Seems like a miracle...

I've been maintaining about  a month now at right about 120. My original goal was 115 but I decided to maintain early. Right now, I could give a darn whether I lose the last 5ish. I've been strength training (which I enjoy) and I'm a strong 120. To me, that's better than a weak 115.

But, here's the thing: This maintaining thing has been a cake walk. Seriously. My cals vary alot within my personal acceptable range. I eat when I'm hungry whatever I want to eat but try to balance the "baddies" wih the "goodies". Volia! Maintenance.

Anyone else finding this easier than they expected?

I've been maintaining now for over a year (May '08) and have found it pretty doable - sometimes I go back to counting, to double check where I am, but in general, I find that I am able to balance what I want to do and what I should do.

Part of that comes from the fact that I wasn't overweight for most of my life - I got offtrack and gained weight, and needed the structure to get back to a healthy weight, but once there, I didn't have years and years of bad habits to fall back on (well, maybe the nachos...)

Also, because my exercise (I lift, too) is now just a part of my lift, it wasn't something that I forced myself to do only for the goal of weight loss, so it didn't fall by the wayside when I reached my goal.

Best of luck in your maintenance!

No, I don't find it easier.  I found losing much easier.  I am maintaining, but I really am working hard at it.  I find losing just too tempting, but I know that I am at a healthy weight and losing more would serve no useful purpose.

Tomato:  Congrats on your strength-training.  Also, congrats on your consistency at 120.  That is very amazing to me that you instinctively can do that!  Great job. 

amethystgirl:  Very impressive!  Over a year!  Wow!  It seems that you have incorporating execising as a typical part of your day.  Good work!

Amethystgirl: I think you have a point. I've only been overweight a little over 10 years. That may be why I'm taking so well to maintenance now.

Pilgrimdude: I hope this gets easier for you. I think that at first it's hard to relax and trust your body to do what it's supposed to do, especially when you feel your body has betrayed you before. I'm still counting calories, so I haven't loosened the reins THAT much either.

i also LOVE maintenance. just out of curiosity, how tall r u?

Hi Tomato,

Congrats to you and maintaining your goals. I too have only 10 pounds to lose and I plan on doing it through calorie counting and as well as exercise. When I was at my best physical shape I was lifting as well and could remember not counting calories and ate healthy but also got away with the yummy stuff that I wouldn't dare do right now. The reason for this is because I had developed lean muscle mass which boost my metabolism really high and I could get away with eating dessert every night! By building muscle you are actually help your body burn fat in the process. You have boosted your metabolism through lifting as well which is awesome; I've been telling everyone to do this too besides there regular cardio routine (you can't reshape your body with cardio but you can through bodybuilding)! Good for you and I can't wait to join you at 120 in a few months as well.

Keep me posted ;-)

When I began maintaining I stayed exactly the same weight for 8-9wks. Then I gained 2lbs. Then another 2lbs. The second 2lbs was after last weekend & I was away and I chilled and ate/drank pretty much what I wanted- but I expect to get it off now I'm eating 'normally' again? (I'm down 1lb already) But it's not easy- I'm watching what I eat, and trying to restrict my treats until i feel more comfortable having an ideal weight range, rather than my ideal weight- like I'd always envisioned. But since reading a lot of stories on here I realise having an ideal 'weight' isn't normal- having a range of a few lbs is. So I'm coming to terms with that for now. I've been overweight most of my life (over 30yrs anyway!) so I'm quite happy to have got this far to fight this new battle!

Tomato:  I hope it gets easier.  It just isn't very "exciting"!  LOL  If I didn't weigh-in several times a day and chart my exercising, meals, calories, weigh-ins, there is no way I could maintain.  I have committed myself gladly to charting and recording.  For you who don't have to do it, great!  I admire you.  But I will never be able to instinctively just eat and exercise without some sort of record-keeping.

cathlean:  I like the last part of your name.  I agree with you about lifting.  I only lift around 20-30 minutes a day, 6 days a week; and I have found that I have created some lean body mass and toned some muscles.  I think it also helps keep my metabolism revved up.

irishmum:  I absolutely agree with you about a weight range.  I have a 5 pound range --- 168 - 173 ---.  On occasion, I fall slightly below or above and take immediate steps to get it back into the middle--usally I eat a bit more if low or exercise a bit more and eat a bit less if high.  I know water weight and needing some RR time is usually involved with being on the high end, but just the same, I try to never let myself get out of range, if possible.

Best of luck to all our Maintainers.  I hope I am as successful as all of you have been.

I like the idea of a weight range also. It keeps you from fretting over mild fluctuations and signals when to make adjustments.

BTW, I'm 5'0", so 120 is good, not great. But, that doesn't account for added lean muscle or medium frame. Also, I'm 39. So, all things considered, 120 isn't bad for me. 

As a kid/young adult I was underweight, so I never want to experience that again.