Celebrating Anniversaries

This week, I'm celebrating some important anniversaries. In addition to 13 years of marriage to my wonderful husband, this week marks the third anniversary of my 25-lb. weight loss. I'm proud to say that not only did I reach my weight-loss goal three years ago, but I've also kept it off all this time--very meaningful to my health as well as my vanity.

It's no mean feat to lose a significant amount of weight. It takes persistence, determination and patience, among other things. Many people have reached this goal more than once--only to turn around and regain the weight (and often a few extra pounds as well) once they "go off" whatever diet, medication or restrictive eating plan they were on to lose the weight. Then they start over with weight loss, but they find it harder with each successive journey. This yo-yo dieting cycle wreaks havoc on your metabolism--pretty soon, your metabolism stays at the slow level no matter how little you're eating, and it's difficult to re-set it.

So I say, better to lose the weight and keep it off, right? And if you never "go on" a diet, you never have to "go off" a diet. That doesn't mean you'll never gain another pound. But if you have a reliable eating plan that brings you--healthily--to your goal weight, all you need to do is return to that plan in order to return to that weight.

When I'm eating the "right" way, I not only feel better (more energetic, happier), but my weight goes back to where I want it. I don't feel deprived, I know what to do when I'm hungry and I know which foods to avoid. I also know that I can indulge in a heavier meal once in awhile (like on my wedding anniversary), and it won't throw me into a tailspin, as long as I return to my eating plan afterward. It relieves the guilt and anxiety that used to be associated with "overeating," and it allows me to enjoy the indulgence completely.

Have you figured out your healthy eating plan yet--the one that will get you to your goal weight and keep you there? The one that will pull you out of a weight-gain slump and back into better habits? If not, now's the time to do so. And you can start celebrating your own milestones and anniversaries with pride and joy.