My "VACATION" Fiasco!

[salmam1]

I feel that I need to explain this for all of the newbies. We don't condone whining or going Off Program, so I feel that I need to post this for all of our benefits.

1. I am a Lifetime Member and am on Maintainance. This means that, I have more points to work with on a daily basis than those of you that are in losing mode for our same height and weight.

2. When I went to NY in June for my FIL's funeral, I was running the hills and injured my right knee. I couldn't do any major activity, other than walk, and not briskly either, for most of the 2 weeks. I also couldn't get into a gym there, because there wasn't one that was close enough that I didn't have to pay an arm and a leg to use. I usually put in 3-4 days a week at the gym on 1 hr circuit training with weights and run 3-4 days a week. The running usually is for, at least, 45 min up to 1.5 hrs.

3. My maintainance range is somewhere between 30-40 pts per day, depending on what and how much activity I am doing.

4. This is the important factor:

I stayed at between 27-32 pts per day, the entire 2 weeks.

I thought it was low enough without the high activity level that I was use to. I had no access to scales and my clothes felt fine. I did, however, consume a lot of my points in Wine. I probably drank 3-4 glasses a day. My MIL was grating on my last nerve and I didn't want to kill her, so soon after my FIL had passed away. graemlins/crazy.gif

So, what I learned by this experience is:

1. No matter how well you know the program, Maintainance is a whole different ball of wax.

2. I can't drink 3-4 glasses of wine a day for 2 weeks, and not gain weight. Even if I am still within my points range.

3. When I have an injury that keeps me from running and doing the HI activity that I am use to doing, I must drop down into losing range to maintain.

4. I need to maintain my weight training to help with my metabolism.

5. Lastly, sad but true:

I must have absolutely no metabolism! It stinks, but it is reality and that's the way it is. I'll just have to suck it up and go on! LOL LOL

So......... I have never gone Off Program. I just didn't adjust my Maintainance Range to reflect the decrease in activity level. I'll know better next time. I hope that it won't happen again, but if it does, I'll handle it differently.

Like the song says,

"Life's a dance, you learn as you go,
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.
Don't worry bout what you don't know,
Life's a dance, you learn as you go."

Thank you to all your prayers, love and concern! Y'all are the best!

xoxoxoxox
Sal graemlins/bcbsalute.gif

[cpeterson]

Sal,
I have a saying "A point is not a point". When I say that, I am telling myself that the points I spend for a rum and coke are not the same as points spent for protein and veggies. So it comes down to a choice thing for me.
You are so smart and I'm glad you have figured out what you have to do. BTW, I probably would have counted the wine as medicine, since it prevented you from committing murder or Hari-Kari.LOL

Cinna

[skruggie]

Well, on the topic of "all points are not the same", something very perplexing is happening to me.

I did a little experiment last week and I majorly cut back on my refined sugars, limiting myself to 3-4 points a day, as opposed to the 7 I normally spend on sugary foods.

Well, to my complete chargin I stayed exactly the same on the scales. Feeling really frustrated, I went back to my normal habits of eating whatever I want that's in my point range - with the exception of a very frustrating yesterday where I ended up going over 4 points in Snickers (I so should have stayed away from that snickers vs. fruit thread!)

Well, once I started eating sugar again, I lost! And I don't mean a tiny loss, I mean I've consistently been losing the past few days, with a real woosh this morning.

So the conclusion I'm coming to is that my body expects and wants what I've always given it, which is processed carbs and refined sugars. I've decided to just go about my business the way I always have been and not worry about what I put into my points specifically. All it did was make me incredibly cranky and did nothing for the number on the scale.

I know there's always the health part, but I'm not concerned about that - it's all about the number on the scale for me at this point in time.

But still, the whole sugar/low-sugar thing makes absoltuely no sense to me at all!

[lindalou9]

Skruggie -

As Sal says, "you learn as you go!" Refined sugars are poison to me! I have a high level of insulin resistance. If I eat sugar, my body tries to store it as fast as possible. Sounds like you don't have a problem with sugars, so what works for you is not to limit those foods (although I'd say stay away from the Snickers, especially if you went over points! ;) ).

Linda graemlins/bcbsalute.gif

[Bkindsm]

Sal, Life happens, and it will always happen. This is a lifelong journey and there will be ups and downs thoughout our journeys. We can only do what we can to keep it in check, and to not ever give up in this life of maintenance. I hope you understand what I am saying, coming from someone who has been and still is there(but lately making great srides...patting myself on the back :D You are doing a fine job, and it will get easier, as we understand our bodies better, but there will always be those bumps that bring us back to reality.

[WhereForArt]

Sal, thanks for sharing that -- and you're totally right! But doesn't it just BITE THE BIG ONE not to have a raging metabolism? Pisses me off that I was not blessed with one either... :D

[nancyny]

Sal, it is so true that maintenance is its own ball game, and the rules are different. You can be adjusting your points day to day, week to week, depending on activity and other factors - including what happens to your weight when you follow a certain plan. It's a lifetime of learning.

You had a plan, you followed it, you went several weeks without a WI because of the circumstances but used the best feedback available (your clothes), and now you have the result. And you've learned along the way. That is really what Lifetime is about!

Keep your head up, you'll do better! At least your MIL lived to tell the tale!

[GrahamCracker]

Sal:

I know you are doing all the right things again and are back on a normal schedule getting your exercise, etc. Although you were never off OP, just being out of our normal routines can de-rail the best of intentions! Here's some ********{skinny vibes}}}}}} for your WI. I hope that mean ole metal monster is nicer to you than you think it will be! So, in the words of this amazing, wonderful woman I know, "suck it up, life happens!!" And this too shall pass! :D

It was a great learning experience and will help you be strong the next time you find yourself in a similar situation. Thanks for sharing, this will also help all of us when the time comes. Take care!

[Tinatulips]

Sal,
Thank you for posting about maintence. I lost weight and kept it off for 8 years. keeping th weight off was the hardest.

[dachshundtales]

Sal, Your a trooper. You found out what can and what you cannot get away with is all. And you knew murder wasnt one of them. ;) . I dont have the matabolism I did as a teen or young adult either. I have never been able to eat high on the pt. range for LT. I hang around that 20 to 23 pts like glue. unless I have been real active like you said and even then for me its never higher than 28 ! Sucks don`t it. But thats life. Your knee will get better and at least your not recouping in the slammer on murder charges! :D

Donna

[frustrated]

Sal: graemlins/wave.gif

I just wanted to say thank-you for youre post. I knew nothing about maintainance before you wrote this. I'm sorry for youre struggles graemlins/ugh.gif this last little while but if it's any comfort know that someone else learned something from them as well.

I think I still have about 15-20lbs(CW 130) before I reach my GW but it's something I want to be prepared for when it does happen.

So thanks for being honest and teaching me something I did'nt know before. The song is definatley right I am learning as I go.(what a great feeling is'nt it? smile.gif )

Chrysilis :D
(Janice)

[FirstCavWife]

Commando Sal,
I'm so glad that everything worked out for you. I am 7 lbs away from doing the maintenance thing and it's has me worried!!! I feel so much 'safer' (if that's the right word) in losing mode. Like I know what I'm doing. Maybe because the rules are more set in stone...I don't know. I'm just really worried about Maintenance! I do so much better in a very structured environment than I do left to my own devices....which is what Maintenance feels to me. UG!!!
Every post like this is a learning experience for me though! (Besides, I found out that I'm not the only one would like to throttle MIL. My MIL ***STILL*** hasn't even bothered to call to wish Christopher Happy Birthday!!! :mad: They rarely are ever bothered though!)
I'm so glad you didn't gain too much!! Talk about walking a thin line...it was panty thin!!!
-Dawn