Maintaining weight & cheaters confessional

[EvaTheOptimist]

Thanks to BIWI's bootcamp I've lost loads of weight. I'm determined not to put it all back on. So I am now consciously trying to maintain my new weight.

I finished the last bootcamp on 150.8lb. My aim is to stay below 11 stone (154lb). Since bootcamp I have weighed between 149lb and 151.6lb. I think this roughly counts as maintaining!

My plan or experiment is to see whether basically eating bootcamp style, but with 3-4 off-piste moments per week (eg chocolate, toast, special treat meal etc) will do the trick of maintaining.

Post here to share your experience of maintaining the low carb way.

Also feel free to confess any cheating here, offload and wail in a safe space!!

This is as brave as I feel I can be.
The first picture is pre-bootcamp, and probably weighing almost 16 stone.
The second last week a couple of lb over 14 stone.

Can you tell?? Or has all the work been for nothing?? I think my tummy is improved, even though I still have miles (well, 3+stone) to go...

Gosh LMD that's an obvious difference. You have regained your figure in the after photo, lovely feminine curves. Have you had to buy a lot of new clothes? Even if you have to slum it at Asda with me and Trash you could do with more fitted clothes to show off your slimmer figure.

Thank you Stunt that's really kind and positive. The first is my own wedding dress and the second the wedding I went to last week, I don't wear that kind of thing all the time!! - but wanted comparable things. I was off my feet for much of Nov/ Dec/ Jan there aren't any other pictures. I have massive lower leg scarring, so in the warmer weather I am living in a couple of pairs of linen trousers and a couple of long skirts and tops. For work I've got trousers and tops that are a bit more fitted - I still feel big though and I carry it all around my middle, tummy especially, and bottom, and am relatively flat chested so fitted tops don't really work.

As a twenty-something, pre DD and a size 8-10, I had no body confidence and hid, all the time. I probably wear more fitted clothes now, a 16-18 on top, and 18 trousers than I did then. The self loathing as part of depressive symptoms meant I really hated myself, and I was probably so attractive, but it means I have no idea what to wear.

My DH is massively encouraging, and has got me in to wearing more colours, and getting increasingly more joy from clothes than before. And he married me looking like I did in the first picture!!!!

Sorry, maybe a real overshare there...

LittleMiss I can see the difference - in your arms, round the top of the chest (as much as I can see) and round the hips and middle. Definitely noticeable weight-loss. I bet if you put your wedding dress on now it would be baggy round the middle and you'd find it getting too "low-slung" in the neckline.

Its absolutely NOT been all for nothing, this is going to continue to get you back down pound by pound. Its stunning that you've lost nearly 2 stone already - a massive amount! I feel I am waving pom poms for you here.

I have Never Ever been a size 8-10 (tall & large-framed) but I had no body confidence as a teen or twenty-something either. I'm now roughly the same size as I was in my twenties (approx size 14). Then I thought I was fat. Now I consider myself "an entirely normal weight". (I have found myself, still, unable to say "thin"). I have been lucky never to have yet suffered from depression, that must have made it all 100 times worse.

Its great to be increasingly able to enjoy clothes - choosing them on grounds of style or colour... rather than desperation of "something that will fit and best hide the bulges".

I can see the difference little miss. Both lovely dresses. Congratulations for doing so well so far

good evening. I am bolloxed, so just a quickie. lmd totally totally can see a difference

BIWI it's true what they say about my stick....

on the subject of tits, we all know mine are friggin bazookas, but last time I lc'ed for a year, I got down to a size 8 and had tiny little boobies - they were bloody brilliant.

I have sts this week. Feeling all tired and seeing a massive fatty when I catch sight of reflection. Hoping it's hormone related, and I'll have a lil ol' whoosh soon....

we'll see eh?

Night lovelies

LMD you can really see a difference. I think it is nice to have photos to look at because sometimes you don't really see it yourself. Your wedding dress is lovely.

Survived dinner with parents and brother, I was only asked to google one or two things ...brother gets too impatient so mum saves all the things she wants "googled" for when she visits me.

Was when mum said "those new trousers are really slimming......actually have you lost weight, I think YOU are slimmer" I also gave her and dad cauli rice and they loved it.

LMD I can see the difference, both dresses are lovely too. It definitely hasn't been for nothing, 2 stones is amazing. Honestly, having lost 5.5 stones the difference for me physically has been so great. I was in agony at my biggest weight, even at 12, 13, 14 stones I was in a lot of pain, it was very fatiguing moving around. Maybe people without health problems can get away with it, but we can't!

I am still in pain, I still have my health problems but I am noticeably better. The acute attacks of pain which used to last weeks are back under control in days, and I'm not getting so many of them. Every stone that comes off you will feel better.

Having your body change when you become disabled is devastating. I've found it one of the hardest things to deal with. I was very slim and athletic pre my disability. You are getting the control back and that is brilliant. I never thought I'd be 11 stone again. I never thought I'd be size 14 trousers (and 12 on top!). It is possible, and I'm sure every half stone you lose will make you feel better.

And trash, your boobies are magnanimous. I can understand why you'd miss small ones from a comfort level, but be proud of your very fine ones. Have you read Dear Fatty by Dawn French? There is the most brilliant chapter in there about her body and I love her attitude to her boobs.

Mine used to be bigger but I seem to have shrunk to a B cup. Which is nice in some ways, but I miss my C's. Mine seem a bit disproportionately small now.

Sayra great your parents noticed your weight loss!

Brilliant Sayra - whilst the people closest to you can get to you the most, they can also build you up the most. Your pole pictures just speak so much of your strength, have you got before and after of you, y'know, on the ground like normal people(!!)?

Thank you - all - I am grateful for the reassurance. When we got married, between operations, last November, I didn't (wouldn't/ couldn't) put full length pictures of me on Facebook. This holiday, there are full length pictures of me and they are on there, so something has shifted - the almost 2 stone as well as something in my thinking. Eva, you and others really get it, which is why this is such a supportive place to be.

Hello all - halfway through the week so have nearly survived week 3 .... I got my first payslip today - that helps

First would like to share ....I am in love with the fact that I don't seem to have sweaty inner thigh area .... Being hefty of thigh - I always hated that in the summer . It appears that more air is circulating [grin

Right .... What have I missed ..
lmd you have a waist .... Time to show it off . Time for fitted clothes ... < tries not to sound like odious gok wan>

sayra love it when people say the 'slim' word - rather than ' you look well' . While my DM always means fat !

trash - love your boobs .... I spend a lot of time and emotional energy wishing for the tit fairy to visit

trash if you have gone into a stall - maybe try BPC instead of brekkie ? Worked a treat for me

lowcatb sorry to hear you are in pain regularly - that sucks . Glad to hear it's a bit better.

Ps
londonMum sorry - no can do - am out in the sticks

Just a quicky because I want to sit in the sun for 1/2 an hour.

LMD well done - you can really see the difference and in your post you sound more positive and happy than you did at the start of the year if that makes sense.

Sayra you must be chuffed your parents noticed

Eva I agree with the separate BMI for boobies mine are going down a bit and I don't know if I've lost back fat or if the elastic is getting looser in my favourite everyday bra but I really want to get back to a DD. I dropped to a C after feeding DS and didn't feel right as I've always had a bust, even when I did the break up diet and shrunk to 7 stone and size 6 I was still filling a D cup.

Thanks Peony. I have EDS. It really is much better than it used to be thankfully. It's really exciting to think of getting thinner and really working on my strength. I'm dreaming of being able to walk a bit more (can't go that far right now). I had a period when I was younger of being slimmer and it was amazing how much further I could actually walk. I dream of being able to take off down a country track for half an hour under my own steam.

I had some lovely lamb chops for supper with herbs from the garden. It was lovely. I feel thinner again today! Some comfy trousers I normally wear are hanging off me to such a degree they will need binning soon. Woop!

I have been seriously trying to work out how I have managed to eat out so much in the last week or so and not put on pounds. I think it may be that I have have been so well trained in this WOE by BIWI that even when I can have whatever I want I am choosing the low carb option. No pasta, no risotto. Panna cotta for dessert or just a spoonful or two of a serious chocolate pudding. Maybe the few carbs triggered stunt's carb refeed?? I am not at a low BMI so I don't know if that applies to me. I have been low carbing for over a year. My goal is to look more like Nigella than Kate. Sorry, I am not trying to derail anyone, but encourage you than when you reach your goal weight that is possible to stay there and still enjoy life. I could probably lose another stone and look more like Nigella (I would need to lose 2 stone to look like Kate). As I said before I am not skinny but I now look like my curves are in the right places. I'm back on the usual routine, egg in a cup for breakfast, tuna salad for lunch and a low carb dinner fllowed by a glass of wine

been shopping for clothes in town today. It really does nothing for me when I'm heavier than I like. Dp said I looked haunted when I came in. Humph.

Nevermind. He also said that we can start planning weddingy type things for next year. (Although I have said he needs to bloody propose first ) And we're going to take a honeymoon in New York. I have never really travelled, so I'm utterly buzzing about that. In the past before we got together, I was either being a single mum, or having a shit life with my cunt family and getting wasted to ease the pain of it all. Now I am so lucky I have such a wonderful life. And I realised with a jolt, that, by the end of next year.... I'll be thin. Thin thin thin thin thin.

Other news. The trashpup nearly did shat on my bed tonight. I'd gone to get something from the other room and left her with dp for literally 30. Came back in the room and the filthy little madam was just curling one off! I properly shrieked and quickly put her out and picked up turd off my fucking sheet Grr. Snigger.

peony I'll give it a go. Although I'll have to get a stick blender.

Lowcarb I am being investigated for EDS. It's a fucker and an ongoing struggle. Big massive respect to you for getting your food sorted, and all the weight you've lost is incredible.

Big loves to ya'll xxxx

Hang on ...,, we need more of a ' ta da' and bugle with that news .... trashy ... ....
Can I just say ..... I am coming to this wedding in RL ..... Even if I am only allowed to sneak in the back hiding behind crabby !!!

LMD I will have a look and see if I have on the ground photos...I know I have underwear ones but not sure if I am brave enough to post those. I need a NOW one so I'll get OH to take one soon.

I agree with minny you do sound more positive now, I am very pleased about that It is nice to see people change, not only in weight but in their attitude to their health and just generally in their minds.

lowcarb it is lovely to feel thinner isn't it?! Also knowing that clothes will be too big and can be got rid of because you won't be that size again. For the first time ever I feel I can actually think/say "in x months I will be x (ish) weight" and I don't usually but I bought shorts the other day in a smaller size because when I go to Brazil in November I will be thinner and there will be no shorts in the shop. I am confident that they will fit (or be too big ) cause I went for ones that I can get on but not do up.

I hope you get your dream when I come on here and speak to people who are struggling so much with day to day life I realise how lucky I am and how many things I take for granted.

trash you realise that by posting on this thread you have in fact invited us all to your wedding?!

Thank you very much for your kind invitation, I will definitely be able to attend!!

I had a good night last night with friends though I was shattered this morning, I played badminton at lunch and after work then ended up running because we were late (pleased to see I ran much further and was much less out of breath that my much thinner friends ...is that bad!!). Friends loved seeing the horses racing but we only caught the end of the river crossing.

Made my BPC in secret this morning as one friend staying, I am not quite ready to tell people that I add butter to coffee! They all know I have cream instead of milk so one step at a time!

Off to day one of the Highland Show can't wait.

A wedding you say?

Hello my lovelies! Sorry for radio silence, have had a busy week or so.

Eva glad I've given you ample rabbit-refusal material. They are very cute and loving/lovable pets, despite the chaos they cause.

Luckily the fish confine themselves to flashing their fins at each other, rather than their walls of genitals at me. Tried to take some pics of them but they move so fast that it's hard to get decent ones. I might take a video instead.

Peony Fargo is excellent. Am rather sad it's almost over. This week's (penultimate) episode was soooooo tense!

All the scifi lovers... I reiterate about Orphan Black. It's a drama about cloning and it's bloody brilliant. The actress Tatiana Maslany plays 5 main characters (and several more minor ones) and her talent is such that you just totally forget that it's her in all the different roles. I'd say it's worth getting the first series on dvd or sky or something.

Notso your tale of getting stuck in the support garment and your tweeting DD showing such a lack of support made me !

Sayra love the photos... you're lookin' GOOD girl! So strong!

Stunt your midriff looks wonderfully toned and I don't know any men who would weep at your tummy!

LMD lovely to see you on here. I was wondering how you're doing and reading the main thread for news of you. I can definitely see a difference in your photos.

Lowcarb definitely don't let any men pee on you... animals yes - accidents happen, but humans? No way! Is EDS Ehlers Danlos Syndrome?

Please I reckon there's a lot more than a stone between Nigella and Kate - the latter looks like you could snap her in two.

Trashy a wedding!!! Whoo hoo! Not such good news about the incontinent TrashPup though. CrazyCocker would be out on her ear if she ever did that in our bed!

BIWI am I going to be seeing you at a certain wedding in August?

Someone asked after DD's legs recently, I'm sorry I can't remember who. They've healed really well, thank you. You can still see them and the skin is darker there, but they aren't scar tissue as such now, and have definitely faded.

I will be there, Crabby!

Congratulations Trash. A honeymoon in New York. Such a lovely thing to look forward to. Hope the tests turn out ok.

Sayra great compliment from your mum. Serving them cauliflower rice was brave! And that is a very bold shorts strategy. The thought of those shorts will certainly keep you away from any cheating.

Lowcarb losing 5.5 stones is really tremendous. And still going! Its great (but expensive) when you can really no longer wear certain large clothes isn't it. I'm so sorry you are so restricted in your movements.

Peony ooh great, goodbye to the chafing thighs of summer! Yes I can remember having to wear short leggings under my skirts, or I basically couldn't walk. (and GREAT to have first payslip.)

Minny I'm sure you have lost back-fat, this WOE is great for that. Cup sizes are relative to the back sizes, so if you go down a back size, you may need to go up a cup size.

Anyway having surveyed all the "I'd like my breasts bigger/smaller" comments above I reckon the grass is always greener on the other side as far as boobs go.

Please this thread is immune from being derailed, go right ahead, that's why its here! I've also just had tuna mayo salad for lunch which is - like you - a typical lunch for the straight-and-narrow days. I had a tiny amount of chocolate last night. But - like you say with small amount of choc pudding - that is SO restrained compared to how I used to eat, so it has got to be so much better than mindless eating.

Ha ha ha Trash imagine if we all crashed your wedding! Erm, I mean, Congratulations! It sounds a bit serious that you are being tested for EDS? Are you OK?

Crabby really good to hear that DD's legs have healed - though I'd still be a bit cross with your DP that the skin was slightly darker, I think.