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Another super-warm day for us today. It was 86 at almost 9:30, so I opted to shelve the walking and tackle the lawn instead. It really needed mowing and there just isn't a good time coming up, with highs forecasted to be mid- to upper 90's with an overnight low of about 70 - all week long!
The other day I mentioned I'd journal about the possibility of taking a break from weight loss and going on a maintenance regimen for a few months (which I'm not going to do, BTW).
The Atkins book mentions that people who have a lot of weight to lose might consider taking a 6-months' break (at least) and then resuming the weight loss path. There isn't much more detail than that written in the book.
For myself, it has been hard at times to stay focused on this WOE as a weight LOSS program. I started this back in late March of 2010 and have been at it ever since. This is certainly the longest I've ever stuck with a "diet," and the most weight I've ever lost at one time. Recently, I felt myself becoming a bit complacent. Not that I was eating off plan, but just making choices of some trigger foods that I knew would not help weight loss (might be OK in small portions in Maintenance, but not so great for OWL). I considered whether or not I should give myself a break and resume OWL in the late fall; 6 months later.
There's been a lot of talk about how a body gets accustomed to a routine and that one might need to change things to get weight loss moving, or keep it moving. I wonder if there's a point (different for each person) where the body just stops losing for awhile, specifically because it's been dropping weight over a long period of time. I'm not talking about starvation mode here, but just the body's way of realizing it's been losing weight, albeit slowly, and it just says, "Wait a minute, I'm not designed to keep losing weight month after month."
In any event, these are some thoughts that have been rattling around in my head for awhile. I'm NOT taking a break, as I'm actually pretty comfortable with this WOE and just have to watch those triggers. The weight is still coming off and with a tweak here or there, SHOULD be able to get back to a 1-pound loss per week.
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 Comments
Hard decisions! But I'm sure you'll make the right ones.
02 Jun 11 by member: BuffyBear
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We had warm temps up until today. It has been in the 80"s, but today it is only 50. WHAT A DROP!!! I believe that the body stops losing pounds so the inches can catch up. You have certainly come a long way and I too have stuck to this WOL for the longest ever. I would hang in there. I know you sure don't want to un-do all that you have done for yourself. Of course the choices are totally up to you. I know you will be able to get back to 1 pound per week if you choose to. Hope all continues to go well for you and you will get the support no matter what you choose. You can do it. Hang in there sweetie.:)HUGS:)
02 Jun 11 by member: LauPug1
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Hi Sandy, you have lost a great amount. PROUD OF YOU!! And changing things up does help. But I also think its a personal thing for each
person. You know your body more than any one so you can do this.. Have
a great evening....Bren
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Buffy, Laurie, and Bren...thanks for stopping by. It's onward and downward, right?
03 Jun 11 by member: Sandy701
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Sandy, you are doing fantastic. The decision is yours, and I sure know how frustrating it is to not lose for a while, but your overall trend is still downward! I have to say that my body did that for over 6 months, and then suddenly, a loss....I can't figure it out. I do think though that we reach set points where our body just stops and rests. Of course not everyone has that happen....some just lose right along until they get to goal. Lucky! I have been at this since January 2010, and it is the longest I have ever stayed with it. Of course it is a lifestyle change, but still, when I think about it I am amazed. Our temps today are in the 90's with heat indexes in the 105-110 range...finally turned on the air. Next week they are calling for 98-100 degrees with heat indexes of 110-115. Sheesh, from cold to hot in one fell swoop!
03 Jun 11 by member: ctlss
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Thanks Stef. You know what it's like having this weight loss thing a #1 priority for so long. Some days, you just want to take a break; not go off plan necessarily, but just eat healthy choices without feeling the need to log it all and assess it all and plan it all. I guess it's more mental tiredness than anything else. But I keep telling myself that soon I'll be less than 20 pounds from goal and that just sounds so do-able, compared to when I started! So I'll clear my head and press on! Take care in all that heat and humidity! Hope it doesn't build up any storms....
03 Jun 11 by member: Sandy701
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Onward and downward is right.:)
03 Jun 11 by member: LauPug1
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Sandy - you've come a long way, baby! Seriously ;) and no wonder you get tired, mentally and physically - this is not the easiest lifestyle change to be made, ya know? But I would encourage you to dig deep and reinvigorate your GOALS - and get re-inspired to get through one more week - then one more week. Before you know it, you will be at the end of this summer, and very likely almost to goal. Keep your eyes focused on celebrating each pound - it's hard work...so reward yourself! A new skirt, or a new bra, or even new flipflops... make it fun, and build back in some excitement about it! For goodness sakes you have lost nearly 70 POUNDS!!! That's tremendous! So clear that head of yours, and look yourself in the mirror - and tell that woman looking back at you that you are not ready to stop yet! Just a little further... you're almost there! Much Love.
03 Jun 11 by member: jsfantome
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Thanks for the pep talk, Paula. You're right....it's just a little further and if I can focus on one week at a time, one goal at a time, well, hopefully, the time - and the pounds - will just fly by! Thanks for all you do.
03 Jun 11 by member: Sandy701
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