. I couldn't eat a thing as I would just throw it up. I threw up many times a day for a couple of months. I dramatically lost weight. I had to be fed intervenously. When I recovered I was hungry. I was hungry for years. I was never, ever full. And I gained weight. I know the power of hormones.

[carlotta]

I'd like in again, I definitely slacked the last couple weeks (family in town, then friends, etc....) but the good news is numbers haven't gone up, so it's time to get back on the wagon (bike? )

I'll weigh on Friday, but goal is 170.

[ny biker]

Just realized I haven't stated my goal. It remains 140 lbs. I started at 143 this morning.

[Susan Otcenas]

I'm in again as well. Will weigh Friday for a starting weight.

My last 3 WW weigh-ins have all been down. Just a wee bit each week (0.5 to 1 lb.), but down nonetheless. After spending most of September just bouncing around, this is encouraging.

I think I too will refrain from stating a weight goal this time.

[Giulianna23]

1 less pound than last week..thats good...so I started this morning @ 205.5lbs... and my goal is 195lbs by the end of the year...

[Dannielle]

I think almost all adults who are trying to maintain a healthy weight/lifestyle need to keep track of and limit the amount of food they eat, even if they have never gained and then lost excess weight. Some might do it more casually, rather than weighing and measuring, and they might be able to get away with treats more often, but they're still doing it. And then there are people like the always-thin guy in my office who doesn't gain weight easily, but has to watch his diet due to hereditary health issues (high blood pressure in his case).

And btw, congratulations on losing 200 lbs. That's a huge achievement.

No disrespect intended at all toward those who have not had to battle obesity. I agree that it's work (both mental and physical) for all who aspire to live a healthy lifestyle.

I think it's a different struggle to some degree, but not necessarily a more difficult struggle...just different. And of course, ask 10 people which mountain is the highest and they'll always tell you it's the one they have to climb.

I can't tell you how many people have asked me to give an example of what I eat in a day as they'd like to lose 10-30lbs. When I tell them their eyes instantly glaze over. It's such a huge departure from what is considered "normal" by American standards that it seems like too much effort to be worth it for 10-30lbs. But from where I started (nearly bedridden due to all the medical issues that were both a cause and symptom of my weight issue) it was a no brainer...eating in such an extreme way is a small price to pay for getting my life back.

I'm married to that guy who has to make an effort to eat enough or else he accidentally loses weight.

And thank you! I've really emphasized focusing on one day at a time so it's still really surreal when I allow myself to look at the big picture. In a good way though!