The After Life

I just read what is probably at least the hundreth success story of
group or individual weight loss, this one sponsored by our local
newspaper. A happy ending? Who knows.

When one thinks of the effort that goes into a prolonged weight loss
and life style changing projects and the worry over every
transgression, it must be remembered that no one sprays us with
fixative at the glorious moment of attaining goal.

Ideal weight is like keeping your teeth (in most cases) or letting go
of the string on a ballooon. it takes work. Take fair
warning---reaching goal is only the beginning of a a new and never
ending campaign.

The recidivism, rate (incidence of regaining all and more) used to be
98%.

It used to discourage ASD whenever it was mentioned. But as I near the
five year mark of weight lost/weight kept off, it seems to have held
true.

This is the longest period of weight stability I have been privileged
to enjoy. Other times it was six weeks or three months before the scale
started dialing for disaster.

A number of things made the difference and I had a few minor lapses
during this time as some may recall.

The differences?

....regular exercise

....inability to digest disaccharide carbohydrates

....discontinuing lithium after sixteen years with good results and
emotional stability despite bi-polar illness

....concern for weight bearing joints and osteoporosis

....vanity :-)

That is why one remains semi-active on ASD after the ball is over. The
daily commitment isn't very different from that of anyone here with
weight to lose. I walk the same walk and without the same talk as the
scenario never changes.

Regular satisfying meals, portion control, limits on grazing and
snacking, regular weigh-ins and occasional measurement taking, caution
when eating out.

Exceptions: the cheese samples at Whole Foods. they are tiny and only
offered on weekends.

Be aware, it has to be a forever thing!

--
Diva
********
Completing 4 years of maintenance

The recidivism, rate (incidence of regaining all and more) used to be
98%.

First, I want to thank you for this post, even though I'm just starting (2 wks)
I have been thinking a lot about what do I do when I get 'there'
I have gotten 'there' in the past. Losing 175 pounds. When ppl find out I
have lost a considerable amount of weight before they think I must know exactly
how to do it. AND I'll admit, sometimes I think I know it all as well. There
is also considerable shame and embarrassment to know that I have gained more
than 50 pounds of that weight back (In the last 5+ years)
However I will say that when I lost weight before I had days of feeling good,
but not like I have now. This time my body FEELS different, more alive, less
desperate, I don't know, maybe it's just a maturity thing, maybe I'm at a point
in my life that is less crazy. Anyway, what ever the reason, it's better.


This is the longest period of weight stability I have been privileged
to enjoy. Other times it was six weeks or three months before the scale
started dialing for disaster.

Do you worry a lot about regaining the wt? While I don't want to ignore the wt
issue, I am kind of hoping that food will become less and less of a focus for
me. In some ways it already has, but I do need quite a bit of improvement.


Be aware, it has to be a forever thing!

--
Diva

Again, thanks for this post, it has given me a lot to think about.
~Kat


"The early bird gets the worm, the second mouse gets the cheese."

Be prepared that food will still be a huge issue.

i

whatever ....

~Kat


"The early bird gets the worm, the second mouse gets the cheese."

On Sat, 26 Jun 2004 06:59:11 -0400, Carol Frilegh
wrote:

I just read what is probably at least the hundreth success story of
group or individual weight loss, this one sponsored by our local
newspaper. A happy ending? Who knows.

Thanks for posting this Carol. It's good to hear from you.

janice

"Carol Frilegh" wrote in message
...

snip

When one thinks of the effort that goes into a prolonged weight loss
and life style changing projects and the worry over every
transgression, it must be remembered that no one sprays us with
fixative at the glorious moment of attaining goal.

I love that image! May I use it?

snip

This is the longest period of weight stability I have been privileged
to enjoy. Other times it was six weeks or three months before the scale
started dialing for disaster.

A number of things made the difference and I had a few minor lapses
during this time as some may recall.

The differences?

...regular exercise

...inability to digest disaccharide carbohydrates

...discontinuing lithium after sixteen years with good results and
emotional stability despite bi-polar illness

...concern for weight bearing joints and osteoporosis

...vanity :-)

snip

Carol, I've been examining my own weight loss and good eating habit
motivations, and I recognize two factors in place now that were not there
when I lost a lot of weight in 1994.

First, my age and health. With age comes the somewhat normal progression of
aches and pains, things stop working, and doctor's tests show more things to
be concerned about. Excess weight only aggravates and accelerates those
problems. For me it was circulation problems, high cholesterol, arthritis
in the knees, sciatica, heel spurs on both feet, and the beginning of T2
diabetes. I didn't have those conditions in 1994, and so the only
motivation to keeping the weight off was vanity. My appetite for the three
basic food groups (fat, salt, sugar) soon overtook the vanity, and the
weight went back on.

Second, technology. In 1994 there wasn't all the online resources there are
now, including support groups like ASD. The home computer software wasn't
as powerful as it is now. The spreadsheets I use to track my health plan
and analyze the results are only possible now. Ten years ago all I could do
was count calories or Weight Watchers points/servings, and it was none too
accurate. Now, however, I weigh and measure everything, and generate charts
which show me how I am doing on nutrition balance, blood pressure, weight,
as well as trends.

So, given that I am a certifiable perfectionist and just love keeping track
of every little detail, and now can see the health effects of obesity on my
own body, and have the whole internet for research and support, I do believe
I have the tools knowledge and motivation to keep the weight off forever.

--
Dewolla Stepon
268/201.3/199 - Phase 1
199/201.3/175 - Phase 2
154 at age 28
285 at age 53

In article , Jarkat2002
wrote:

The recidivism, rate (incidence of regaining all and more) used to be
98%.

First, I want to thank you for this post, even though I'm just starting (2
wks)
I have been thinking a lot about what do I do when I get 'there'
I have gotten 'there' in the past. Losing 175 pounds. When ppl find out I
have lost a considerable amount of weight before they think I must know
exactly
how to do it. AND I'll admit, sometimes I think I know it all as well. There
is also considerable shame and embarrassment to know that I have gained more
than 50 pounds of that weight back (In the last 5+ years)
However I will say that when I lost weight before I had days of feeling good,
but not like I have now. This time my body FEELS different, more alive, less
desperate, I don't know, maybe it's just a maturity thing, maybe I'm at a
point
in my life that is less crazy. Anyway, what ever the reason, it's better.


This is the longest period of weight stability I have been privileged
to enjoy. Other times it was six weeks or three months before the scale
started dialing for disaster.

Do you worry a lot about regaining the wt? While I don't want to ignore the
wt
issue, I am kind of hoping that food will become less and less of a focus for
me. In some ways it already has, but I do need quite a bit of improvement.

Because historically I did regain, i worried for the first year or two
and drove ASD crazy with self involved whining if i gained a couple of
water pounds from over salting. It wore thin when ppl were gelping
others with lost of weigh to lose.
One thing that did bother me was not enough tough love on ASD. There
are some people who have come back six or seven times, hung around for
a week or two supporting everyone else but keeping the focus off
themselves. their specialty is apology and promises without comittment.

Now if I sound cocky on occasion, at least I have credentials :-)

Diva,
219/140

Carol Frilegh wrote:

...vanity :-)

That is why one remains semi-active on ASD after the ball is over. The
daily commitment isn't very different from that of anyone here with
weight to lose. I walk the same walk and without the same talk as the
scenario never changes.

Regular satisfying meals, portion control, limits on grazing and
snacking, regular weigh-ins and occasional measurement taking, caution
when eating out.

You just made me put the pretzels away!!! Thanks s


--
Walking on . . .
Laurie in Maine
207/110 60 inches of attitude!
Start: 2/02 Maintained since 2/03

"Dewolla Stepon" wrote:

My appetite for the three
basic food groups (fat, salt, sugar) soon overtook the vanity, and the
weight went back on.

No no no - the 3 food groups are red meat, deep fat and Hot Fudge! ;-)

--
Walking on . . .
Laurie in Maine
207/110 60 inches of attitude!
Start: 2/02 Maintained since 2/03

In article , SnugBear
wrote:

"Dewolla Stepon" wrote:

My appetite for the three
basic food groups (fat, salt, sugar) soon overtook the vanity, and the
weight went back on.

No no no - the 3 food groups are red meat, deep fat and Hot Fudge! ;-)

Don't laugh, I use lots of peanut butter, honey, butter and dried fruit
but cut back if there is a weight gain.

Diva