I've been feeling frustrated by my current maintenance results, a web search about that issue turned up an article about a study of literature on the subject, which I found interesting, even though it wasn't particularly helpful to me.

Below is part of that article, originally published in Medscape on 1/6/2012

Psychological Factors Influencing Weight Loss Maintenance

Background.
It is well recognized that most individuals who lose weight are unable to maintain that weight loss. However, the lack of evidence about the factors that cause this regain is surprising. The purpose of this study was to review the available literature to try and identify the factors that are most consistently linked with weight regain and propose strategies to assist patients to maintain their success.

Methodology.
An electronic search identified studies of patients whose weight loss had been achieved through behavior modification and who were then followed for the subsequent 12-18 months. Included studies were determined to have good methodological rigor and relevant data.

Results.
The literature on factors potentially contributing to weight regain were examined and clustered into 8 categories:

1. Unrealistic weight loss expectations -- studies were mixed and it cannot be concluded that this issue is a consistent predictor of weight regain.

2. Failure to achieve weight loss goals -- satisfaction with one's initial weight loss was identified to be an important factor. Those able to reach their goal weight or, alternatively, those who were satisfied with their weight loss even if it was less than their original goal were more likely to maintain this loss.

3. Dichotomous thinking -- this is defined as a "black or white" thinking pattern that leads to difficulty in accepting anything less than the original goal. This type of thinking pattern was strongly predictive of unsuccessful weight maintenance.

4. Eating to regulate mood -- another strongly predictive factor identified in this review was use of food to relieve emotional distress.

5. Disinhibition vs dietary restraint -- higher levels of disinhibition, which led to more uncontrolled eating, were associated with weight regain. In contrast, those able to maintain weight loss were better able to exercise restraint in their eating.

6. Perceived cost vs benefit -- individuals able to successfully maintain weight loss continue to find that the benefits of weight loss, whether defined as improved appearance, better health, or some unique combination of benefits, outweighed the perceived costs of weight maintenance strategies such as regulation of diet or exercise.

7. Depression -- although depression has clearly been linked to obesity, its relationship to successful weight loss maintenance is less clear. Baseline depression was not necessarily a factor, but increasing levels of depression over the time of weight maintenance did predict regain.

8. Body image -- no surprise, individuals who were more satisfied with their appearance, with steady improvement in body image throughout the time period studied, were more likely to maintain their weight loss.

None of this is really news, but it's worth thinking about again. I found their Viewpoint summary to be rather standard and uninteresting. I found the following statement particularly uninspiring….

"A number of factors associated with unsuccessful weight maintenance
are the same as those seen in patients with binge eating disorder."

 Like DUHHHH!! Don't even get me started on what I think about the way every single "non-healthy" eating behavior is now being labeled an "eating disorder".

Uh Oh, 
I think my frustration is clearly showing here again, and so now I'm going to spend some time working on my Positive Thinking.
 

The way that I talk to myself can be helpful or hurtful.
Positive self-talk helps me reach goals.
Negative self-talk holds me back and drags me down.

I can choose to be kind to myself
through everything that I experience.

If you had a friend who talked to you
like you sometimes talk to yourself,
would you continue to hang around with that person?

How do we one persuade ourselves
to change our behavior
when we don't feel like it?

This is a tough one.

It helps to notice how we talk to ourselves.
Do we give ourselves commands?

It can help to stop giving ourselves orders.
Instead work to be specific about what's to be done and why,
and to turn one's attention to why eating appropriately is important.

Change the self-command to a self-request.
Work to keep the reasons "why" at the front of the mind.

It helps to back up our self-requests with solid reasons.
Add the word "because" to the request.

If your mind says…"You shouldn't snack"
add a reason like…" because you'll regret it later",
or…"because you're still going to want to eat a full dinner",
or…"because snacking is going to lead to weight gain which will make your back ache more"

Be specific about the behavior you need to do,
and turn your attention to your reasons for it.
Keep these reasons at the front of your mind,
and don't let them slip out of awareness.

WIll this help?
Sometimes.  

This morning I posted a new Diet Wisdom video,

Bodyweight Percenages  

which is located at DietHobby, under DIET WISDOM,  Basics.
 

 Following that saying in the video above isn't always easy,
but it's something to work toward. 

Resentment thrives when we're not willing
to end a disagreement or overlook a slight
by putting forth an offering of kindness, love and forgiveness.

It's often hard to disregard the ego's need to be right,
and to extend kindness by letting go of anger.
But, each one of us can be the one seeking a way to give,
rather than the one looking for something to get.

Regardless of what others around us are doing,
ultimately, we'll feel better if we let go of resentments,
and extend love to the others around us.

                   
Rigid thinking, or all-or-nothing thinking
is when you think you're either perfect or a failure,
fantastic, or a loser, on a diet or off a diet.

An example of rigid thinking
with regards to our eating behaviors is:
"What the heck, I've ruined it anyway".

This is the thinking that causes us
to throw all caution to the wind,
and choose to eat whatever, whenever,
and however much we like.

While telling ourselves we'll start again,
…maybe even on a new and different diet plan...
later, tomorrow, or perhaps on Monday,
or perhaps at the beginning of next month.

When the winds blow, a willow sways with them,
while an oak remains still
When a powerful wind comes along,
the willow can bend with the wind and survive it,
but the oak cannot bend,
and so if the wind is strong enough, it will break.

When our thoughts are rigid, just like a stiff tree,
we can easily break. "There goes my diet for today"
Contrast that to an open and flexible attitude,
a middle way, a grey area, which is the place
between eating the whole thing or nothing.

This middle way is: "it's not completely ruined".
The best way to keep ourselves from giving up
when we've taken a misstep,
is to draw our awareness to that middle way,
and be flexible in our thinking.
A partial failure is not a total failure.

If I spilled a bit of food onto a favorite dress I was wearing,
taking care of that mishap right away,
as soon as possible, could salvage my dress.

But if I think "Well, it's ruined anyway",
I'm less likely to get the stain out before it sets.
Even with that rigid mindset.
.......with regards to the spilt food misstep,..... 
I'd be unlikely  to react by choosing to immediately
dump the rest of my plate's contents on my dress.