Happy Sappy Alert!!

Today is a big day! ONE YEAR AGO, on March 15, 2012, I reached my goal weight!

HAPPY GOAL DAY TO ME-EEEEE-EEEEE-EEEEE-EEEEE-EEEEE!!

I have maintained it a whole year, 365 days!! A year of maintenance; I really did not believe I would get to this place. I anticipated bumps & sharp curves in the road and I kept expecting to fall off. Thanks to the amazing supportive community/family that has surrounded me, both online and in person I’m celebrating. I look to my mentors of long term maintainers on this forum (Judy, Glenda, Demi ) for guidance and strength that I CAN DO THIS!

Yes, I have weeks where I fluctuate and gain a bit. When that happens, I find that I make little adjustments to get back to where I want to be. It's a continuous process, one that needs to be an on-going conscious effort.

I have settled into a range that is good for me and when I see things creeping to that upper limit of the range, I know that I have the tools to make changes before things get out of control - and it's up to me to use those tools.

This past year has made me think hard about how important it is to constantly work to keep myself motivated. I have to keep it fresh and new with different recipes, new spices as well as adopt the attitude of a successful maintainer and think and live like one. I continue to read and explore new things about my health and lifestyle. I have switched gears from a "work"-life balance to a LIFE-work attitude.

There is no such thing as immunity; I know I must maintain a certain level of vigilance for a lifetime. It all boils down to decisions, choices and the right balance for me!

The last 12 months have been a process of finding my way into weight maintenance. I had to figure out what "maintenance" looked like for me. How much more food should I/could I eat? How much exercise was enough? How much should I let my weight fluctuate? For the most part, I think I found my “sweet spot” (pardon the pun) but this, is no way is a declaration of long-term success; I am a continuous work in progress.

Do your thing. Be happy with who you are. That's what is important. I wasn't happy with who I was or where I was so I took steps to change my situation.

This is who I am now. This is how I live. This is how I eat. These are my priorities. This is non-negotiable….but I know it’s not the end of the war…......however today I acknowledge and respect the good low carb soldier I have become and celebrate!

Positive change is not a quick, linear process. Be patient with yourself and remind yourself frequently of all the benefits you are enjoying from being leaner, one pound and one inch at a time.

Onward and Forward, I AM POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Maintenance Birthday, Chris.

Your post is an inspiration. You are one of the maintainers I look to for advice and guidance.

Well done! As Whofan said, people like you are a tremendous encouragement for those of us still on the journey! Congratulations!

Happy anniversary! Your maintenance story is super inspiring!

Congrats on your 1st year( of many) of successful maintenance, Chris!

You write about this so well...thank you!

especially this:

Yup!

Thanks for posting your experience, Chris. It's so helpful for us Maintenance WannaBes. Congratulations on your loss and, even more, your maintenance!

Well done, Chris. You deserve this success. Long may it continue. Thanks for the encouragement.

Congratulations!

A well deserved congratulations to you!!

You really are such an inspiration to so many. I know for me you have been a total rock to me along my journey. LOVE that you are celebrating your first of many years of low carb, high fun journey. Three cheers for Chris!!!!

Awesome! I am (was) a yo-yo dieter and have finally realized that this needs to be a LIFESTYLE! Good for you, I hope to be where you are in a couple of years.

You're a good influence and very inspirational! Super congratulations on your maintenance. It's great to know that it can be done!