Okay, the Weight is Off. Now How Do I Make it a Forever- loss?

Our habits are so valuable they’re like jewels

Pearl One

Hello fellow thrivers!

Several thrivers have let me know that they’re at their preferred weight and now what?

Well, in the bad old days, our default would’ve been, “I’ve lost all my weight! I’m officially off the diet! Bring on the weekend’s pizza and beer party!!”

But in 2024 we know better; because there is nothing “to go on” or “off.”

This is the moment when I stay super real with you: maintenance/preservation for me means checking my scale in the mornings to see if I’m staying within the four-pound window I’d set for myself when I first started preserving.

I had a friend who would stay on the WW’s points plan during the week, but allowed herself “to pig out” as she put it, on Saturday night. Her thinking was black and white.

But in our new default; there’s no “good” or “bad.”

There’re just choices: some better than others.

Here’s what I put into place for my first ten years of preserving:

First

Choose a four-pound weight-window that feels comfortable to you. Weight naturally fluctuates so be kind to yourself when you pick your range.

Second

Work with yourself gently, but consistently to breathe in about eight times a day: “I’m at my preferred weight and it’s okay. I can do this.”

Here the prefrontal part of your brain is soothing your inner cavewoman. You’re overcoming many years of unconsciously and consciously thinking, “I’ll always be fat and ugly.” So, breathe in: “I feel really comfortable at my new weight” often. I can’t underline this step enough.

Three

Habits are like precious jewels: lose one and it may be lost forever. You wouldn’t toss a ruby or emerald into the bushes. Revere your habits, they are valuable.

No matter what, don’t say to yourself, “oh, just this once.” “Just this once I’ll throw this diamond, it’ll be fine.” Cherish and keep your habits safe.

I learned this the hard way when I lost my giant-salad-for-lunch habit because of my new braces. It’s been difficult getting that salad-habit back in place. (I’m working on it, I’ll get there.)

Four

Make peace with the truism that staying on your eating plan is how a forever-loss works. When I first started maintenance there was no way I’d let myself (my cavewoman) ruin all my hard work (prefrontal). So, I stayed on my eating plan and just deviated a bit here and a skosh there.

Make your new mantra, “a bit here and a skosh there.”

Small bites work.

Of course today I wouldn’t eat a skosh when in a Mexican restaurant, but I’d take half of my Mexican plate home in a doggie-box. Re: the chips. I literally eat five or six. My habits are strong enough to eat only half of the meal, to eat just a few chips. If there are certain foods that you’ve learned trigger you to overeat, steer clear. Even in preservation-mode: steer clear.

I’ll write more about preserving/maintaining. These are the four pillars that I’d journal write about. Explore your feelings, thoughts and assumptions around these four ideas for preserving. And congratulations!! ♥

Pearl Two

As I head into my eighteenth year of preserving my loss, I should tell you that I talk to myself all day and evening long.

Drench yourself in these powerful thoughts.

“This time I’m protecting and preserving my loss.”

“Oh, hell no! I won’t eat so much that I’m outside of my weight-window.”

“Do I want those cookies or do I want to fit into a size-eight jeans?”

“Food is not my entertainment.”

“Great food choice!! “(When I choose smart food.)

“No ma’am, that food is not for us.” 

And of course, “a bit here and a skosh there.”

I love in Miley Cyrus’s song Flowers she has a line, “talk to myself for hours, say things you don’t understand.”

See? Talking to yourself is super power! ♥

Pearl Three

I’d love your input. And that’s not just blog-talk; I’m actually wondering how I should go forward. It appears as if Oprah and WW are cutting ties because she said in a People Magazine interview that the new “diet drugs” are good for maintenance. I guess that didn’t go over so well with WW.

It’s my thought that the new meds treat the symptom and not the cause. But I know how much we want to be slim, and I wouldn’t blame anyone wanting to give the med a try (to be clear, I’m not recommending meds). I mean, back in the day at my heaviest, I’d have taken out a small loan to try these new weight loss meds. (That said, I’ve of some really awful side effects, so proceed with caution.)

I’d love to hear what you think: in the comments below or to Wendy@theInspiredeater.com. And thank you! ♥

Pearl Four

I don’t mean to brag, but I’m getting much better at finding a rock-star book to recommend. Today’s beauty of a book is Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. I’d seen Yellowface on lists and Goodreads etc, but for some reason I thought it was sweeping epic type book.

Boy, was I wrong. I opened Yellowface, and was immediately pulled into the story. Two women go to Yale and both exit college planning to create a huge earthquake of an appearance into the literary world. One soars to the stars and lands on the best-seller lists, is showered with awards, Netflix deals and money. The other one tanks. The tank is jealous of the star and the story proceeds from there. Super good, you have to read it.

Yet another exceptional book worthy of book-dessert status. ♥

Pearl Five

Patience is waiting. Not passive waiting. That’s laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow — that is patience.” — Leo Tolstoy ♥

If you missed last week’s post it’s right here. And I’d love a follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

♥, Wendy

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