One year down, 40+ to go!

Today is my 48th birthday and in 2 days I'll have maintained my near
hundred pound weight loss for a year. I've been posting to asd for six
months and I'm happy to feel like I have comrades in arms for the
journey.

For me, maintenance has not been very difficult. I think the reason is
that I really did *change* the way I think about eating and the necessity
for exercise. I don't really have any banned foods. There are some I
just don't buy anymore (Oreos) and some that are designated very special
treats like a 9 ounce bag of potato chips I planned for SuperBowl Sunday.
Funny thing about that was I had given myself permission to eat the whole
bag during the game but I got full and actually finished them the next
day. That never would have happened before. I eat lunch out
occasionally with my husband or friends and most of the time will pick
something much more healthy than I used to. But sometimes I just want a
big juicy bacon cheeseburger and I'll have it. If we go to the Chinese
buffet, I'll have one plate and be happy with that. I go away for a week
or two twice a year and despite relaxing my routine a little, haven't
gained anything I couldn't lose as soon as I got back home.

Eating meals at home is easy. I love cooking and have been able to
change my recipes to lower the fat significantly. I always use a
luncheon plate or a much smaller bowl than before so portion control is
not a problem. I never leave the table hungry or stuffed. I've learned
to love squash, f/f cottage cheese, almonds, steel cut oats and barley.
I eat fruit and salad every day. I seldom make a sandwich with two
slices of bread anymore. I eat hot cereal with fruit for breakfast
almost every morning and bake two chocolate chip cookies for myself each
evening (except for Friday when I have a brownie - I *do* love
chocolate!). I have learned to eat very deliberately, savoring each bite
and it's much more satisfying. I experimentally gave up my food diary in
late November when I was between computers and haven't found it necessary
to resume.

I love to exercise and continue to walk every day, both outside year
round and on my treadmill in winter when it's dark after supper. When I
was losing weight I walked 8 miles a day. I have cut it back to about
3.5. I began a dumbbell routine as my New Year's Resolution (Thanks to
inspiration from Chris!) and except Saturday, alternate it in the
mornings with Pilates. I'm going to start taking one entire day off a
week from exercise and I think that will seem strange after all this
time! I suspect that even if it's my planned "day off", if it's gorgeous
and sunny you'll see me out walking on the road with the music humming in
my ears. Why would I deny myself that pleasure?

I took some measurements last March and since then have lost 1" from my
chest, 2" in my waist, 2" at my naval, 1" from my hips. Curiously, I've
gained 1/2" around my neck. All this without losing any more! My weight
was 108 for several months last fall and now seems to have really settled
into 110. I weigh myself once a week.

For the most part, I'm thrilled with the way I look and as my sensible
Yankee friend tells me "You had your boobs when you needed them" lol. I
have a wonderful group of dear friends here in the village, back in NY
where I grew up and very special ones online. They cheered me on every
day and week and never once tried to tempt me to eat something that I
didn't want.

I have no plans on going back to that previous sluggish life. The women
in my family have great longevity and I feel young. I'm happy to be
part of this group of loserss. YougotthatCarol? ;-)

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Wow, our birthdays are close together!!! What are you
doing to celebrate your birthday???

Your posts are always helpful and inspirational to read. I hope I do as
well as you when I hit my goal.

"SnugBear" wrote in message
.4...
Today is my 48th birthday and in 2 days I'll have maintained my near
hundred pound weight loss for a year. I've been posting to asd for six
months and I'm happy to feel like I have comrades in arms for the
journey.

For me, maintenance has not been very difficult. I think the reason is
that I really did *change* the way I think about eating and the necessity
for exercise. I don't really have any banned foods. There are some I
just don't buy anymore (Oreos) and some that are designated very special
treats like a 9 ounce bag of potato chips I planned for SuperBowl Sunday.
Funny thing about that was I had given myself permission to eat the whole
bag during the game but I got full and actually finished them the next
day. That never would have happened before. I eat lunch out
occasionally with my husband or friends and most of the time will pick
something much more healthy than I used to. But sometimes I just want a
big juicy bacon cheeseburger and I'll have it. If we go to the Chinese
buffet, I'll have one plate and be happy with that. I go away for a week
or two twice a year and despite relaxing my routine a little, haven't
gained anything I couldn't lose as soon as I got back home.

Eating meals at home is easy. I love cooking and have been able to
change my recipes to lower the fat significantly. I always use a
luncheon plate or a much smaller bowl than before so portion control is
not a problem. I never leave the table hungry or stuffed. I've learned
to love squash, f/f cottage cheese, almonds, steel cut oats and barley.
I eat fruit and salad every day. I seldom make a sandwich with two
slices of bread anymore. I eat hot cereal with fruit for breakfast
almost every morning and bake two chocolate chip cookies for myself each
evening (except for Friday when I have a brownie - I *do* love
chocolate!). I have learned to eat very deliberately, savoring each bite
and it's much more satisfying. I experimentally gave up my food diary in
late November when I was between computers and haven't found it necessary
to resume.

I love to exercise and continue to walk every day, both outside year
round and on my treadmill in winter when it's dark after supper. When I
was losing weight I walked 8 miles a day. I have cut it back to about
3.5. I began a dumbbell routine as my New Year's Resolution (Thanks to
inspiration from Chris!) and except Saturday, alternate it in the
mornings with Pilates. I'm going to start taking one entire day off a
week from exercise and I think that will seem strange after all this
time! I suspect that even if it's my planned "day off", if it's gorgeous
and sunny you'll see me out walking on the road with the music humming in
my ears. Why would I deny myself that pleasure?

I took some measurements last March and since then have lost 1" from my
chest, 2" in my waist, 2" at my naval, 1" from my hips. Curiously, I've
gained 1/2" around my neck. All this without losing any more! My weight
was 108 for several months last fall and now seems to have really settled
into 110. I weigh myself once a week.

For the most part, I'm thrilled with the way I look and as my sensible
Yankee friend tells me "You had your boobs when you needed them" lol. I
have a wonderful group of dear friends here in the village, back in NY
where I grew up and very special ones online. They cheered me on every
day and week and never once tried to tempt me to eat something that I
didn't want.

I have no plans on going back to that previous sluggish life. The women
in my family have great longevity and I feel young. I'm happy to be
part of this group of loserss. YougotthatCarol? ;-)

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

In article , SnugBear
wrote:

Today is my 48th birthday and in 2 days I'll have maintained my near
hundred pound weight loss for a year. I've been posting to asd for six
months and I'm happy to feel like I have comrades in arms for the
journey.

For me, maintenance has not been very difficult. I think the reason is
that I really did *change* the way I think about eating and the necessity
for exercise. I don't really have any banned foods. There are some I
just don't buy anymore (Oreos) and some that are designated very special
treats like a 9 ounce bag of potato chips I planned for SuperBowl Sunday.
Funny thing about that was I had given myself permission to eat the whole
bag during the game but I got full and actually finished them the next
day. That never would have happened before. I eat lunch out
occasionally with my husband or friends and most of the time will pick
something much more healthy than I used to. But sometimes I just want a
big juicy bacon cheeseburger and I'll have it. If we go to the Chinese
buffet, I'll have one plate and be happy with that. I go away for a week
or two twice a year and despite relaxing my routine a little, haven't
gained anything I couldn't lose as soon as I got back home.

Eating meals at home is easy. I love cooking and have been able to
change my recipes to lower the fat significantly. I always use a
luncheon plate or a much smaller bowl than before so portion control is
not a problem. I never leave the table hungry or stuffed. I've learned
to love squash, f/f cottage cheese, almonds, steel cut oats and barley.
I eat fruit and salad every day. I seldom make a sandwich with two
slices of bread anymore. I eat hot cereal with fruit for breakfast
almost every morning and bake two chocolate chip cookies for myself each
evening (except for Friday when I have a brownie - I *do* love
chocolate!). I have learned to eat very deliberately, savoring each bite
and it's much more satisfying. I experimentally gave up my food diary in
late November when I was between computers and haven't found it necessary
to resume.

I love to exercise and continue to walk every day, both outside year
round and on my treadmill in winter when it's dark after supper. When I
was losing weight I walked 8 miles a day. I have cut it back to about
3.5. I began a dumbbell routine as my New Year's Resolution (Thanks to
inspiration from Chris!) and except Saturday, alternate it in the
mornings with Pilates. I'm going to start taking one entire day off a
week from exercise and I think that will seem strange after all this
time! I suspect that even if it's my planned "day off", if it's gorgeous
and sunny you'll see me out walking on the road with the music humming in
my ears. Why would I deny myself that pleasure?

I took some measurements last March and since then have lost 1" from my
chest, 2" in my waist, 2" at my naval, 1" from my hips. Curiously, I've
gained 1/2" around my neck. All this without losing any more! My weight
was 108 for several months last fall and now seems to have really settled
into 110. I weigh myself once a week.

For the most part, I'm thrilled with the way I look and as my sensible
Yankee friend tells me "You had your boobs when you needed them" lol. I
have a wonderful group of dear friends here in the village, back in NY
where I grew up and very special ones online. They cheered me on every
day and week and never once tried to tempt me to eat something that I
didn't want.

I have no plans on going back to that previous sluggish life. The women
in my family have great longevity and I feel young. I'm happy to be
part of this group of loserss. YougotthatCarol? ;-)

Welcome to the Winning Losers' Club SB.

One of the things exercise did for me is just what is advertised. I got
curves. I look like that highway that winds through Big Sur country.

Maintenance is a challenge because you are treading water in a sense.
Just trying to hang on to an acheivement. maybe Bobby will need me at
Marsino's LOL!

But the miracle is when I see Oprah and Dr. Pill counseling people with
obesity problems, I no longer identify 100%. I may have other issues,
but weight is not the number one or at least stays down the road until
I have sudden gains. (and you guys know we are not bulletproof)

My permanent strategy is to cut down on calorie dense foods when that
happens, schedule snacks and use my nutrition tracker. Of course
exercise makes the big difference and maintains the curves that keeps
te highwayfrom becoming The Road to Perdition!.

--
Diva
******
There is no substitute for the right food

Happy Birthday!

Thanks for all you add to our group.

j
"SnugBear" wrote in message
.4...
Today is my 48th birthday and in 2 days I'll have maintained my near
hundred pound weight loss for a year. I've been posting to asd for six
months and I'm happy to feel like I have comrades in arms for the
journey.

For me, maintenance has not been very difficult. I think the reason is
that I really did *change* the way I think about eating and the necessity
for exercise. I don't really have any banned foods. There are some I
just don't buy anymore (Oreos) and some that are designated very special
treats like a 9 ounce bag of potato chips I planned for SuperBowl Sunday.
Funny thing about that was I had given myself permission to eat the whole
bag during the game but I got full and actually finished them the next
day. That never would have happened before. I eat lunch out
occasionally with my husband or friends and most of the time will pick
something much more healthy than I used to. But sometimes I just want a
big juicy bacon cheeseburger and I'll have it. If we go to the Chinese
buffet, I'll have one plate and be happy with that. I go away for a week
or two twice a year and despite relaxing my routine a little, haven't
gained anything I couldn't lose as soon as I got back home.

Eating meals at home is easy. I love cooking and have been able to
change my recipes to lower the fat significantly. I always use a
luncheon plate or a much smaller bowl than before so portion control is
not a problem. I never leave the table hungry or stuffed. I've learned
to love squash, f/f cottage cheese, almonds, steel cut oats and barley.
I eat fruit and salad every day. I seldom make a sandwich with two
slices of bread anymore. I eat hot cereal with fruit for breakfast
almost every morning and bake two chocolate chip cookies for myself each
evening (except for Friday when I have a brownie - I *do* love
chocolate!). I have learned to eat very deliberately, savoring each bite
and it's much more satisfying. I experimentally gave up my food diary in
late November when I was between computers and haven't found it necessary
to resume.

I love to exercise and continue to walk every day, both outside year
round and on my treadmill in winter when it's dark after supper. When I
was losing weight I walked 8 miles a day. I have cut it back to about
3.5. I began a dumbbell routine as my New Year's Resolution (Thanks to
inspiration from Chris!) and except Saturday, alternate it in the
mornings with Pilates. I'm going to start taking one entire day off a
week from exercise and I think that will seem strange after all this
time! I suspect that even if it's my planned "day off", if it's gorgeous
and sunny you'll see me out walking on the road with the music humming in
my ears. Why would I deny myself that pleasure?

I took some measurements last March and since then have lost 1" from my
chest, 2" in my waist, 2" at my naval, 1" from my hips. Curiously, I've
gained 1/2" around my neck. All this without losing any more! My weight
was 108 for several months last fall and now seems to have really settled
into 110. I weigh myself once a week.

For the most part, I'm thrilled with the way I look and as my sensible
Yankee friend tells me "You had your boobs when you needed them" lol. I
have a wonderful group of dear friends here in the village, back in NY
where I grew up and very special ones online. They cheered me on every
day and week and never once tried to tempt me to eat something that I
didn't want.

I have no plans on going back to that previous sluggish life. The women
in my family have great longevity and I feel young. I'm happy to be
part of this group of loserss. YougotthatCarol? ;-)

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

"SnugBear" wrote in message
.4...
Today is my 48th birthday and in 2 days I'll have maintained my near
hundred pound weight loss for a year. I've been posting to asd for six
months and I'm happy to feel like I have comrades in arms for the
journey.

Some excellent things snipped!

I have no plans on going back to that previous sluggish life. The women
in my family have great longevity and I feel young. I'm happy to be
part of this group of loserss. YougotthatCarol? ;-)

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! Oh to be 48 againg

What a wonderful post. It's great to hear about the great successes we
have in the group.
I even found I do a few of the things you do to keep the weight off such as
only one slice of bread for a sandwich, keeping foods out of the house that
cause problems, etc.

Btw, I tried your Apple Fennel soup over the weekend and loved it. I hope
it freezes well as I put the rest of it into individual containers for
bringing to work in my lunch.

Beverly

In article ,
SnugBear wrote:

Today is my 48th birthday and in 2 days I'll have maintained my
near
hundred pound weight loss for a year. I've been posting to asd
for six
months and I'm happy to feel like I have comrades in arms for the
journey.

Snip


Congrats on all counts, SnugBear! Happy Birthday!

Amy

"SnugBear" wrote in message
.4...
Today is my 48th birthday and in 2 days I'll have maintained my near
hundred pound weight loss for a year.

Wow, Laurie, you story inspires me. Happy birthday!

- Dewolla Stepon
268/250/199

What an inspiring story, Laurie, and thank you for taking the time to
share with us some of what it's like to be maintaining.
I shall keep your post, as it will help me when I get there. I love
your subject header - I think you'll go on way past 88 with your
attitude

janice
233/184/133

On 18 Feb 2004 14:32:39 GMT, SnugBear wrote:

Today is my 48th birthday and in 2 days I'll have maintained my near
hundred pound weight loss for a year. I've been posting to asd for six
months and I'm happy to feel like I have comrades in arms for the
journey.

For me, maintenance has not been very difficult. I think the reason is
that I really did *change* the way I think about eating and the necessity
for exercise. I don't really have any banned foods. There are some I
just don't buy anymore (Oreos) and some that are designated very special
treats like a 9 ounce bag of potato chips I planned for SuperBowl Sunday.
Funny thing about that was I had given myself permission to eat the whole
bag during the game but I got full and actually finished them the next
day. That never would have happened before. I eat lunch out
occasionally with my husband or friends and most of the time will pick
something much more healthy than I used to. But sometimes I just want a
big juicy bacon cheeseburger and I'll have it. If we go to the Chinese
buffet, I'll have one plate and be happy with that. I go away for a week
or two twice a year and despite relaxing my routine a little, haven't
gained anything I couldn't lose as soon as I got back home.

Eating meals at home is easy. I love cooking and have been able to
change my recipes to lower the fat significantly. I always use a
luncheon plate or a much smaller bowl than before so portion control is
not a problem. I never leave the table hungry or stuffed. I've learned
to love squash, f/f cottage cheese, almonds, steel cut oats and barley.
I eat fruit and salad every day. I seldom make a sandwich with two
slices of bread anymore. I eat hot cereal with fruit for breakfast
almost every morning and bake two chocolate chip cookies for myself each
evening (except for Friday when I have a brownie - I *do* love
chocolate!). I have learned to eat very deliberately, savoring each bite
and it's much more satisfying. I experimentally gave up my food diary in
late November when I was between computers and haven't found it necessary
to resume.

I love to exercise and continue to walk every day, both outside year
round and on my treadmill in winter when it's dark after supper. When I
was losing weight I walked 8 miles a day. I have cut it back to about
3.5. I began a dumbbell routine as my New Year's Resolution (Thanks to
inspiration from Chris!) and except Saturday, alternate it in the
mornings with Pilates. I'm going to start taking one entire day off a
week from exercise and I think that will seem strange after all this
time! I suspect that even if it's my planned "day off", if it's gorgeous
and sunny you'll see me out walking on the road with the music humming in
my ears. Why would I deny myself that pleasure?

I took some measurements last March and since then have lost 1" from my
chest, 2" in my waist, 2" at my naval, 1" from my hips. Curiously, I've
gained 1/2" around my neck. All this without losing any more! My weight
was 108 for several months last fall and now seems to have really settled
into 110. I weigh myself once a week.

For the most part, I'm thrilled with the way I look and as my sensible
Yankee friend tells me "You had your boobs when you needed them" lol. I
have a wonderful group of dear friends here in the village, back in NY
where I grew up and very special ones online. They cheered me on every
day and week and never once tried to tempt me to eat something that I
didn't want.

I have no plans on going back to that previous sluggish life. The women
in my family have great longevity and I feel young. I'm happy to be
part of this group of loserss. YougotthatCarol? ;-)

You've really got it all right, Laurie! You have to be so proud of
yourself!

Chris

"SnugBear" wrote in message
.4...
Today is my 48th birthday and in 2 days I'll have maintained my near
hundred pound weight loss for a year. I've been posting to asd for six
months and I'm happy to feel like I have comrades in arms for the
journey.

Happy Birthday snugs!

Jenn