Long term maintainance

[MNetter15]

Is there anybody out there maintaining? I don't feel like I belong to any of the weightloss threads on here so thought this might be an idea for a thread.

I lost over 4 stone, taking me to a healthy bmi and maintaining relatively easily for over a year now.

My 'secret' (I get asked this a lot) is that I eat pretty much whatever I fancy, within reason on Saturdays and Sunday's but Monday- Friday I'm on plan, which is generally about portion control, limiting the bad stuff, no alcohol and exercising. I find that if I take my eye off the ball at all, even for less than a week, the pounds slip back on. It takes discipline, because I don't even break it for a bank holiday Monday.
I used to over eat/binge eat everyday, so this 'plan' suits me - I look forward to weekends when I can drink my wine and eat my family size chocolate yet keep my weight the same. I know it's probably not the healthiest thing to do, but it means I'm skinny, and surely it beats eating like that everyday

So, what's your 'secret'?

I don't have one yet... I'm just starting into maintenance, so ask me again a few months! I think, though, I'll probably try doing it the same way I lost the weight: moderate almost every day. I've pretty much quit drinking, and i try not to have days off (OK, once every blue moon maybe), because I find they destabilise me for days or even weeks afterwards. I kind of feel like I'm a recovering overeater, so Ive got to avoid that behaviour altogether.

Well done OP!! Fantastic balance there. Long may it continue for you! I added in a lot of exercise during the week, a written food diary (accountability works for me) and have whatever I want friday and saturday nights, sometimes sunday for one meal too. It could easily spiral but I never was obese so it may be easier for me as I have always only had less than 10lb to lose so my main focus now is lifting heavier weights, running further and swimming faster! All fitness related.

I'm a little relieved reading the replies, I was half expecting a flaming for admitting to binge eating

Just to say to both of you, one thing I noticed and found hard to get used to when I reached target, was the fact that I could eat more and not gain weight. I couldn't do that when I was losing it, or I'd have no loss. That's one of the perks of maintaining but not having to lose. It was confusing at the start, because I found myself restricting too much, and losing too much weight. I hope that makes sense

RunnerOnTheRun have you tried using myfitnessPal to log what you eat and your exercise? I found that a great tool in the early days and such an eye opener

No myfitnesspal is a direct contributor to binge eating. Admitting to binge eating is exactly why you have recovered, and have maintained by the way! Being obsessive over numbers is not for me. Simply writing it down on good old pen and paper is enough and knowing that what I eat is 80-90% fresh and wholesome food. Real food needs no counting or measuring! it is self portioning and satisfying.

I maintain by keeping a written food diary everyday, same as i did when i was losing weight but now if for example, i am going shopping i will go out for a nice lunch and know that i won't put weight on as i stick to my plan the rest of the time.
I also stopped weighing myself weekly, i don't need to live my life by the scales, i know what i eat and how i feel and it feels great knowing i now control my eating by choice!
I didn't go to any slimming clubs as i wanted to change how i dealt with overeating myself and felt like joining a club was in a way not taking full responsibility long term.

So if you enjoy being more relaxed over the weekend but you still stick to your plan during the week then its working for you.

MNetter 15 I do exactly the same! Am currently maintaining at 57kg and although I would like to get down to 54kg I find I can maintain by eating what I like at the weekends and being on a strict plan in the week. I know if I was strict at the weekends too I could lose more but love my wine!