maintaing weight

Question
Over the last 2 1/2 years I have lost 230 lbs.  I am now at a weight I am comfortable with.  My question is now that I am here, how do I maintain my current weight.  I eat about 1300 calories a day and I try to exercise 3-4 times a week for at least 30 minutes each day.  The exercising seems to be getting harder and harder to do.  I just don't seem as motivated to do it anymore.  Any suggestions?  Thanks for your help! :)

Answer
Hi Nikki,
Congrats on your weight loss!  That is a super accomplishment.  You should be very proud of yourself.  

First, find a photo of you at your higher weight.  Post it somewhere that you can see it every day.  It will serve as a constant reminder of where you have come from and what you have done to get there.  It is common for people to get "comfortable" when they lose weight.  i think this is the primary reason people gain weight back.  You can't afford to get comfortable, or you will end up gain some or all of the weight back.  i have seen it happen many times.  

Variety is the spice of life.  You are not a lot smaller than before.  So try some different type of exercise that you may have been to worried about doing at your higher weight.  Some examples could be rollerblading, a new exercise class (yoga, Pilates, etc).  Hire a personal trainer for just a session or two.  Ask him or her to show you exercise that you have not done before.  Take up a new sport such as soccer or basketball.  Join a local gym and use weight training if you have not been doing so.  Try a new piece of cardio equipment.  Join a walking or running club.  Drive to somewhere scenic to walk once per week.  I think you get the idea.

Motivation is all in you head.  So get in there and shake things up.  Create pressure by setting a goal to shoot for.  Maybe it is to walk a 5K - or even jog it!  Goals are what keep us moving forward.  I am sure you were setting them in the process of losing your weight.  What are your goals now?

I hope this helps,
Dr. Bret
doctoremery.com

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