Maintenance-it never gets easy-but it does become habit!

Here we are on the cusp of a new year. And we've just finished a few months of overindulgence. And you, like me probably feel it! Yesterday I emptied the candy bowl and put it away. So today, WHAT?!?!? NO mini York peppermint patty every time I pass through the foyer? (Which interestingly, I really never pass through my foyer unless the candy is there!)

I do not live in denial, I live with moderation. So, yes, I do eat some things on occasion that are not the best nutritionally. I also exercise regularly which helps keep the pounds at bay.

Today I realized something. 1) I did not gain weight during the holidays for the 4th year in a row. MASSIVE accomplishment for me! 2) what I need to do to stay the same weight now comes naturally for me- ANOTHER massive accomplishment! Notice I never used the word EASY in these previous statements. I just naturally knew "enough was enough" and cleaned out the candy. I also got off the warm couch and dragged my sorry butt outside in the 40 degree weather to go for a run-didn't want to, but knew I had to. AND I JUST DID IT.

I hope this helps some of you newer post ops to see how important lifestyle changes are to long term success-this journey is not easy, but it is doable, and can become habit after a while.

Thank you for this post!!!

Perfectly said Kim! (From NH where it is 24 degrees with 6 inches of snow on the ground)

No, easy is not a word that I would use either. I have gone through 5 holiday seasons without gaining and don't feel deprived at all. AND......none of that ugly post holiday feeling of guilt and shame for over eating both publicly and privately.

Martha

Well said.  I would also say that maintenance is definitely not easy.  Easier than controlling my weight before surgery, to be sure, but still not easy.  It is, however, what I know I need to do in order to keep my weight where it is, and -- as you said -- it is somewhat natural now.  (This is my 6th holiday season, but my first holiday season I was less than 4 months post-op and experienced my first dumping episode with some pumpkin pie filling.)  

The temptation to grab another handful of M&Ms, to have a bigger slice of pie (I never eat the crust, though) or add more real whipped cream, to take a second cookie, etc. are ALL still there.  The difference is that now I have a number of years of successfully navigating the holidays under my belt (two pounds is the most I have ever gained after Christmas) and a number of years of learning what keeps my weight stable and what causes it to creep up (especially because of my bad knee).  

Hopefully, this time next year I will be able to exercise much more with my new knee (my right knee will still limit me somewhat, but not nearly as much as the bad one does currently).  You will still NEVER see me running, but hopefully will see me back on the elliptical machine (and maybe even sweating!)

I still have two gingerbread Scotties in the kitchen.  Then my Holiday indulgences are over.

Lora

Just gotta say that 40 degrees sounds heavenly. They are predicting a high of 4 tomorrow. No, I did not forget a digit. That is a lonely, single 4. And we have about a foot of snow. Yes, I choose to live here - but not for the weather, that's for sure!

 

Thanks for this post! Its nice to know that a few years out, life can be "normal" in a whole new way!

 

Amy

Minnesota. Ugh. I was hoping winter would slide past us again this year. But alas....this IS minnesota.

Thanks for this post. It really shows that long term success is possible, but that the hard work cannot end with the honeymoon. Congrats on your hard work and maintenance.

Thanks so much for this post. My surgery is in 8 days and sometimes I worry about exercising. I've been diagnosed with RA recently at the tender age of 31. The pain is something I wouldn't want to wish on my worse enemy. But this surgery is  a second chance at life so by any means necessary.... Exercise, Exercise!!! =)

I am so glad that I am not alone with this.. I am in Maintenance and it is still a battle to keep on track. Old habits will jump back on you if you don'****ch what you are  doing. But like it was said in the earlier post it is doable.  Hope everyone has a very Happy and Healthy New Year..

I removed all the candy and goodies also. I did gain 3 lbs from Thanksgiving til the day after Christmas. I was ok with that and weighing today I'm just 1 lb above where I want to be....thankful for my surgery as before WLS I would have put on the Holiday 10.



Maintenance does take work but it is doable.