Oops.. I did it again
“I ate Indian….
hit up the buffet…
ohhh baby, baby.”
😉
Yes, I had Indian food (again) for lunch with the girls. I think the new owners and servers are starting to understand my obsession. They looked at me a little differently today, like “oh, you live here. And you can pack away the roti” 😉 Heh heh. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
Some snackage:
Organic Georgia peach
And millet:
Jeni came with me to test drive my new car, which I should have next week (!!!!) and I’m back at the casa packing for Orlando.
So a few people asked me to talk about maintenance mode, since I mentioned it on the bloggy yesterday….
If you are currently struggling with ED or in recovery and think that reading about this topic may result in a trigger effect or is a sensitive issue, please skip the rest of this post. I don’t ever want to offend or influence others, just share my experiences and what has worked for me and what hasn’t. Everyone is different and knows how certain things affect their bodies and minds—it’s up to us to use our best judgment.
Some thoughts:
–Maintenance mode is easy for some, a tightrope walk for others. It depends on so many factors and really, you’re the only person who will know what works best for you.
-Ideally, you shouldn’t eat or exercise in a way that wouldn’t be possible to maintain over the long run. Our bodies are intelligent machines and adapt to what they’re expected to do. That’s why it’s a silly idea to overexercise or underfuel our bodies, because that’s what they’ll get used to, and that’s where we’ll stay. For example, this is why some marathon runners gain weight when they stop running so many miles if they haven’t been fueling themselves properly. More activity needs more fuel. (For some musings on proper fueling, *click here*)
-That all being said, quite a few people lose weight or achieve fitness goals by exercising more than they need to or eating less that they should. I’ve spoken about it on the blog before, but there was a time where I was working out wayyyyy too much –not for weight loss reasons, but because I was BORED and I loved the classes that were available- but I damaged my metabolism in the process. (I was also the “smushiest” I’ve ever been because the cardio had burned my muscle definition away) It was a long process of adding back calories into my diet so I could eat more and not gain the weight back that I had worked so hard to lose. Note for newbie readers: I used to be 40 lbs overweight.
-In order to maintain where you’re at, assuming you’ve achieved your goals the healthy way with moderate exercise, smart eats and occasional treats, keep doing what you’re doing and don’t think twice about having an extra dessert that week or taking an additional rest day. If you realize that you’re depriving yourself to accomplish your goals, start adding back the goods. If you’re working out too hard, ease it up. Your body really will respond beautifully to eating well and working out- it’s NOT a race. Take care of yourself, mmm k? 😀
Well I’m off to teach bootcamp and train a client.
See ya in the morning!
xoxo,
Gina
PS. HOLY GLASS STRAWS! Thank you so much to everyone who hit up the glass straw promo– when I posted this we had 2 left, so let’s see how long they last 🙂 I know you all will love them!
Something to do: Strength and Speed workout
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You can do Indian food again and again – it’s just so good!!Plus there are so many options. 🙂
Yum, your millet snacks always look so good! I was tempted to buy a loaf of millet bread but I looked at the nutritionals and couldn’t discern much of a difference between millet and various refined bread products. Can you shed some light on its benefits?
it’s whole grain and the taste is amazing- like a dense chewy sweet cornbread 🙂
girl, if we had a great indian place i would be there every day too…ain’t no shame! 😉
Maintenance is tough for me! I probably work out too much, but I do all different fitness routines – running, spinning, yoga, strength training, elliptical, stairmill, etc. That’s what keeps me going. Once again, I’m jealous of the indian food!!
Um, I def follow my local Indian place on twitter so I know what’s on the buffet every day. We almost always end up doing takeout though — there is nothing quite like crashing out on the couch with a big ol’ plate of Indian deliciousness (even though it makes the puppies jealous).
I still have never had Indian food. I know. A sin.
I really need to stop visiting your blog…. it’s making my Indian food cravings go frantically out of control!!
But thanks for the post on maintenance, I appreciate it lots that you listen to your readers:)!
I’ve never even tried Indian before but your obsession with it makes me want to!
I was just wondering if you were 40 pounds overweight, or if you just lost 40 pounds? I’m not saying you weren’t overweight at all, but there is a difference between being 40 pounds overweight and being overweight, but losing 40 pounds. Like say maybe you were only 25 pounds overweight, and the other 15 pounds are from your healthy zone (which I know is a big zone).
i could gain about 10 lbs back and still be *healthy* but the doc said i’m at the ideal weight for my height and age. technically speaking though, i was 30 lbs overweight but lost 40 lbs to get to my ideal weight
Maitenance scares the hell out of me. You do well, but you do exercise more than most people … 🙂
I also eat more than most people 🙂 I don’t post all of my meals
Good post on maintenance. I think it’s important to know what your body’s ideal balance is. That doesn’t mean that you can’t still test your limits at times, but it doesn’t have to be/shouldn’t be all day, everyday.
Out of curiosity, taking into account maintenance, your build, and your activity level how many calories do you estimate you consume daily?
i don’t share that info, because i don’t want to influence anyone and that number would mean nada since all of my readers are different ages, heights, weights, body fat percentages, etc.
Indian food twice in 24 hours? Sounds good to me!! Great post on maintenance! It’s hard to believe that post-ED I was GAINING on 1600 calories a day, and now if I eat that much I lose. It’s truly amazing how much our bodies can do when they’re fueled properly!
my body is so out of normality that i’m currently MAINTAINING on just over 1000 calories a day. it sucks! big time! but hopefully i will be able to increase over time!
i’ve never been a huge fan of indian food i’ve always preferred chinese, but sometimes only a nice nann bread will do! delish!
xx
I’ve been a reader for a couple of months, not a commenter (obviously) 🙂 and really enjoyed your maintenance post. I know you’re not a nutritionist/you don’t know me/everyone is different, but do you think it’s harmful for me to marathon train from March-November? I mean, I know it’s a BIG strain on my body and mind, but I also want to do myself justice and run the best race I can. Not really going for a PR, I just want to finish and not end up injured the day of.
I’m pretty good at not pushing myself when I feel a twinge that isn’t normal, but I really don’t wanna do my body harm by over doing it on the exercise. I can really relate to your “working out a lot and damaging your metabolism” thing…
Anyway, sorry for the long question. I wish I had a great Indian place near me…feel no shame lol.
Jackie
no i think that’s totally fine as long as you train carefully and make sure to take in enough fuel for the extra running
There’s nothing wrong with a lot of Indian! Loved everything you wrote, too!
Love all the Indian food – I had some for dinner tonight. 🙂
What I wouldn’t do for that plate of Indian food right now! I only wish there was a restaurant closer to my house so I could eat it as frequently as you do. Jealous!:)
Hahaha, I need to make indian food now.
You’re one of my biggest inspirations. I love reading your posts because they’re so full of knowledge; I’ve learned a lot from just reading. Thank you.
Loved this post 😀 Our bodies are *highly* adaptive and it’s not as simple as numbers…
Calories in, calories burned, grams of this n that, etc.
Couldn’t agree more!
GREAT advice on maintenance!!! Truly words of wisdom 😀
xo
Kris
yum peaches, they are delicious!
I want a glass straw or two. Boo to not shipping to canada. I guess i’ll have to find else where for now.
I’m thinking this summer will include Indian Food Wednesdays since camp is going to be so exhausting! I’ll keep you posted with pics 🙂
What an awesome post Gina! I’m currently working on maintaing my body weight right now, but my weight does fluctuate about 7lbs. It’s a little unnerving but I just try to listen to my body.
I think your body has its healthy weight and maintenance should never be difficult for a person (other than unhealthy triggers from outside a body’s control aka advertising making people crave foods etc)
Oh I was truly hoping for a Downward Dog on the yoga mat. So Close!
Great post, and great to remind ppl of all this jazz. Common sense that always bears repeating!
We are in San Diego and getting moved in and I am cruising a few blogs taking an unpacking break.
Congrats on your new ride 🙂 You maybe have posted what it is or is going to be, whatever it is, have fun with it 🙂
That is great advice. Sometimes it feels like it will take forever to reach our goals. But I’d rather only loose this weight one time 🙂
Thank you for this post! It’s making me rethink my current workout routine. I used to only work out 3 days a week when I was really depriving myself of food, but now that I’ve started stuffing my face with food again, I’ve been working out for about one hour, 6 days a week. Is this too much?
an hour 6 days a week isn’t too much time wise, just make sure to alternate intensities 🙂
“Maintenance mode is easy for some, a tightrope walk for others.”
I am living proof of this. I spent almost seven years losing 115 pounds. I would have NEVER thought the maintenance of that weight loss would be SO much harder. Thank you for this post – I really appreciated your tips.
While I’m bothering you 🙂 can I ask you for a recommendation for a solid power yoga DVD? Thanks in advance!
I love this post! I was wondering what you recommend for someone who was training for a half marathon, got a stress fracture, and is 16 years old. I am now running about fourty minutes a day, a little strength training, and an hour of yoga five days a week. I am running less than I was and I don’t want to gain weight, should I eat less than I was?
Hi, I have a question. I just joined a gym a few weeks ago and I really like it and I want to work on strength training. I used to take a weight training class my freshman year of high school so I know how to use some of the equipment properly. But, being a small, teenage girl, I feel out of place in the world of muscle men working out in the weight-lifting area. Do you have any tips to get more comfortable and confident in the weight-lifting area?
Great words of advice on maintenence. It’s a toughie for me. Once I get where I feel good, I start to ease up on healthy nutrition and have more indulgences than I should….then I find myself right back where I was before. Then, repeat. So I appreciate all your advice!
Yum, yum! I love Indian food, too! However, it’s just too warming for me in the summer. At least it makes winter worth looking forward to :). I love that you wrote about how to maintain. I’m struggling with that right now, actually. It’s all about what will fuel me right for yoga and make me feel my best. You also mentioned a time when you were working out more than usual. I have never really been active, until now. Accordingly, I’m really curious about what you said about adding back in calories. I think my metabolism needs a little wake-up and that I should be eating more calories. How did you accomplish this?
Have a lovely day!
xox
Love this post! maintenance mode is a place that I’m almost at and it’s pretty scary looking right now. the way you wrote about it makes it seem a lot more do-able, so thanks!
Great post!
Love taking about maintenance mode since not too many people talk about it, and no one warns you that at first it is just as hard or even harder than losing weight!
i love your lifestyle and balance 😀
GET IT GINA!!!!!!!! 😀
..Where’s mine?! Can we have an indian food date?! :/
Great post! Thanks for those thoughts.
omg girl you crack me up with the Britney Spears reference LOL
Great points about maintenance mode. Gotta be kind to the only bod ya got!
Maybe since your a regular, they will start giving you free meals, or something?! 🙂
hahah i could only wish
Love this post, Gina. I’ve actually been thinking lately about how you once said weight maintenance (or loss or gain) is not simply calories in and calories out, but that the QUALITY of the food really matters. In the spirit of this, I’m really going to try to make an effort to only conider the nutrients of a food…regardless of the calorie count.
Haha don’t worry about enjoying your fill of Indian food I know I’m exactly the same way with Thai food!
Thank you for the post about maintaining a certain weight it was really informative and super helpful! 😀
Noooo! Sad 🙁 I didn’t get a chance to visit the blog yesterday and would’ve LOVED to get some of those straws. I have wanted them for years. Gina please do another group shop on them, what a GREAT deal!!!
i’m thinking they’ll let me because they sold out so quickly. it’s an awesome deal- keep your eyes open for another one!
I NEED to find a good Indian joint around here ! I’ve made a few tings at home, but would love the full experience…
Gina, I’m confused: if decreasing calories in and increasing calories out both decrease metabolism, is there *any* way to lose weight without having to eat less in the long run?
yes- to eat smarter, not necessarily less
I was so sad that I couldn’t do the glass straws or the garlic gold 🙁 darn shipping snafu! LOL Love the topic today!
Smarter meaning…more often and more protein and such?