The 5 Most Important Steps to Maintain Your Goal Weight (Page 2)

1. Be Patient With the New You

“Weight loss delivers all kinds of physical, mental and emotional benefits, but the reality of a sizable weight loss is often very different than the fantasy,” says Fain. “Like everything else in life, it’s a mixed bag.” For instance, it might take some time to adjust emotionally to what you’re seeing in the mirror. Shopping for clothes, eating in public or encountering old friends who haven’t seen the “new” you may spark anxiety for some people.

“It’s very important to cultivate self-compassion,” Fain says. If you feel anxious about going out and socializing in your new, improved body, remind yourself that “you’ve found your way to a healthy weight, and now you’re finding out how to get comfortable in your own skin,” she adds. During this identity shift, show yourself the same level of care and compassion you would show a best friend who’s going through a big life change. (For more advice on adjusting your sense of identity as you lose unwanted weight, read “Your Body, Reframed.”)

Next: know your triggers

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Zazgyva A.

9:56AM PDT on Aug 1, 2012

good info, ty

August 1
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Dale O.

8:23AM PDT on Jul 31, 2012

Interesting article as one has to be very careful about setting oneself up for disappointment in the long run especially if some follow fad style diets and then give up.

Some I know are compulsively obsessed about weight, it controls almost every thought and deed, a constant put down of themselves and resentment of anything representing fat including hatred of obese people as it reminds them of their constant obsession of weight.

Eating mindfully at meals is wonderful, savouring flavours, abundance and taking one's time is relaxing and comforting.

However the idea of avoiding the TV/computer at meal times depends on the amount of space one has. If the dining room is in an actual room or at the kitchen table it is much easier, but if one's table is in front of the computer and TV where the chair is, well...one can multi-task especially when the blind cat likes the sound of the TV on as a location beacon. She prepurrs it tuned to the TV-Nature radio where the crows are cawing and the birds are singing.

Compulsively hitting the Add Comment button is also obsessive, or an easy way to gain 20 points and if the comment doesn't take at first, it will be there if you return an hour from now to check...once you see the 20 butterfly points fly off, the comment is done. You may not see it for eons but it is there even if you hit the button 2 or 3 times. 15 times... is...well this is a constant with some! Counted 15 times in the "Thx!" escapade, repeated behaviour elsewh

July 31
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Barb M.

6:44PM PDT on Jul 24, 2012

Thanks for posting!

July 24
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Sarah M.

5:28PM PDT on Jul 7, 2012

thanks

July 7
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Abbe A.

6:19AM PDT on Jun 25, 2012

June 25
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Winn A.

6:38PM PDT on Jun 12, 2012

Thanks for the info.

June 12
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Laura M.

11:33AM PDT on Jun 12, 2012

I'm not exactly trying to lose or maintain weight but I'm trying to get in shape, and it's really frustrating not to see results quickly. It's especially frustrating that I'd actually LIKE to be doing more but my job demands I sit still for 8 hours a day and my home demands I take care of my aging parents and their aging house so I barely have time to do anything else.
Thanks for the info! Anyone have tips for my particular situation?

Past Member .

4:15AM PDT on Jun 12, 2012

Thanks for the info

Harshiita S.

9:53PM PDT on Jun 11, 2012

Thanks for the post!