Calling Maintainers - your views on how/if you are keeping the weight off

[DebGallo]

1. Your Cohens Goal : 63 - 66
2. How long ago did you reach it? April 2008
3. What is the most you have put on since finishing Cohens? 3kg
4. How far off goal are you now? 1.5kg
5. Were you successful in getting back to your Cohens goal after weight gain? i find that i oscilate between 66 and 67kg - i tend to stress out a bit if i go over 67kg - i cant seem to get under 66 so i am happy to swing between 66 and 67. when i go over i cut out my morning cereal and stick to salads, fruit and vegies - and i exercise every day - approx 30km bike rides and a bit of walking.
6. Your thoughts on maintaining...it's all about moderation. and not stressing out too much if i go over..i find it hard at times as people keep asking me if "i am still on the diet" when i say no to big plates of pasta or cakes at work..just have faith in yourself that you can maintain and look great for a long long time

[ceburoo]

1. Your Cohens Goal . . . 66-69.
2. How long ago did you reach it? I started re-feed on 11 November 2008.
2b. What was your re-feed starting weight. 64.6
2c. What was your maintenance starting weight. 61.7.
3. What is the most you have put on since finishing Cohens? In the five weeks since I started maintenance my weight has fluctuated from a low of 60.6 to 64.2.
4. How far off goal are you now? My weight today is 61.8 so 4.2 below Cohens lowest goal
5. Were you successful in getting back to your Cohens goal after weight gain? I have never been above my Cohens goal and have had no problems in losing anything that I have gained when I have gone off the rails.
6. Your thoughts on maintaining... The 18 weeks on the feeding programme as well as the almost 3 weeks re-feed has taught me plenty about what I can expect in regards to what and when I eat in the future. What I am finding interesting is my own attitude towards myself. I have now bitten the bullet and have gone out and bought new shirts size small ( formerly XL or L) and pants 82cm/32" (formerly 38") as well as picking up some "hand me downs" of my sons pants and shorts that he hasn't worn for ages.
I feel that my "new" weight will be around the 61 mark and as I am weighing in every day it will be easy to keep the weight under control from what I have learned during my journey to get here.

[janine]

Hi Hexi

I'm a slow starter - just found this thread and it was a great idea.

1. Your Cohens Goal - 57 - 60
2. How long ago did you reach it? 8 months
3. What is the most you have put on since finishing Cohens? 4kg
4. How far off goal are you now? within goal as of a few days ago
5. Were you successful in getting back to your Cohens goal after weight gain? Yes. This was the most that I had gained since finishing Refeed and this lot took nearly 2 weeks on plan to get rid of it.
6. Your thoughts on maintaining...
Weigh every day or close to it so that you can monitor your weight. 2kg over and you can fix it in a couple of days. Any more and it is painful.

I agree that it is all a matter of accounting with some help from food type. Thin people (like my husband) don't eat in excess and are not emotionally attached to their food. They don't have to think about their diet.

Knowing the impact of carbs helps me to offset some of my other habits. I don't think there is any such thing as your weight staying completely stable and I don't think that normal life allows us to stick to 100% Cohen's foods. You have to work out the right balance for you and expect to reset every now and then. Just don't let it go too far and it will be easy . The Cohen's tools work well.

[sweetie]

I think this is a great thread. Hoping to see more recent comments

[nicole]

Loving this thread!!! Maintainers please keep posting as it is VERY inspiring for all of us who are still on the thick of the plan. I have read, heard and seen SO MANY people fail to maintain so reading your reviews and how your managing if just wonderful!

We all appreciate the time it takes to write something so thanks again! I know when I maintain I will be posting here
xxx

[ConnieK..]

hey guys,

Some of us are still here hanging around, posting in our maintenance diaries as well

I am still maintaining fine, gained 2.4kg in my first year of maintenance, just got that and a couple more off, back to maintaining again ...

It can work ... I promise!

Connie

[sundaymorningstaple]

I'm currently 13+ months on maintenance and at the moment I'm sitting at 1.9kg over original target. I have been as high as 4kg over (earlier this month) and as low as 1.3kg below target (early on). I normally sit between target and +1.5kg. I have yet to "reset" but just eat Cohen friendly when I can and in moderation when I can't. (I haven't weighed anything since the last day of refeed) Works for me. But sometimes like this month, there have been a lot of not so friendly meals and I did blow up a bit, I've been good this week and have already dropped 2.1kg since Monday. Got a function to attend this evening and as it's local and primarily chinese, I know there is going to be noodles & rice and UFO's none of which I eat too much of. UFO's? Unidentified Fried Objects! always in batter!

But it all works out as I know that the only way to maintain is to adhere to a modified form of the program. e.g., I have changed my lifestyle as this is what the programme insists one has to do if one is going to beat the yo-yo dieting circle. This is the new normal for me. It works, I like my 31" Levi's and I'm gonna keep wearing them. If I have to weigh daily or eat differently the rest of my life, I will. I haven't had a sardine or a slab of calf's liver in 20 years as I had to give them up in order to beat the hereditary gout that I'm afflicted with. One has to decide which is most important in one's life and live accordingly.

Works for me.

[Hayley23]

I can't yet offer any advice but i'm more then happy to receive some!

I'm on day 2 of maintenance (yes, early days) but actually find myself feeling a bit 'scared' of the real world. I guess I was somewhat of a hermit crab while on plan (I guess this is normal) and I almost feel like I actually have to learn to eat normally again. I still feel very inclined to eat cohen's foods as I guess they are 'safe' to me now.

My appetite is virtually non-existent since completing the program and i'm really not sure why this is but I guess its better then being plagued with endless hunger and never feeling satisfied, so I am greatful in a way. I have read and read the maintenance guidelines and there is a couple of things i'm not 100% clear about. When it states to limit carbs to one meal a day if possible, does this includes crispbreads? Or is it safe to have a couple with each meal? If we are having alcohol and missing carbs on that day and the day after, does that mean no crispbreads? These are just minor things I know, but i'm certain i'll have many more questions as time in maintenance goes on.

Also whats the deal with alcohol? What/how much are people finding they can have on a night out for example? I certainly don't plan on drinking to oblivion but I am young and would like to go out for a few drinks (say 4-5 over a whole night) every once in a while and not have to worry too much about it affecting my weight.

I just feel a little bit lost as to how much I should be eating what what kind of pattern to adhere to. I suppose no one can really tell me this as we are all so individual its just a case of trial and error. I am so so so happy with what I have acheived but terrified of losing it again at the same time! Hope this feeling is normal...

[hope_ful]

1. Your Cohens Goal - 59 - 62
2. How long ago did you reach it? 4 months
3. What is the most you have put on since finishing Cohens? 2.8kg above top goal weight
4. What was your refeed starting weight? 61.6kg
5. What was your maintenance start weight? 61.4kg
6. How far off goal are you now? 1.5kg away from top goal
7. Were you successful in getting back to your Cohens goal after weight gain? yes but not for more than a few days at a time, i seem to easily maintain at about the 63kg mark.. still aiming to get down to about 60kg
8. Your thoughts on maintaining... weigh in almost everyday! write down how u feel. keep up exercise. dont feel guilty. guilt is the starting emotion for a downfall. pick yourself up and start again. if u have to start again every single day its better than continuing to fall off the wagon and never picking yourself up. love yourself and do what is best for you, even if it means being "selfish" or anti social in other's eyes. this is your body and your life and you need to be happy!!

[jacquiace]

1. Your Cohens Goal - 59kgs - lost 18kgs
2. How long ago did you reach it? approx 10 weeks
3. What is the most you have put on since finishing Cohens? 1-2kgs...
4. How far off goal are you now? back on track....
5. Were you successful in getting back to your Cohens goal after weight gain? yes, just went back on the strict diet for a week...always knocks off afew kilos

6. Your thoughts on maintaining...still have problems with realising that I am no longer the heavier person....its as if my mind hasn't adjusted to the new weight....have to remind myself that I am no longer overweight, only confirmed when I am looking in mirror or wearing new size 8-10 clothes...abit strange, but very happy with results.

I have 2 days off a week and eat anything but always sensible within reason. Drink wine etc, the remaining 5 days I stick to a very strict and sensible eating plan....keeps everything balanced. Drinks loads of water still.

[Hayley23]

I'm still rather new to maintenance but will have a go at this...

1. Your Cohens Goal - 55-58kg but my current weight is around 52.5kg
2. How long ago did you reach it? Approx 5 weeks.
3. What is the most you have put on since finishing Cohen's? I have stayed between 52-53kg and experience normal, everyday fluctuations.
4. How far off goal are you now? A bit below, but I am at my 'comfy' weight and use to sit here quite happily a few years ago.
5. Were you successful in getting back to your Cohens goal after weight gain?
6. Your thoughts on maintaining...Personally, during the program and since there after, my appetite has decreased dramatically and so have my cravings for sweets which were like a constant thorn in my side before beginning Cohen's. I find that this has made it easier for me to tiptoe into maintenance. I have been very careful and rather then trying loads of new foods at once, I might try a couple of different ones each day or so. I have had a few restaurant meals, a couple of deserts & slices of cake and also was away for a few days down South not long ago where I ate some undesireable hotel food. Through all of this my weight may have gone up a few hundred grams but has, so far, stayed within the kilo. I am amazed at how this program has worked for me and feel a sense of empowerment. I try to keep occassional treats for when I'm out for dinner. For example, I would rather have a nice dessert at a restaurant then bring home a block of chocolate and know that I have these kinds of things lying around the house. I think this makes for a 'healthy' relationship with the not-so-healthy treats. I have carried on eating 3 moderate protein & vege meals a day and find that usually I am eating not because I am even hungry, but because I now know my body NEEDS the right fuel mix 3 times a day and how bad it is to skip meals - a nasty habbit I once had. I eat a mountain of veges at lunch and dinner and my family actually laughs at how big the pile is before I cook them and they shrink! I am amazed at how I can eat pretty generous servings of the right food and still be slim, where as I used to eat eat broccoli and pretty much put on weight because of how poorly my hormones were functioning. All in all, I eat Cohen's friendly 90% of the time and have tried to keep my good habbits/routine that I developed whilst on the program - why? Because it works. I actually really enjoy Cohen's food. Whether this is a mental thing or physical thing or maybe a bit of both I'm not sure but I love the 'guilt free' feeling of sticking to mainly Cohen's foods. I don't weigh my food anymore and I have continued to eat my crackers - but I now enjoy spreading butter on them! Moderate amounts of fat have not really affected me so far. If i've gone out for coffee and cake, for example, in the afternoon (which isnt often) I will eat a Cohen's dinner but of maintenance type portions and it seems to balance out. I have not yet gone back to exercise and still feel as if I am not in any hurry. Prior to Cohen's I was very much overdoing it to counteract the effects of PCOS so now I feel I will have to re-establish a good relationship with exercise and find something I enjoy for well being, rather then going like a psycho in the gym and sweating like a rapist!! My biggest problem so far on maintenance has been my internal dialogue. I find that if I try something sweet or eat something that I know isnt good, I beat myself up - even if it just a tiny bit. I need to learn that I am not going to turn into that girl that was 15kg heavier OVERNIGHT!! I find that I am very hard on myself when I really shouldnt be. I have been very controlled with the bits and pieces of sweets that I have had and I guess that is something to be proud of in a way. The biggest challenge I face from here on out is to be a little kinder to myself.

Well sorry if that was a tad lengthy everyone, but thats my piece for now.

xx

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hayley, it sounds to me like you are a winner. You have realized and defeated your demons. You know what makes your body tick and what is good and bad and you are living the programme as it was designed to be. Total empowerment! Fantastic. Congratulations.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Hayley,

Hmm, yep, SMS said it for me too !! Well done, you - you've learned SO much !!

I find that I am very hard on myself when I really shouldnt be. I have been very controlled with the bits and pieces of sweets that I have had and I guess that is something to be proud of in a way.

Hehe - YOU said it for me right there.... Hayley, you have done yourself SO much good, just be sure you give yourself the rightful credit, and cut yourself some slack when things go a little awry. You are maintaining - and it strikes me that you are doing a damn good job of it. Maintenance will always require "learning" until you arrive at the place where "you now understand all you need to know to retain this new gift - your trim body".

Keep on tip-toeing into maintenance - you are doing yourself SO many favours by taking it slow and considered.

Give yourself a rap, Hayley - you rock

Hugs,

Koh

[Hayley23]

Oh wow thank you SMS & Koh for such strong compliments! I feel like a very lucky girl right now. It is still early days for me but I hope to continue in maintenance successfully and make honest men out of the both of you!

[Kohinoor]

and make honest men out of the both of you!

Nice twist of an old cliche'

Well done

Koh

[goodlucktummy]

bump

[ej_nz]

Hi all!

Just came across this thread and wondered if there were any other Maintainers that want to share how they are going?

I'm still on plan but wondering what life is like in maintenance? My plan feels like my safety net...bit nervous about what lies ahead!

[mcbell]

Bump!

Come on maintainers - share your tips and tricks please - maintenance is only 8 days away for me

[Kohinoor]

Hi all,

and especially McBell Upon reading this post today, I just HAD to add the link here.

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=370018#post370018

This is from MissNat's Maintenance Diary, and it starts off with a "what is working for me seven months in" portion.

But wait, there's more (S-O-O-O much more.....)

Read back a page or two in MissNat's diary, and you will see her thoughts on many different subjects, where, in different posts, she expands on areas of maintenance, and her thoughts surrounding them, etc. Go looking and find some fresh gems !!

I think she might be writing a book, and I reckon it will become a best-seller if she does What is more, she keeps adding to them (another added in that linked post, called "The Home Advantage").

Read back from there to catch all the others.....

Great stuff, MissNat,

Koh

[mcbell]

Originally Posted by Kohinoor

Hi all,

and especially McBell Upon reading this post today, I just HAD to add the link here.

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=370018#post370018

This is from MissNat's Maintenance Diary, and it starts off with a "what is working for me seven months in" portion.

But wait, there's more (S-O-O-O much more.....)

Read back a page or two in MissNat's diary, and you will see her thoughts on many different subjects, where, in different posts, she expands on areas of maintenance, and her thoughts surrounding them, etc. Go looking and find some fresh gems !!

I think she might be writing a book, and I reckon it will become a best-seller if she does What is more, she keeps adding to them (another added in that linked post, called "The Home Advantage").

Read back from there to catch all the others.....

Great stuff, MissNat,

Koh

Thanks Koh - of course, I already have MissNats maintenance diary as one of my subscribed threads because she is soooo awesome! I hadn't seen this post yet though.

I just need everyone to pour their maintenance advice directly into my brain, and then I need to take action in the positive and make those good sensible decisions that I desperately want to make so I can maintain (and define) this wonderful body I now have.