Hi Yogi, never, it was such a hard thing to do so I feel for anyone still in the midst of it. Maintenance aint that much easier either....something for you all to look forward to.
Which brings me to my update. Was supposed to get this done last weekend but you all know how 'good' (NOT) I am at updating my own progress.
So 9 months have gone by since I decided maintenance was the place for me. In that time I have gone over my 60kgs a few times but at last weigh in (Saturday 11th) I was 59.1kgs which I have been for some time now. I always get suspicious when the scales read exactly the same, almost like they are stuck or something. Anyway, I am very pleased with that and having got back into the gym full on since May and my holiday I am feeling great. I don't seem to be as 'light' as I was before yet I can still fit all my clothes as well if not better so I am wondering if the new weights program has added some muscle. I have also noticed my hips are becoming slimmer at a quick rate. I can only think it is really the running that is doing that. I now have some size 8 jeans....don't freak out yet...they are not really size 8, that is the label says size 8 but I know they are more like a 10. Stupid sizes, I tried on 3 different types of levis and all of them were a different size so the cut determines a lot too.
Had a health check up at the gym a couple of weeks ago and I had had an increase in pretty much all of the categories with my biceps being bigger by 1/2 cm LOL, it gave me a laugh but I still think it is good. VO2 thingy (technical I know) was up by 3% in 7 weeks (don't really know if that is good but the PT was thrilled) which puts me up to 36%, she suggested 40% is really where I want to be. Again the running is helping with this and the nasty hill I climb on the weekends as part of my walk doesn't get me as puffed as it once did.
Running...well I am thoroughly enjoying this and now run 30 mins three times a week. That's 30 mins non stop folks! Woohoo, oh and I run slightly faster outside than I do inside. I did a 4.5 km run last Wednesday outdoors and got back to the 'start' point before my 30 min running playlist ended whereas on the treadmill I currently seem to do around 4.5 right on the 30 mins mark. I can't increase the time at the gym due to having to get back to work (how inconvenient

) so on the treadmill I will work on increasing speed and/or incline. Outdoors I can increase the time slowly if I like. My routine at the moment is 3 days jogging, 2 days weights and whatever I like on the other days. Usually one of those days is a good long walk with some nasty hills but I am hanging out for a bit of rowing action at the gym and may have to fit that in too. The PT has a bit of a mind set like me where weights are concerned as in none of this high rep low weight bollocks and the last change was to add another set to the routine but now I change the weight progressively over the 3 sets. That last one is HARD! I loves it. As part of the membership with YMCA you get a health check up with a PT whenever you like and that will include making any changes to your program. I guess it depends how interested you are in that sort of thing but since I am interested the PT I have really encourages me. She knows I like to feel/see a difference and that I will work hard towards that end. We change the program again in about 3 weeks.
So, how to maintain and 9 months does not by any means make me an expert. Weightloss success is considered in years not months. However, a few tips perhaps. Build habits that you can live with and enjoy for life. All that great effort you put into your exercise and eating will have to continue even into maintenance. I still exercise most days of the week just as before. I still eat very 'clean' during the week and have treats at the weekend. This way I get to 'have what I like' in moderation. When I went onto maintenance my food really did not change, I increased the quantities in some places so I wouldn't continue to lose weight but the types of food have not changed. I have made this my way of life.
I have blabbed enough and at some point need to get off my butt and do a new photo...I think I promised a levi photo! Take care all, keep up the great effort it really is worth it.
Loves ya!
