I’ve mentioned the National Weight Control Registry before–a collection of individuals who have lost 30 pounds or more and maintained the loss for a year or more. Various researchers have studied these people’s experiences and written about their weight-maintenance success. Here you can read some of their findings.
Well, now I am eligible to join them, having gone from 162 pounds in mid-September 2003 to 132 pounds in April 2005. (Yes, you read that right–it took me more than a year and a half to lose it.)
By the time I get the questionnaire and respond, I will have maintained for a year. Woo-hoo!
I’m now 128 pounds and shooting for 125 next month, when I’m planning to wear a very foxy dress while singing torch songs at my brother’s wedding reception. That’s another story.
I’ve just submitted an info-request form at the NWCR website, and presumably a more detailed questionnaire will be mailed to me. I’ll keep you posted.
Getting back to the slow pace of my weight loss: The morality tale is, don’t be stupid like me and refuse to count calories. Don’t be stupid like me and say to yourself, "Sheesh, I don’t know why I can’t get off this plateau. I’m eating healthy; I’m working out. What gives?"
Newsflash: that’s a sign that you’re eating (albeit healthily) exactly enough calories to maintain your weight. Want to lose fat? 1) Exercise. 2) Count calories and write down the food value of absolutely everything that enters your mouth. 3) Eat fewer calories than you need to maintain, but don’t starve yourself. It works!
