has anyone ever changed to maintenance and NOT gained weight?

I have hit a plateau, but am actually at a healthy BMI, so I decided not to try to lose those last few pounds, as they were going to be "buffer" pounds anyway. I graduallly increased my calories (especially when I started to plateau about 4 weeks ago) and am now up to maintenance and very satisfied, hunger wise. I seem to have gained about 2 pounds, and I heard that this will happen. I don't want to gain any more if I can help it. Has anyone gone to maintenance intake and actually NOT gained, or is this inevitable and I should just accept it?

I know I could increase my activity, but I am doing all that I currently can. And besides, that seems to defeat the purpose - since maintenance intake should match current activity level.

Last time I switched to maintenance to break through a plateau, I actually continued losing weight, but I'm not at a healthy BMI yet so might make a difference (or I might have underestimated my maintenance level)

It's possible that your estimated maintenance level is too high, or that it's just water weight. 

I definitely have gone to maintenance intake and not gained.  But this is only true when I recorded my calories, exercise, and weights daily.  For 4 months that I recorded data daily, I remained on schedule for both my initial weight loss and my maintenance.  For the two months I did not record accurately, my weight had quite a few fluctuations.

I would think that, all things being even, your two pounds gained weight were good for you; and you will not be gaining any more.  However, if you do continue to gain weight in maintenance mode, you might have to cut back on calories (if it is healthy for you to do so), since you have no more time to add exercise to your day. 

I suggest eating a really high, healthy protein breakfast and drinking a large glass of water to start the day.  I also suggest eating 5 additional snacks/meals throughout the day.  The key is to get your metabolic engine burning at peak efficiency.

OK- thanks. My maintenance level is 1600 calories (on days when my exercise level is average - some days are up to 1850) - I hope it's not too high!

anniepook:  I am worried that 1600 is too low for you.  Yes, for 3 or 4 days I am only taking in 1700-1800, but as soon as I know I am back in my maintenance window, I will be increasing back to 2600 or more daily.  I definitely think 1850 sounds good.  Best of luck.  Always be healthy and have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I lost another 15 pounds after switching to "maintenance" - but that weight took me from an overweight BMI (26.5) to a healthy one (24).  So, that may be the difference.  A slight gain may be more normal for people at the lower end of the healthy BMI range. 

Your two pounds may well just be food weight from eating a little more or water weight from getting a little more salt/sugar.  Or even just natural monthly weight fluctuation.  Two pounds isn't enough to worry about.  If you continue to see a steady increase, then take a look at your diet and make sure you're counting accurately.  I think it's really unlikely that you would continue to gain eating as little as 1600-1800 calories if you're counting everything.

I love maintenence! My goal for this year was to hit 145 and to maintain until 2010. So far i average around 143 and I continue to eat healthy choices MOST DAYS, but I am less strict and continue to stay active (jogging or walking everyday or just heavy house cleaning).

I weigh everyday to keep myself on track.

I wanted to maintain 125lbs which I hit at the beginning of September.  I'm 23, 5'3.7".  I lost weight consuming about 1800 cal a day and according to CC that woudl be my maintenance at 125.  Well, for the first 3 weeks of school in September I continued to lose weight.  Not a lot, but I went down to 122.6lb.  So I changed my activity level in CC and it now says that around 2000 is maintenance.  I have been between 123 and 125 since September.  And that's with eating healthy foods and the occasional junk food.

I am not accurately keeping logs.  I log my foods to see my grade for the day and because it helps to have my meals planned.  I eat between 1900 and 2700 depending on the day.  I average about 2200.  I am quite busy at school it seems.

I switched to maintenance in August of 2007 and actually lost (151 down to 142, both of which are in my healthy BMI range--I'm 5'10").  I didn't gain a thing until this year, and I must admit I wasn't watching a danged thing.  Whoops!  Not bad, I'm up to 147, but amd counting to go back to 142-145 just to make sure I don't cycle up too high. 

I agree with several of the comments--you'll have to see how it goes.  If you continue to gain then you can decrease your intake....if you start losing, you're too low.  CC is pretty darn close with their maintenance estimates as long as you've input all of the correct information.  I find it easiest to rate my self as sedentary and add in my running and lifting (I drive in my car 1/2 the day for my job).  Good luck, and congrats on gettting to maintenance!  Whoo hoo!

Thanks, amycarlson! I have actually had a good week - ate between 1700-1800, and I lost a little of what I initially gained, so I am back down to where I want to be. Interestingly, I am finding I can't pack in all those calories very easily. I am very conscientious about making sure it's balanced, and I have to literally eat all day to get the calories in - which never seemed to be a problem before!

Someone mentioned that 1600 calories might not be enough for me - it is according to CC and according to many other calorie burn estimaters - as long as I don't exercise. I am in my 50's, which makes a difference. I only eat 1700-2000 when I get a chance to exercise.

Yes, as we age, our metabolism generally slows down; plus, if we don't get much physical activity we also would burn fewer calories.  I still think 1600 is bare bones calorie intake other than occasionally dropping a pound or two.  But if you have researched it carefully, then hopefully you are definitely taking in a healthy amount of calories.

I am averaging taking in around 2900-3000 calories a day, which is a huge amount for someone my age, but I am willing to exercise (moderately) a lot in order to eat more.  I do know once I cut back on my exercising, I will have to cut back on my calories.  Also, I have found success in jump-starting my metabolism and keeping it running to burn those extra calories.

Best of luck in all your maintenance goals and in life in general.

Hi, Annie. I was very interested in your post. I'm 56, and am about 5 lbs. away from my goal of 135 lbs. I'm 5'4". I'm really kind of scared of maintance. Could you tell me a little more about how you're eating? How many meals, and how many calories per meal? Any info would be appreciated.

I started maintaining amost two years ago, and I haven't gained any weight since. I don't normally count my calories, but I do eat nutritious foods high in fiber and protein. I also exercise pretty regularly, which has helped me with my journey.

Annie--you may already know this, but if you're having issues getting enough calorie intake for the day, I find that a couple handfuls of cashews are pretty helpful--high calorie, good fat, and I just love them.  Satisfies my incessant salt cravings!

Original Post by nafabird1:

Hi, Annie. I was very interested in your post. I'm 56, and am about 5 lbs. away from my goal of 135 lbs. I'm 5'4". I'm really kind of scared of maintance. Could you tell me a little more about how you're eating? How many meals, and how many calories per meal? Any info would be appreciated.

 When I got to where I couldn't lose any more, I figured it was time to maintain. I gradually went from 1200 calories, to 1400 and then up to 1600 over about 2-3 weeks, listening to what my body was telling me.  I was afraid of gaining, and I did gain (hence this thread), but over just a few days (about 2 pounds), and someone here suggested it was water weight, which I believe was correct (a combination of higher sodium intake and I forgot to take my diuretic for 2 days....duh..). I hung in there and still eat about 1600-1700 calories a day, a little more if I exercise more heavily. Those 2 pounds fell off as quickly as they went on. I don't really fluctuate my weight that much, so it did scare me, but it did make sense that it couldn't be "real" weight, because you can't gain that fast.

How many meals do I eat? I eat all day!!! Seriously. I still use the food diary, and I plan my day's meals the night before. I have cereal and milk for breakfast, fruit and yogurt, or yogurt and peanut butter for a mid morning snack. Lunch varies - always healthy - tuna sandwich, beans and rice, big salad, cottage cheese and fruit, or a combination of these. Midafternoon snacks of half a pb sandwich, carrots and celery, almonds or trail mix, fruit, or a couple of these. Generally, I eat at least every 3 hours - keeps my hunger at bay - which means I carry food with me. And all I drink is water, but not a ton - just enough. Dinner is whatever I am making for the family (I cook alot healthier now!), but in a reasonable amount. I use the food pyramid guidelines to determine how many servings of each food group- I have found it helps alot, although it calls for more grains than I can consume at 1600 or 1800 calories.

Maintenance is fun! It's nice to know I can occasionally munch on a small handful of chips or a couple of cookies, and lightening won't strike me. What's tough at this age is that I can't exercise as vehemently as I used to in my 20's. I exercise daily, but it would be considered mild by most standards (I walk and swim).  I have the motivation, but not the body! I have a touch of arthritis, I have already suffered through achilles tendonitis a few months ago, and I am always afraid of tearing or breaking something - it seems to happen so  easily! Call me paranoid, but I have great respect for my not-so-elastic muscles and ligaments!

Don't be afraid of maintenance, although I understand why you feel that way. My only regret is that I didn't live like this a long time ago.

Original Post by amycarlson:

Annie--you may already know this, but if you're having issues getting enough calorie intake for the day, I find that a couple handfuls of cashews are pretty helpful--high calorie, good fat, and I just love them.  Satisfies my incessant salt cravings!

 Good idea! I have almonds and trail mix, but cashews are my favorite!

Thanks, Annie. How you're eating sounds like it would work very well for me. You know, tonight I had a large salad for dinner, and a 100 calorie bag of popcorn with a 5 oz. glass of wine for "desert". It occured to me that I enjoy food so much more now than I did when I always ate so much. I eat slowly and enjoy the textures and flavors in a way that I didn't before. How strange. Now that I've separated the food from the emotion, I appreciate the food more.

Well said!