<br>
<br>
<p>The answer is yes. There is nothing magical about sitting long hours on a plane as opposed to sitting long hours in any other confined space that prevents your moving around. Sitting still without moving your legs for long periods will cause the fluid to pool in your legs and create swelling.</p>
<p>Thanks, I thought maybe the altitude was the main culprit.</p>
<p>Livestrong mainly blames altitude but also mentions sitting for a long time.</p>
<p>Anyway, I went up one pound and back down so not sure I’ll meet my one year goals (which I only set a few months ago; never thought I’d make it this far). Yesterday I went swimsuit shopping at TJ Maxx since my suits of recent years are too big 
and my suits of earlier years are too droopy or disintegrated. 
I tried on eight suits and bought two of them. What a change from leaving the dressing room crying! And I only paid $37 for the two together - either a 58% savings (from the “compare to” price) or a 81% savings (original price tags). Yes, I have some saggy floppy skin but no comparison to bulgy obese skin. My big test tomorrow will be if I can lift myself out of the pool without using the ladder.</p>
<p>TJ Maxx! It’s a big hit on the Great Deals thread.</p>
<p>My goal is 1x2.0 pounds (an even 80 pounds lost) and I actually got to 1x2.8 this week. This last pound has been so stubborn!</p>
<p>So I have decided to declare victory and move on to maintenance mode. Any hints on how to accomplish that would be welcome. I know that I can’t go nuts, but how far can one loosen the strings?</p>
<p>I’ve resisted joining this thread because “maintenance” has undone all of the pounds I’ve lost on more than one occasion.</p>
<p>I never thought it would happen again–but it did.</p>
<p>So if I try once again to lose the weight I’ve regained, I also need help with maintenance. In comparison to losing weight, which is hard enough, maintenance has proved to be impossible for me.</p>
<p>I have done pretty well maintaining the last year. While I would like to lose 10 more lbs I am very happy where I am. (loss about 30 lbs)
What I have found works for me- I can have a sandwich once or twice a week. Fries from the local cafe (once a week-shared). I also can have an occasional cookie. One serving of rice when eating Chinese food. Ice cream on occasion.
What I have NOT added back into my life- Bagels,pasta, any fast food dining, chips (unless I am eating mexican food out). Alcohol. 2nd servings.
When I see the scale going up a few lbs I can usually trace it back to eating white carbs multiple times in a week. I gain my weight around my middle and I have found white carbs are my downfall. I love them and if I eat even a little I want more.</p>
<p>Carbs seem to be the bad guys for most people, including hidden carbs in alcoholic drinks.</p>
<p>The only advice I have is, if the clothes start getting tight, don’t get new clothes, get new habits. (Or get back on the habits that lost you the weight.)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That’s what I am afraid of…</p>
<p>Re maintenance - I know there’s some thought to only weighing in once a week, but my morning Wii fit check is the best thing for me. If I’m up a few ounces, I know to be especially careful that day. Up two days in a row is a danger sign. And down a few ounces inspires me to try to repeat that the next day (doesn’t always work, of course). That little Wii fit scale is my guardian, doesn’t let me get away with anything.</p>
<p>And boo that the place we were going to swim is part of a triathlon so we won’t be able to go. It’s not a pool but part of an old quarry where they have “adult float” on weekend mornings - bring your own float and just drift for an hour or so, then head for the grass when they open up to everyone. And no, a triathlon is not for me - I might swim (although not that fast), I do bike (leisurely), but will never run.</p>
<p>Oh - had the best caprese salad tonight - fresh tomato and mozzarella from the farmer’s market, and fresh basil from our yard. And peaches! Hooray for summer!</p>
<p>Ellemenope, congrats! I honor you - and am trying to emulate your resolve. Martha, stick around here–we’re a pretty supportive bunch–I will stay around EVEN after I lose my final 8 lbs, I hope, and get help with maintenance and inspiration.</p>
<p>I have EATEN (too much) this weekend, and I swear my mind thinks I can gain back my 12 lbs in one sitting. I NEED to exercise today, before the family Grad/bday barbecue here, and I’m hoping to avoid the chips–but I am NOT avoiding the cake. Small piece, if I get out for the one hour walk! Maybe half a burger…</p>
<p>My trick with burgers - take off half the bun and eat it open face. That way you get all the protein and half the carbs.</p>
<p>Marilyn - Exactly! Hone, hone, hone:).</p>
<p>That’s my plan, Marilyn: and lots of fruit and veggies!</p>
<p>I’ve been making smoothies with everything but the kitchen sink in. College son loves them, but H makes a face when I make him taste them. Go figure–he likes peaches, carrots, and sweet potatoes, but he won’t drink a smoothie with those ingredients (well, peaches, carrot juice, cooked sweet potato, a little yogurt, ice). So yummy!
I call it Orange Intensity. Mangos are also good, and/or cantaloupe. If you freeze some of the fruit you don’t have to add ice.</p>
<p>Another good one is honeydew melon with mint, plus frozen banana, yogurt, other fruits if you have them (a few blueberries, kiwi, pineapple).</p>
<p>In this weather it’s a very welcome & healthy breakfast or snack.</p>
<p>Food poisoning=2 pound weight loss in one day…wouldn’t recommend it though!</p>
<p>martharap, my losing weight diet* is* my maintenance diet. It’s taken two years to lose 25 pounds, and I imagine it will take longer to lose another 20 (which would be nice, but I’d be fine if it’s only 10). As you weigh less you have to eat even less or significantly increase exercise to lose at the same rate.</p>
<p>So sorry, packmom :(</p>
<p>I have been less than diligent lately, so have not gotten on the scale. My DS #2 was here for a day so we ate out (brunch and dinner), went out with friends for her birthday yesterday, have my bday and anniversary coming up, so will take it s-l-o-w. I do not want to stop though. Got my bike back from the shop today but it was raining so will ride when it is clearer.</p>
<p>Well, I braved the scale this morning. Not bad, not good. I am still within 1/2 lb of my low so far, but I hit this weight almost a month ago and my low 12 days ago. Still eyeing that goal , 8 lbs (now 8.5 lbs) away, realizing I need to ratchet up the exercise, as eating 1200-1500 cals is not going to get me very far anymore. In fairness, I’ve eante mosty between 1300-1500 cals. Need to work to get back to 1200 cals, which isnt easy.</p>
<p>It’s 2 weeks until our graduation party so H and S and I have been ratcheting up the mulching and gardening in our yard. I haven’t been watching my food intake the last few days as I have been out in the yard for 5-8 hours a day. Fortunately, thanks to my kick start in May I have trained myself how to drink tons of water, but my weigh in has only kept me at a level weight, maybe a pound lower. It’s hard to say for sure as I have been sweating a lot and drinking a ton of water, but eating like I do when I’m in training for something. I’ll know my accurate weight by Friday. Overall I’m satisfied with my shape … pants are fitting much more loosely and therefore they make me feel leaner.</p>
<p>yikes, Pacmom–so sorry!</p>