Key's made it to Maintenance!

[Key]

Hi everyone! Since finishing up my refeeding I have pretty much kept myself tethered to Cohen foods... I just feel safer that way - and I have also learned that I feel physically better too.

Yesterday, Super Bowl Sunday, I went to a party at my best friend's house. I am not a football fan but I really felt like being part of a celebration. I knew I was going to drink wine and eat the food that was there (instead of bringing my own). I don't think I did too badly - I had two glasses of wine over the course of 8 hours (I went early to help get ready) and I didn't overeat anything. I sampled and grazed... and I think that's where I went wrong. It wasn't horrible food - no platters full of nachos or pizza - and I stuck to things that were made by hand (instead of bought). I drank water all day and night. So why did I feel like I had been run over by the garbage truck this morning? I believe my body didn't like the way I ate. I no longer think that grazing is the way to go - for me anyway. I feel much better with a small meal at one time than bites of food over the course of an evening. This is something to consider. I really feel that what Dr. Cohen says about the diet - that "food is your medicine" - is true even now. I feel so much better today (and not at all hungry, by the way) after having a zucchini pancake for breakfast and a bowl of cauliflower and chicken soup than I did yesterday. Yesterday I was never satisfied - I would be hungry, go eat a shrimp or two and stop... be hungry again in an hour or so and eat some black bean salsa on a tortilla chip... and get hungry again in another hour, etc. I'm glad I learned this lesson early on in my maintenance - I can't eat like this anymore.

Oh and the wine was delicious - a full-bodied Spanish red. I think it actually tastes better by savoring it than by drinking it right down. And two glasses was probably more than I should have had - especially given the way I ate. Maintenance is another learning process - I want to be a head of the curve on this one!

I like learning my limitations. I like it when food is my fuel and it does the job its supposed to do. The next party I attend I'll have to make sure that my food needs are met. I'm starting to really understand that I will always have food needs... not just the ones that Dr. Cohen prescribed for me; although having those to lean on for several months gave me the wisdom to recognize how much I really welcome restrictions. I know I won't live a life strictly of DC1 foods... that's not the plan nor do I think it's Dr. Cohen's idea of maintenance. I understand how foods are assimilated easier when taken in conjunction with other food (a glass of wine with a piece of cheese, etc). When I don't do it right, my body reacts by feeling lousy. I get it.

I am so thankful to the consultant who taught me about the 90% rule; "what you do 90% of the time is what matters". I was up to 129 pounds this morning... so I may turn that into the 98% rule for a while (smile).

Aside from the food and drink, it was fantastic to be told all night long how great I look. I will not apologize - I'm totally vain. I just loved it.

[val2zap]

Congratulations Key on making it to maintenance. YOu are an inspiration for all. I am very proud (and jealous) of you, your mental stability and stick-to-it attitude is wonderful. Stay on the boards, we will need your advice!

[KMac]

Hi Key,
Congratulations on Maintenance~ way to go!
I like the 90% life rule myself, a good guide & something to live by :)

[Sharon]

{congrats}

Fantastic to see that you have made it to maintenance.
Keep up that fantastic attitude and work on your "learning Curve".
You have every right to savor all those comments about how fantastic you look - you have earned every one of them.
90% rule is a great rule, - so realistic. 98% rule - sometimes necessary LOL
Keep up the great work and looking forward to catching your progress.

[Key]

Thanks everyone... if you haven't reached the maintenance phase yet, hang tight and stay deviation free... you'll be here before you know it. KMac... you should be here pretty soon, right?

Val - I'm glad you benefit from my ramblings... truthfully, I do it because it's a reinforcement for me. If I write it down I can make some clarity from my jumbled up thoughts. But if it helps someone else, so much the better! Also, I keep meaning to discuss your avatar - I just love those pooches, is that a corgi underneath those big ears??

Sharon, you've got a strong handle on maintenance. My plan is to be as successful at it as you!

[Dayanira]

Welcome to your "new home"!!! You made it!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Let us know what you are doing in this "new life"!
Dayanira

[Key]

Hi everybody,

I'm really trying to understand this maintenance thing... I'm having a hard time with snacks. It's suggested that we limit our fruit servings to one per day - and I usually try to work it into a meal. I know keeping busy helps with hunger... I need a hobby - my friend is supposed to teach me how to knit, I need to remind her! Dr. Cohen recommends processed cheese spread on a cracker - I try not to eat processed food so instead I bought some soft blue cheese that I can spread thinly across a cracker - the taste is strong so I won't eat too much of it. Any snack suggestions from the veterans? Maybe cream cheese in celery would be good?

I went for another bra fitting over the weekend - I strongly suggest that everyone of you do this! I did it after I lost about 40 pounds and it made a huge difference in my appearance as well as my mental attitude - it's a lift; both physical and emotional. I'm fortunate to have a bra store not so far from me - the women there know what they're doing and they sell me bras I should wear instead of the ones I want to wear just because they're pretty).
This time my rib cage was measured at 28.5 inches!! Can you believe that? I'm wearing a size 32 bra - never would have imagined it; at my smallest I was always a 34. Anyway, standing in the fitting room, semi-naked in front of a different mirror under creepy flourescent lighting, my body looked gaunt... scrawny and not as vibrant and healthy as I feel. I definitely need to start a serious work out plan. In response to this, I have begun my "push up initiative" - I am doing an increasing number of pushups every morning before I can have a cup of coffee. It only takes seconds... of course I'm only at 11 pushups - time will increase as my count increases. I used to just love doing pushups and dips... it's time to rekindle that love affair.

I weighed in this morning at 131... I'm not nervous but I would like to have a my weight be closer to 125 pounds. I understand that my weight is always going to fluctuate - and that maintenance is forever. It's just a matter of changing my mental software - once I get used to a new routine it will be a piece of cake... er, let me rephrase that- it will be easy. $: )

[KMac]

Hi Key,
I know what y ou mean about mental software- and re-programming. The weight will always fluctuate, water weight,PMS etc.. its not stressing about it and doing what needs to be done to get back to our happy weight:)
Together with our fellow maintenancers, we can figure this out

[Ms. CrackerHead]

Congratulations on reaching Maintenance! You have done well!:)

Snacking issue: crackers and cheese...when they said processed, I was confused, too. I would eat cottage cheese or a light mozzarella cheese or blue cheese, like you did instead of cheese whiz or some cheese crap.

I think if you begin to workout, you may find you need more food to maintain your muscle. You can have more fruit then and increase the amount of protein and carb ratios that you allow yourself. Just make sure to drop it down on the days you don't exercise.

And keep chugging the water down! That will always help.

If I had followed my own advice, I would not have needed this diet a second time! :(

Stay here to help...as you are a veteran of the 1st Personal Diet now!! Both you and Kmac are very inspiring, as well as Sharon, Dayinara, and JoAnn! :party1:

[Sharon]

Hi there Key,
As you will be discovering it is a whole new journey on maintenance, and the statement about reprogramming I think is so appropriate. And sometimes we will still have to reboot ourselves - I certainly did late last year - literally.
Snack wise - sorry I don't really - I have an apple at morning tea and some cheese if I really feel I need a bit of protein before tea, I find I have to be careful what I select as I trigger VERY easily into a feeding frenzy. I still have my days of meals out, corn chips and rum on the terrace, and making decadent cakes when I invite my parents for afternoon tea on the weekends, but I accept now that, these events are treats to be savored and enjoyed.
Hang in there and I am sure you will find the right path for you.

[Key]

Thanks for the suggestions, girls... I've thought that maybe if I need a snack I am not eating enough at my meals. I'm exploring this. It's like being on a tightrope - a little too much this way or that and I could fall. Maintenance is a learning process... and I am okay that this is how it's always going to be for me.

[Sharon]

I think you are well and truly on the right track and set to succeed with that one statement "this is how it's always going to be for me", its the acceptance of this I think is a large part of the battle within ourselves, I know it certainly was for me .

[KMac]

It's like being on a tightrope - a little too much this way or that and I could fall. Maintenance is a learning process... and I am okay that this is how it's always going to be for me.
me too- and thats ok, as they say in the coaching world," The best offense is a good defense"

[Dayanira]

Finding a healthy snack is a very wise thing to do. During the first months in maintenance I felt very hungry between meals, so I started eating a cracker with cheese: No good! I'm a fan of savoury things, so I couldn't stop eating cheese all day. Almonds (unsalted and roasted), if you eat 3oz a day it will actually make you lose weight, if you keep it at 3 oz. Again it was hard at the beginning, but now I can control myself and I think that's one of the safest snacks for me. The afternoons are really bad for me, so I tried to drink a lot of water and tea.

Once somebody told me to observe how skinny people behave in front of food. My co-worker is very skinny, she has been skinny all her life and I hadn't notice that at morning tea time she doesn't touch any cookie, muffin or crackers unless it's a special morning tea, she will go for the smallest but for the yummiest!

I think we still need to learn a lot from others who have never been fat!
Hugs,
Dayanira

[KMac]

Thanks Dayanira- I am going to try the 3oz's of unsalted almonds :)

[Key]

I'm afraid of almonds... I like them but fear I wouldn't be able to stop at three ounces. This is the kind of thing I need to gain control over - my lack of control. I also need to learn to eat consciously - I'm working on it. Once I master conscious eating then maybe I can attempt almonds and other nuts. I had a piece of cheese yesterday and it was gone before I realized I had eaten it - now there's a warning signal if I ever saw one! So now I need to make some new rules... like I eat only when I'm sitting down and eating is its own event - no computer or TV or reading while I eat.

[KMac]

Good idea Key, I like your new rules :)

[Aqua Eyes]

In regards to almonds and other nuts, I have seen them work where they can help to assist in keeping the weight off, but I could not control myself. I am finding it very difficult to control myself with many types of foods and just simply can't have them in the house until I figure out how I can maintain control over myself with these foods. I am looking at detaching from the desire for food, if that is possible. I agree with you 100%, in that maintenance is like being on a tight rope and it is difficult to walk that fine line.

[Dayanira]

Well, those 3oz of almonds should not be eaten all at once, of course! And at the beginning it was hard to stop at 3 oz! What I do now - when I have them in the house - is that I split them in 3 portions and try to eat them sparingly during the day. The first week I had a bag at home it was insane!!! I couldn't stop eating them. I think I've conquered that demon for now. This is hard ladies, so we must work it out together.

Take care everyone, we need to tip toe in maintenance until we figure it out!
Dayanira

[Key]

Hi Dayanira - I weighed out the almonds just to see how many were in 3 oz. and went back to read your post - glad you reiterated that it's 3 oz per day and not 3 oz per snack. It's ALOT of nuts! But, the almonds will stay in the freezer until I get a better bearing on maintenance.

Nice to hear from you JoAnn - hope things are going well for you!

[Sharon]

Hi Key,
Most of the time I have an apple or air dried kiwifruit, I find the apple in particular satisfied my need for "FOOD NOW", I would have been lost without my apples on the program.
Cheese is my other habit for maintenance ( will generally have cheese once a day with a salad, generally at lunch), either feta or fry up some halomi - MMMMM- sometimes a tasty cheese as a taste hit and snack when "I MUST HAVE" - my body seems to cope well with cheese despite its fat content - certainly better than carbs - I was a mouse in another life.

[Key]

I'm better with cheese (in measured quantities) than carbs too, Sharon. Bread is one of my triggers - I think nuts are too. Once I start it's hard to cut it off... so much easier not to start in the first place. It's not like I will never eat bread or nuts again... I need to find how they fit into my life now.

I have been drinking hot water - no lemon - before bed. Sometimes I think about tea but plain old hot water seems more satisfying; simple, comforting and I don't have to deal with a taste. I'm a big coffee drinker in the morning - and lucky for me I always drink it black. There's a little coffeeshop about a block from where I live, they roast and sell their own beans so coffee to me is special even if it's my everyday brew.

Although I haven't struggled with gaining in maintenance as some have, it is still a constant battle... no, let me use a better word. Instead of battle let me say it's a constant awareness. I don't want to fight with my weight any longer so I don't want to use terms that indicate I do. I accept that this is how I have to live - I have to be aware of what I put in my mouth and when I put it there. It's not difficult to do and it's getting easier with practice. Living as a thin person is so much easier than living as a fat person.

I like the concept of weighing myself daily now too. On this side of the diet I definitely see the benefit - if I'm up a bit I just pull back. It's another way to keep myself in check. I never weighed myself before - it was when I was at the doctor's office and I saw 230 pounds facing me that I started weighing myself - I had to get out of denial and face reality. Oh, and speaking of my doctor, I recently saw him for a health assessment for my insurance - I aced everything; cholesterol, sugar, blood pressure, BMI, weight.

[Aqua Eyes]

Congrats on Acing everything on your health exam Key. That is fabulous! It sounds like you really got this maintenance concept down. I'm will also get there. It will happen.

[KMac]

it's a constant awareness
Ain't that the truth!! lol
Congratulations on the good news from the Dr. :)

[Sharon]

Hi Key
Like KMac I like the statement "CONSTANT AWARENESS" - sounds more positive - excellent posting
You sound like maintenance is well and truly cracked for you - congratulations, you sound like you have graduated from Cohen

[Key]

Some friends and I helped another celebrate his birthday on Friday... and I completely spaced out on my cheese before drinking rule. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise because now I will not ever do it again... I GAINED 5 POUNDS OVERNIGHT! It's good to know how much that a little piece of cheese can do for me to prevent insulin from spiking and gaining weight. Also, I think eating the cheese also helps me have more control over how much I drink - I had three glasses of wine without even thinking. Fortunately I drank lots of water along with the wine. The cheese helps me keep a better control on my intake (alcohol as well as food) ... and probably would have helped me figure out I should have ordered some food... a couple of people ordered appetizer platters but there was not a even a lick of protein there. As you all know, I usually have no problem taking care of myself. So the bright side of this is that I now have the firsthand knowledge of how much that cheese helps.

I'm sure the gain is mostly water retention but I've cut out carbs and starchy vegetables - back to strictly Cohen foods for me (I primarily eat Cohen foods anyway - it's not a hardship). And wouldn't you know it - my scale needs a new battery; I currently weigh "Lo". I know the weight is going because I've lost the bloat... I had forgotten how miserable being bloated feels. Oh - and the chubby little bloated fingers! Ugh! Of course I've been making sure to drink plenty of water. I will never allow myself to be fat again ... I have gotten rid of my fat clothes and I will not have fat clothes in my house ever again! You are all my witnesses - I will be fat and naked before I buy any fat clothes... and let me tell you, that in itself is reason to stay slim!

[Aqua Eyes]

Key... ever since you told me about the cheese before wine drinking rule I have used it and it has served me well.

Like you, I predominantly eat Cohen foods and I am still measuring and keeping portion sizes close to my given program in hopes that one of these days I will forgo the additional whatevers that have kept or added the weight on. Each day I'm getting better at it. Reading this forum has really continued to keep me motivated. I find my grocery bill is better, my gut feels better (especially since you reminded me to take my probiotics, which I'm doing now regularly)... so I think I can manage to stay on the program at least 5 days out of the week, so when the weekend comes, one day of "off" plan stuff, like wine drinking, doesn't hurt me too much.

What's left for me to do is getting on a regular exercise program. This morning on GMA, they said that women really need to workout a full hour a day to maintain their weight!! I knew that, but thought it was only my body that fell under that requirement. Trying to find the extra 1 1/2 hours (let's face it... you need that additional half hour to get your exercise clothes on and afterwards to get out of them) is a real trick. :::visualizing me looking muscularly cut in a 2 pc swimsuit::: O.K... Anything is possible!!

[KMac]

Hi Girls,
Joann getting in a 2 piece.. good for you- I know you can do it. It is cold & rainy here in NY I don't think bathing suit weather will ever get here!
I agree Joann- the forum keeps me motivated too. thank Goodness you gals keep posting, I'd be lost without ya's. I wonder how the veteran dieters, who helped me out when I was starting are doing?
Have a great week :)

[Key]

That's such a coincidence... I thought about Phyllis just yesterday, wondered how she's doing. As I recall, Dayanira is on an extended vacation but I bet she'll be back soon. It is helpful to read the posts. I don't feel I should post like I used to as the "new kids" need to find their own ways and they have one another to gain experience from - but it's the same experiences.

[Dayanira]

Hi Key!!
I just wonder how you are doing! I hope everything is sweet (not literally!) with you!

[Key]

Hi Dayanira! Yes, all is sweet with me - my weight fluctuates all the time but I'm centered around 130 pounds and I feel okay with that. For now, anyways. It feels really empowering finally being in control of my weight - and knowing how to maintain control. I do feel like I understand how it works. It's the 90% rule my consultant taught me - the 90% of the time you spend being good makes up for the 10% of the time you cut loose.

I'm still a regular reader but don't post often ...the newer people have to learn just like we did/are doing. I am continually inspired by their honesty and dedication.

[Key]

Hi Everyone! Before I go any further I want to give a great big shout out to mamaduckling for her phenomenal success!! I am so excited for you to be on the cusp of a new way of life... you'll be just fine. You've grown so much during this process (it really is more of a process than just a diet, don't you think?) and you look radiantly beautiful. Congratulations.

I'm doing fine - gain a few and lose them but it's the consistency of getting on the scale every morning that cements me to my goal. May and June were a little out of control (my month of birthday celebrating and I helped with a wedding in June) but I'm doing okay. I have been doing a series of hypnosis CDs to make sure my new good habits don't slip away (drink lots of water, eat at regular times, get good sleep, etc)... if anyone is interested send me a note and I will tell you about them. I'm of the mind that if there's anything I can do to stay on this path then I'm going to do it.

For some reason, I bought a bike. I haven't had a bike since I was a kid, never had the desire. I bought it for something to do - not for fitness reasons. But guess what, I LOVE RIDING MY BIKE!! It's just a one speed cruising bike - I ride the trails and to work. It's so much fun and has been a reason for me to be more active. Go figure. I bought it simply for pleasure and I get that as well as a workout. I need and want to get back into weight lifting... my bod definitely reflects that I've lost 100 pounds... I sag. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I have a new yoga teacher who is lovely and lively and tiny and I love her to death. She has the ugliest feet I have ever seen. Something about this dynamic and beautiful woman with truly hideous feet has made me realize that imperfections are not what define us... UNLESS WE LET THEM.

I've been trying to get my head around something that may even be hard for me to verbalize but please bear with me because I'm going to try... when I lost weight I also lost a dark shadow that's been suffocating me. I know that being fat has always made me feel like less of a person; less important, less noticeable - less in every regard. Since I've lost the weight work is better, I'm certainly more confident, people treat me differently. I'm still the same person but things are different. I hate that society treats fat people differently than slim people but I know firsthand that this is true. But is this because I projected a "less than" image so that's what I got? Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Would love to start a dialog.

I'm going to change my avatar picture... and I'm going to try to post a picture of me in a fantastic vintage dress I got to wear to that wedding (the bride also loves vintage clothes... I gotta say that my dress got as many compliments as hers). I'm happy - I hope you're all doing well and enjoying summer.

love to all,
Key

[Aqua Eyes]

I am so happy for you Key!! I also bought a bike last year at the end of my program and really got into long distant riding. Recently I wanted to ride it to the grocery store but had to change one of the tires. I was so proud of myself that I did it all by myself...change the tire that is. I really need to get myself out there and ride more often, I know.

In regards to how people treat you when you are fat vs. thin... it is too true what you say! I was never taken seriously when I was overweight but when I lost the wieght I got tons more respect and people are actually coming to me now, where as before they kept their distance. Getting my hair straightened was another eye opener. More guys pay attention to me now that I have the straight hair then when I have my curly hair. It's amazing how your appearance can affect how people treat you. It's unfair that they should treat you less than what you are if you aren't at your best. Interesting how superficial our society is, isn't it?

[Banjo Lady]

Key,
I could hug you….as a matter of fact, come here, let me hug you! YES, I have to agree with you that I do think society views the overweight as a little “less than”, but at the same time I believe that what we project we get. I would call that a chicken/egg combination (which came first?). I read this quote recently by Geneen Roth that struck a chord with me, “When you believe in yourself more than you believe in food, you will stop using food as if it were your only chance at not falling apart.” Once I stopped using food, I found confidence.
Thanks for being an inspiration……we’ll see you in maintenance soon!
BL

[Sharon]

Hi there Key,
so great to hear form you and how well you are doing - it is a real inspiration to know how life is treating you and how you are treating yourself.
Keep up the great work.
Sharon

[KMac]

Hi Key,
How are you? :)