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| The cloud arrows indicate two paths-maintain or gain |
Willpower can eventually run out or get run over by stinking thinking. Effective problem solving and creating structure, and root cause analysis is a skill and may be used as a tool at any point. I problem solved the HECK out of my weight maintenance the first year.
I changed what I told myself and then took action. My talking head matched my action body.
The prior attempts at weight maintenance were key in looking back at the root causes of re-gain after loss. Problem solving. When I see other bloggers approaching weight maintenance mindfully, I am cheering them on that mindful path. Two recent bloggers (there are more)- Leigh at Poonpalooza and Kelly at Curvy Fit Girl have had major weight transformations. Life transforms after major weight loss- more than weight issues.
Structure, planning, good root cause analysis during the first year - in the form of walking the talking, AKA- getting my ducks in a row = success.
Here are the top root causes I had to address to make the first year of weight maintenance. Everyone will have different roots- so look for your own. I'll blog about each one over the next few months.
1. Root: boundary setting and self talk
2. Root: structure/planning
3. Root: choosing optimal foods for my body4. Root: Time management
5. Root: stress management
6. Root: prioritizing my mind, body, and health
What were your main root causes?
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| Hiding behind the plant was NOT effective- 2007 |
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| Tackling root causes, planning, structure works! 2013 |
The biggest root cause I had to address was emotional... my initial weight gain came when I was younger and not dealing with the grief and depression from losing my mother... as an adult, I started to regain because of stress in a relationship. I finally, FINALLY got my brain wrapped around the fact that stress/depression is my biggest trigger for weight gain. Recently, with the loss of my dad, I promised myself I would DEAL with the emotions and not eat them - it was hard, scary, sad and painful. But I am through to the other side, not heavier in body or spirit!
ReplyDeleteJeannete- it's so good to know what the triggers are, as hard as they are. I'm anticipating triggers due to the end of life issues for a close family member. I guess I won't know until it happens. thanks for sharing your story with us on your blog.
DeleteKaren, this is really good information. Ironically, at this juncture, I'm not really seeing that I would need it, because not only has this become a lifestyle change for me, it's also become a passion and purpose in life for me. Going primal is about more than eating to me. And what sugar and grains have done to me....changing that, fixing that...a true passion. There are no will power issues for me because I'm so personally morally opposed to those types of foods. But hey, that's just me. For those on more traditional eating / dieting paths, your information is totally spot on! Have a great holiday weekend!
ReplyDeleteGwen, I hear you on the lifestyle change- passion and purpose. I had no idea when I started into the paelo thing that it would become a whole new way of living. I really have become hooked on whole foods, the way I feel, and choosing to eat clean 95% of the time- with the 5% being non-triggering.
DeleteI knew in my mind that I wanted to do this, but at the time, I could not envision it. It's kind of exciting. So glad I understand the way that the food effects my body (and mind). Whole new world.
now your getting to the real big changes part. I wish you good luck. My current framework looks quite different than yours, but it likely cover the same material, broken out differently. It also keeps changing, as new issues emerge.
ReplyDeleteFred- so true. I keep an open mind about what I'll need to deal with in the future. Maybe I think I know, maybe it will surprise me. Eyes and mind open, total respect for the maintenance phase.
DeleteHi Karen - I'm planning to reach goal and begin maintenance later on this year. I am following a lot of maintainers to see what they do that is similar to each other and what they do that sets them apart. Either way, I'm not arguing with success.
ReplyDeleteVery, VERY good points. Sometimes it seems like maintenance might be even harder than losing.
ReplyDeleteKaki- Maintenance is different from loosing- different phases- as least for me- some easier, some more difficult. Learning lots- still. Just having a planning/structure sort of mindset made the first year easier.
DeleteMy body and my mind and my life have continued, steadily, to change all through my maintenance years. My biggest inner work happened after the weight loss, after a couple years in maintenance. Stuff that really needed to happen for maintenance (coping) to continue. Everything goes back to habits for me. The pattern of my daily life. Sure, habits in food and exercise, but mostly habits in life. Your categories are all good points. I look forward to reading as you write. You are very smart to break them down and write about one, or even parts of one at a time. I can see 1, 2, 6 being broken down into a couple posts each.
ReplyDeleteSo true Vickie, Habits- food, weight, thought, non-food, relationships, all interwoven. I'm thinking a lot about everything this second year. Good growth. As long as I'm mainly moving forward.
DeleteHi Karen - Once again your pictures add to your words. You've definitely chosen the right cloud - and the ducks look great - as do you in your recent picture.
ReplyDeleteKeep on doing what you are doing.
All the best Jan
Thanks, Jan! Will do. I take photos of all kinds of stuff ( a lot of fun for me). Now to keep adding key words so I can find the photos I need for the blog.... :) Karen
DeleteHi Karen, awhile back I asked to be added to your blogroll as a maintenance-blogger. Well, lately, I have been distracted and made poor choices and have gained. Not to the point of no return, but I am not happy with how my ducks have waddled willy-nilly and left the brood (or whatever duck groups are called). I had planned to succeed my first year with out getting to my scream weight, but at this moment I have passed that and gone on to the drop-and-give-me-20 weight. But all hope is not lost. I will not give up and thanks to reading your success and methods, I will get back to business. I just didn't want to have diet my first year. But, live and learn. Thanks for listening and for sharing your tools of the trade :)
ReplyDeleteTena
I hear you, Tena. I hit my scream weight about a month ago- the scale was bouncing around, it seemed to indicate I was ready to go up in weight off the maintenance plateau. Too many nuts? Not enough walking- not sure- but the low carb challenge has brought it back into steady.
DeleteGood luck and use whatever tools you need. Glad you are being mindful- that's half the battle.