Green, Yellow, Red

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15234322/

I read this article months ago and knew that I would implement the ideas to help me keep off the weight when I got to goal.

The article talks of tips learned from a study in the New England Journal of Medicien. Dr. Rena Wing states that “If you want to keep lost pounds off, daily weighing is critical. But stepping on a scale isn’t enough. You have to use that information to change your behavior, whether than means eating less or walking more. Paying attention to weight — and taking quick action if it creeps up — seems to be the secret to success.”

****I took that as regular monitoring of my weight will be critical as I move into maintenance. (Not sure just how often that will be for me...daily/weekly/monthly. I'm thinking weekly.)

Women in the study had to maintain their weight to within five pounds. They were also introduced to a color-based weight-monitoring system to do so. Women who remained within three pounds of their starting weight fell into the “green zone. Gaining between three and four pounds landed women in the “yellow zone” and prompted them to tweak their eating and exercise habits. Women who gained five pounds or more landed them in the “red zone,” and prompted them to restart active weight-loss efforts.

***For me, my green zone will be 130 to 135 pounds. My yellow zone will be 136 to 137pounds. My red zone will be 138+. I think it's important to on stop small gains as soon as possible. I haven't always done that in the past and it's just too easy to get off track.