For some time now, Demi has encouraged me to join this thread. I came to this site a long time ago when I was first doing Atkins. Following a low carb diet provided a huge health benefit and I lost a lot of weight, but for various reasons I ended up putting a lot back, so when I hit a big plateau last January, I knew it was time to try something new, I followed a meal replacement plan until I lost all the weight, got to target, and found myself slimmer than I've been since my teens. I am delighted to achieve something that I thought was beyond me, but now it is time to move through the final stage of the maintenance programme and start finding my own way of eating. It will definitely be low carb, probably lowish fat, and I know exercise is a non-negotiable necessity though I'm not a gym person, walking and dancing suit me better.

So for now I'm just saying hello, I've been reluctant to sign up because I didn't feel I was really a maintainer as I've only just hit target but now believe I need to have some accountability and a source of wise advice if I hit any problems.

Vanessa

WOW!! Yayy for you Tortie aka Vanessa....and very nice to meet you!

Big congrats on making it to your goal weight.
Please do join us in our weekly maintenance weighin. You certainly meet the required 90% of goal!!!

I really miss Demi. Have you spoken with her at all?

Congratulations! You must feel so proud of yourself! I hope to join you in maintenance land someday!

Thanks for the welcome - Judy - I have spoken to Demi recently and she seems to be doing amazingly well - as always an inspiration to me. It was her example that got me onto my food replacement plan and kept me persisting - she showed me it was possible to lose and maintain. Now I just need to learn the skills to maintain myself and find the balance between control and relaxation, just believing I'm seeing me in the mirror is still a struggle - and a joy after a lifetime of being overweight to be able to go to the doctor and not have "the weight" thing hanging over my head is amazing. Love it and want to keep this new freedom I have got.

I'll stop now. But it is great to be here.

Welcome Vanessa -- it's a real pleasure to meet you! Yes, maintaining is a whole 'nother challenge, but we have learned, we have the tools, and we are up to the challenge! As long as we don't get complacent, we should be just fine.

welcome to the rest of the story-
maintaining!
E