Thoughts from those on Maintenance - various authors

[Kohinoor]

This thread will contain classics arising from those on Maintenance sharing their journeys.


Koh

[Kohinoor]

This link takes you to a thread from the earliest days of the forum (check the dates). Back then, it started with a question re Refeed, but soon became a wealth of knowledge re "Maintaining", principally from Kristine.

Her words and thoughts are well worth a read for anyone with questions relating to "after Cohens". She has probably already answered all of the questions that you might have been thinking of asking.

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3517

Kristine's words are always well-considered and well-written - I'm sure many of her current posts will find their way here too.

Koh

[Kohinoor]

...and the emotional upheaval one faces on leaving the "structure" and excitement of the Plan and Refeed.

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=195718#post195718

Lucylou shares her early thoughts and concerns - a "must read" for those approaching Maintenance. Some sobering thoughts, but brilliant introspection too. Thanks for sharing, Loulou,

Koh

Later: It's over a year on, and that whole diary has become quite a journal of cycles - well worth a read for some interesting learnings about maintenance - the good and the bad, but mostly good !!

[Kohinoor]

Jlou pointed me to THIS special post from Shell's Maintenance Diary. Shell shares her learnings that meant a lot to her in helping her to "settle in" to Maintenance. Well worth a read ....

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=161632#post161632

Nice one, Shell,

[Kohinoor]

Seems to be common - Maintenance is a whole new learning experience - fortunately, "those who have gone before" come up trumps to help....

Here's one such occasion, where SMS goes in to bat :-

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=279438#post279438

Do read the WHOLE thread (to get context) and learn from a Master !!
Maintenance is all about "maintaining what you have learned" - not as easy as it sounds, but it is possible....

Originally Posted by SMS

I embraced the programme for what it claimed it was and accepted my life would have to change. If I am to be successful, I was, I am, and I will continue to be a Cohenite. I got rid of HBP after a decade, high cholesterol, and elevated uric acid levels (gout). I've been pill free for two years now after having been on meds for all of them for over a decade.

In the end, once on Maintenance, the "rules" are relaxed (if you allow them to be). Maybe they shouldn't be? Many like "rules" - maybe you need to set them for yourselves?

Rules keep us from chaos (what if people decided they could drive on EITHER side of any road? )

There is a kind of freedom in having limits - might be time to embrace those limits (seems SMS thinks so - and me too).

But, in the end, all Cohen graduates now have the tools to keep themselves on track - sometimes the tools are forgotten. Is it just another whole new learning curve?

Even a "lifetime" of learning? You tell me.....

Koh

[Kohinoor]

A pure gem from Connie, ably supported by SMS, Hayley, and others.

"Maintenance works - if you work it". Thanks to Hayley23, this thread was bumped, and is now included in "Classics" (deservedly so).

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8348

If you are on Maintenance, this is an absolute must-read,

Koh