Maintenance Weekly 24th July 2006 - Maintenance Strategies

[Mitra]

In Staying Power, the Drs E describe several different ways in which people use their maintenance food allowances:


Match your food to your maintenance level pretty much all the time (works if you're very carb-sensitive, or feel you might derail completely if you relax too much);
Eat at Transition or Corrective levels in the week and allow a little more flexibility at the weekend (only works if you're pretty active and not very carb-sensitive - and have the discipline to get back on track every Monday morning);
Eat at Transition/Corrective levels most of the time and allow a major carby treat once a month or so (might mean a bit of a carb-hangover, and could send some sugar-sensitive types spiralling out of control);

Does one of these descriptions match the way you eat? Or do you do something different?

I think I generally follow the first approach. I do eat more liberally sometimes, but not as often as every weekend, and not as extreme as "the biggest, gooey-est, most delicious dessert they could find." Probably because I have more of a passion for grains than for sugar, but I know that large portions of them leave me feeling bloated and yucky, so I prefer to limit myself smaller quantities and avoid the carb-hangover and indigestion.

[cmcole]

I think I'm more along the lines of the first, even though weekends don't always go the way I would have planned because of things not happening on schedule, not because I choose foods way off my regular consumption. However, I do normally have a little extra time for indulgence when it comes to breakfast, so if I wish to make, for instance, LC pancakes or waffles, that is when they would be made (and then possibly reheated through the week).

Last weekend I had a piece of wholewheat (or whatever) bread, which is the first time I've indulged in that particular product in quite some time. Like you, Mitra, grains are my weakness rather than sweets, and they leave me bloated, as well, so I prefer to limit their consumption.

This indulgence was an exception based on lack of planning or something similar. I didn't have too much trouble, this time. Guess one slice wasn't overdoing it, or I worked it off sufficiently at the gym and exercising the dogs, before it impacted my system too negatively.

[Relief]

the first strategy describes me now also. I tend to limit big gooey desserts to weekends or special occasions--but they are even then sugar free and low carb. I limit bread indulgences to really great bread at a French restaurant that we like and even then only a limited portion--not the 2 or three baskets of bread I would have eaten " in the olden days"

I got into so much trouble in the past when I let myself have carby food--either desserts or bread-- on a regualr basis. I eventually found myself with out of control cravings. and a 20 pounds gain. So now I stay far away from THAT place.

I also get into trouble if I let myself have too many sugar free treats. I have gotten to the point in teh past where I don't eat any real food--just sweets. I still have to consciously make an effort to eat protein and veggies at every meal FIRST and then have a small sweet morsel--maybe a few sweet nuts, or a small portion of ice cream or pudding, to finish off.

[Shadow]

Relief - I can't believe how alike we are :lol:!

My approach is the first one, too :). I stay within my carb limit with maybe a slight foray once or twice a year. However, my eating does vary between the week and the weekend. I focus more on fruits & veggies during the week and tend to indulge more in lc treats on the weekend ;).

[Carmen Sandiego]

Eat at Transition/Corrective levels most of the time and allow a major carby treat once a month or so (might mean a bit of a carb-hangover, and could send some sugar-sensitive types spiralling out of control);

This is pretty much me, except I space the "treats" out a bit longer...maybe every 6-8 weeks.

Logically I know that sugar, white flour, etc...are not nutritional "fuel" but I enjoy those time "off!" :D

I think it often helps to keep me on track too, because if I want something that wouldn't be such a wise choice normally, I can have it in "x" days if I still want it!

[banshee]

I try to stick to my maintenance level of carbs all the time, as it's easier for me that way. I do treat myself to a "real" sugar treat about 2-3 tims a year, usually something special and homemade at my in-laws. I just don't enjoy store-bought sugary stuff anymore - it has to be something truly delicious and homemade for me to indulge. Even then, though, I'm careful to keep my portions small so I don't end up with a "carb hangover" the next day. That's just not worth it to me.