The monitor lizard is common in many parts of the world but what most people don’t know about this critter is how it got its name. This lizard has the habit of standing on its hind legs and “monitoring” its surroundings for prey, threats, and possibly unwanted changes on the scale. Well, two of those things are true, at least.
Monitor, monitor, monitor! Since January 1 of 2017, the first day of the last diet I will ever undertake, I have weighed myself daily. Each Wednesday since that day, I have recorded my weight in a handy-dandy log that I actually refer to more than you would think. Has my weight increased this year? What was my starting weight? Have I remained steady all month? Am I still maintaining? The log tells the truth when my mind is more than happy to lie about the situation. Oh, and the lying goes in both directions: “I’m okay. My weight is holding steady” when it’s actually creeping up, or “I know I’m putting on weight” when it’s actually holding steady.
In addition to my scale, I have a few ways to monitor my weight. Like everyone else, I have those favorite jeans that fit just right at my chosen weight. I also monitor how other clothes feel and look. Just five pounds can make a difference and you can quickly use this feedback to make the small changes needed to maintain. Remember: maintenance can be up a few pounds, down a few pounds, as well as a steady state.
The scale and my jeans are important, but what else do I monitor to help me maintain? I make sure I am serving myself the quantities that I want. For example, a half-cup of brown rice is not a cup of brown rice. I use an app to track points (you can also use an app to track calories). When cooking, I monitor how much olive oil or butter I am adding and, conversely, how many vegetables I’m getting—I aim for half the plate.
Maintenance can be a joy and is oh-so-much-easier than dieting. At Stop Losing and Win we hope to put an end to diets altogether and teach others what we have learned: You can maintain an achievable, comfortable weight, and you can do it for the rest of your life. I know we talk a good bit about food and activity, but add monitoring as the third leg of the bench to keep your weight steady.
Stop Losing and Win 