One of the biggest concerns about weight loss is: what if I just gain it back? This pesky question haunted me, and I hear it often from friends.

My answer after a few months of living in the maintenance stage? Sure, the temptation is there to forsake new, healthy habits, but nip it in the bud! Deal with the issue early on this time instead of waiting until the weight has crept up and the body is weaker again.

Of course this is easier said than done.

My goal is to approach this issue with intentionality, but not worry. (Of course sometimes the worry creeps in, and sometimes I’m not intentional, but then I remind myself that life isn’t about my ability to live it perfectly every second, but to keep on track over the long haul.)

When I lost weight I purposely didn’t do extreme changes I knew would be hard to maintain. I tried to make it simple: move more, eat less. I chose a healthy support system, not fad diet pills, but products that were actually good for me and helped me build toward strengthening my body, not just weight loss.

Now that I’m seeking to maintain, I find these values are a part of who I am instead of something new I’m cultivating. Still, it is harder to hang onto their application when I’m satisfied instead of not. Last year I took long walks in all kinds of awful weather, but this winter it’s much easier to choose comfort over cold.

But a friend shared her trick, and it seems to be working for me. (It must work for her because she is one of those spunky tiny grandma types, full of energy and keeping the weight off!) Here’s what she does: She weighs herself daily. If she notices a weight gain, she cuts calories to 1200 for a day or two until she returns to her target weight. That way she nips weight gain in the bud, dealing with it when it’s a couple of pounds, not ten.

I’m still at the stage of life when weight can fluctuate around female cycles. I’ve given myself a target weight and allow fluctuation within 3 pounds without getting uptight. But if it pops up to 4-5 pounds above that base (instead of 2-3), I cut back on calories and increase movement.

I also don’t weigh daily like my friend does, but I make a point to weigh in every few days, so i can keep things in check. I usually know when I’ve slipped on healthy choices, even before the scale tells me. Sometimes, like last weekend when I spent some time away with my husband, I choose a short season of “feasting.” Back-to-back meals out are not common for us, and Jerry and I chose to enjoy the elegance of the fancy food at the Broadmoor (pictures coming soon!)–then came home to more realistic eating! Monday morning’s step onto the scale confirmed my need for it!

How about you? Any maintenance tricks?

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A plan to overcome the fear of gaining the weight back

PS Some of you have asked about using the BENew products during maintenance. Since the products are all-natural and healthy, you can use them long-term. I have friends who weren’t/aren’t overweight but use half doses of the metabolism booster because it’s healthier than a cup of coffee, boosts energy, and fights the unhealthy visceral fat that even skinny people have. Some choose to do the BEPure monthly cleanse for the health benefits, not weight loss. Those who were strictly weight loss focused and reached their goals have done everything from stopping the products to cutting them in half, to continuing with them. Many of them also now take Body Balance to support good nutrition and health. I’ve chosen to continue partial usage of BENew and take my Body Balance daily. Not only do I want to support the maintenance stage, but I feel good on the products and believe in their health benefits.

Tagged: benew, fear of gaining weight back, maintaining weight loss, Paula Moldenhauer, success, successfully maintaining weight loss, weight loss