How difficult is it to maintain (1-10)

[Anonymous]

On a scale from 1-10, how hard is it for you to maintain a weight that you're happy with?

1= easy, barely think about it, need no effort
5= think about it daily and need to deny yourself a lot, but can handle the challenge
10=painful, stressful, feels impossible, is impossible

Feel free to change your qualifiers as needed.

[Anonymous]

I'm solidly at a 4. I understand I'm making certain sacrifices, and I'm okay with it for the benefits I receive - mentally, emotionally and physically.

[Anonymous]

3. A cardio-related hobby is a huge part of my life, and I eat generally healthy/don't snack between meals. And I'm young.

But I also know my limits and there are certain foods (sourdough bread!) I just do not keep around in large quantities.

[Anonymous]

3 - I have a good exercise routine that I don't have any trouble sticking to. I like food but cooking at home is both healthier and saves us money. If I needed to lose another 5-10 lbs, this difficulty would move up to a 5 or 6. I'd really have to count calories in.

[Anonymous]

7 or 8. Think about it way more than I would care to.

[Anonymous]

10. It's been impossible for me. I lost 60lbs, and gained it all back + more. Then I lost about 80lbs. Have gained it back again (fortunately not more this time).

[Anonymous]

3. I have a great exercise habit now that I really enjoy and I generally enjoy healthy foods.

[Anonymous]

1. Food doesn't really motivate me, and I don't have a sweet tooth. I eat for fuel for the most part.

[Anonymous]

I enjoy working out hard and do it daily. Doing that I can maintain a weight about 10 lbs above my ideal without almost no effort at all. Can pretty much eat whatever.

But I finally reigned in my diet and lost those last 10 this year and surprisingly feeling pretty good. In the past when I've got down this weight I always felt like I was hanging on by a thread and constantly thinking about food. I think the key is that I've finally found the right maintenance diet for me with the correct amount of carbs/fat/protein to keep me satiated. And I eat the same things every day. But eating like that allows me to enjoy a meal out and couple drinks here and there without gaining or feeling guilty afterwards.

[Anonymous]

6 but I’m over 50. When I was younger I probably would have said 2.

[Anonymous]

10

[Anonymous]

3. I've maintained a 60lb weightloss for a decade now.

The key is having a routine and sticking to it. This routine started when in the process of losing weight, and I carry the same habits today. They include: exercise most days of the week (beyond just walking), bulking up my meals with extra vegetables, minimal eating out, but never restricting myself. I just try to watch my portions for the junky stuff. The habits are sustainable for me, and thus the "maintenance" has been sustainable.

[Anonymous]

10- lost 20 lbs 4 years ago through sensible diet changes and exercise and even while still exercising and watching my diet I gained it all back and then some.

[Anonymous]

3 - I’m a lifelong athlete and genuinely enjoy working out. As part of that, I have an overall fairly healthy lifestyle (enough sleep, nutritious food, no smoking, etc.).

All that said, I also have three children, and it is FAR more important to me to model body acceptance and healthy habits than to be thin. My sister and I both struggled with eating disorders when we were young, in part related to our parents’ obsession with size. Not passing that on.

[Anonymous]

10

I have been a "lifetime" Weight Watchers member at least 4 ties (eating Ihit my goal weight). Every single time, I've gained back 20-30 pounds.