This is the most frequently asked question I get. How did I keep from gaining the weight back after doing the ABC?
It’s been over 2 years since I did it, so I think it’s safe to say that I kept it off. In fact, I weigh less now than I did when I finished the ABC diet.
The “secret to my success” is that I made a lifestyle change. You have to do this in order to maintain your weight loss.
The thing is, it was easy! My stomach/appetite are so much smaller than when I was overweight that I’m satisfied with smaller portions.
Here are a few (more) tips!
- I count my calories, kind of. I calculated how many calories a person my height/weight/age needs using myfitnesspal (one of many websites that will let you do this for free). When I first came off ABC, I would count to make sure that my meals were keeping me within the daily limit so that I would maintain my weight. Nowadays, I’m so accustomed to making healthy choices that I don’t have to really pay attention. It’s actually pretty hard to go over your daily calorie limit if you’re eating healthy. If anything, I sometimes lose a pound or two without even trying!
- I don’t eat out often. Even “healthy” foods at “healthy” restaurants are full of fat, salt, sugar, preservatives, etc. Eating out should be a treat, not a habit.
- I weigh myself weekly. If I gain a pound or two (only really happens during the holidays) , I immediately get started on losing it. It’s easy because I never gain more than like 1-2 lbs. in a week, which is easy to lose.
- I drink lots of water and green tea. Diet soda is a treat (maybe once a month); diet sodas have been proven to make people crave sweets, so I avoid them. Sometimes I get a craving for orange juice. Mostly, it’s just lots of water and green tea. I’d rather eat my calories than drink them.
- Healthy people take the stairs. I move more. I take the stairs instead of elevators. Basically, I don’t take the lazy way out of situations.
- I encouraged my friends to get healthy. Naturally, seeing me lose so much weight inspired my friends to want to get in better shape. I encouraged and supported them during their journey (although they did not use ABC. They did various things like Paleo). Having fit and healthy friends helps me stay fit and healthy. We’re good influences on each other when it comes to eating right and exercising.
Happy New Year to you all! I’ll post my exercise routine next time. It’s long, so I’m not excited to type it all up :)