Moderators: JeffN, f1jim, carolve, Heather McDougall
Lyndzie wrote:The best way to maintain is to continue doing what got you to your goal in the first place. So, just keep doing what you’ve been doing.
taymariekay wrote:I am just curious about how the MWL guidelines change when we reach our ideal weight? I am probably jumping the gun asking this since I'm still in weight loss phase But I am very curious about this.
How would Jeff's place mat change? Maybe it doesn't, as I've heard "what it takes to take it off is what it takes to keep it off".
Thoughts?
wildgoose wrote:@taymariekay Lindsey has the exact right idea. You just keep doing what you’ve been doing all along.
I never believed that in the past. I always thought I could go back to my old ways, at least some of them, some of the time. The kind of thinking that always derailed all my progress and started to put weight back on me went something like this...No, no, and no. The only way I’ve been able to keep weight off without struggling is to simply and straightforwardly decide on a way of eating I can live with permanently. Anything I miss a LOT, and that I would be longing to have again, is a giant red flag for the Pleasure Trap. No, I can’t have it in moderation. If I could, I wouldn’t have stayed fat all those years. I wouldn’t have lost and regained the same 40-60 pounds over and over. No, that rich food is not a treat or a reward. It’s an excuse to re-ignite cravings and set myself off on a months-long binge.
- After I lose the weight, it will be so great to be able to have _______ again.
- My favorite _______ is a reward that I’ll give myself as a tasty treat after I lose <whatever number> pounds.
- I miss _______ so much, I can’t imagine giving it up forever. I should be able to have it in moderation after I lose the weight.
Your situation, and your personality, may be different. I can only speak for myself. But I’ve been on diets since I was a hatchling, and I’ve never been able to maintain a weight loss without stress — until now. And the way I’m doing it is to stay with MWL. I have a few minor additions to my diet now, mostly condiments, but any of the things I used to crave are permanently off the menu. The reward is that I'm in a deep groove and hardly give that stuff a second thought.
You may be able to maintain your weight by following the regular McDougall plan, which includes whole grain flour products and some higher-fat plant foods like avocado and nuts. I can’t. Lots of us keep eating MWL permanently. It’s not strange or restrictive or hard any more, it’s just how we eat.
Goose
Lyndzie wrote:Carwex, we would love to have you (and everyone else who is maintaining)!
Just from personal experience, I’ve tried having regular restaurant meals out, and it very quickly becomes a downward spiral. My husband and I have a few local places we like, and I’ll usually just bring some homemade dressing for a salad. That way my husband gets to enjoy a meal out while I still get to button my shorts.
Also, when hosting others, I usually make something I can eat in addition to food others would like. Taco bars are an excellent way to make sure everyone gets something they enjoy, and it’s easy to grill out and make a batch of Jeff’s bean burgers, too.
WildGoose has written about her weight loss journey and finding her final weight, but I can’t seem to find the post at the moment. I will add the link once I’ve tracked it down.
Lyndzie wrote:Carwex, we would love to have you (and everyone else who is maintaining)!
Just from personal experience, I’ve tried having regular restaurant meals out, and it very quickly becomes a downward spiral. My husband and I have a few local places we like, and I’ll usually just bring some homemade dressing for a salad. That way my husband gets to enjoy a meal out while I still get to button my shorts.
Also, when hosting others, I usually make something I can eat in addition to food others would like. Taco bars are an excellent way to make sure everyone gets something they enjoy, and it’s easy to grill out and make a batch of Jeff’s bean burgers, too.
WildGoose has written about her weight loss journey and finding her final weight, but I can’t seem to find the post at the moment. I will add the link once I’ve tracked it down.
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