So thought I'd start this thread for those who are currently in maintenance (or are trying to be ), there are not as many active maintenance-ers on here, but I'm hoping for the ones that are, they can chime in and impart their wisdom for those are trying to achieve that coveted balance of weight stability.

...or we can just chat about whatever. LOL.

Yes you can but, surprise surprise, after being on 1% or skim, it tastes and has the consistency of Cooking Oil. Potentially you may want to choke trying it.

Maintenance is a scary place after a lifetime of being in a weight loss strategy A previous post stated an increase in comfort as we realize that there is a degree of control over physical body After finally reaching goal and staying there. I thought I was in menopause for a year then when I gained a few lbs to 125 I was not. Hmmm I added a fourth high fat snack like nuts or deviled eggs to stop the loss. I ocused on my exercise and took up a new hobby. Enjoy - this is when our wardrobe starts to last more than the season and our focus increases.

I thought I mentally was in a better place. I feel like I’m losing too quickly. BMI is 22/23 I think. I was feeling like I had some control, increased my calories to around 1000 to slow down the loss. Then today I’m suddenly down 2 pounds. I saw coworkers today that I don’t see but maybe monthly. A few (not knowing about surgery) made comments re not needing to lose more via dieting etc. Now from both the 2 pounds loss and comments I’m back to feeling anxious again. I feel like all day I’m focusing on food to try and get in enough calories.

1 hour ago, 2Bsmaller18 said:

I thought I mentally was in a better place. I feel like I’m losing too quickly. BMI is 22/23 I think. I was feeling like I had some control, increased my calories to around 1000 to slow down the loss. Then today I’m suddenly down 2 pounds. I saw coworkers today that I don’t see but maybe monthly. A few (not knowing about surgery) made comments re not needing to lose more via dieting etc. Now from both the 2 pounds loss and comments I’m back to feeling anxious again. I feel like all day I’m focusing on food to try and get in enough calories.

It's hard.

Easier said, I know, but try to allow yourself more time to stabilize. A BMI 22/23 is still above the midpoint of "healthy" BMI range, you've still got quite a bit of leeway.

Also, try not to listen to other's comments about your weight/appearance (again, yeah, easier said). These comments are actually what started the second-guessing of myself at the beginning of maintenance. I was walking around thinking I was the epitome of awesomeness until the first few "concerned" comments started coming in. Went through the whole "oh my gosh is something wrong with me?" phase. I trust myself way more now, and luckily (or unluckily, depending on how you see it, lol) I am back to thinking I am all that.

Eye on the prize. You will figure it out, even if it means it feels like you are spending all day getting your calories in (and I say this as I sit here eating my lunch which I started almost an hour and a half ago). Sometimes I think maintenance is harder than weight loss.

Edited August 6, 20196 yr by ms.sss

How many calories a day do you average for maintenance? I know it varies based on activity etc but what is the ballpark average? I’m trying to settle towards maintenance but so far pushing to get 1000 calories and weight loss hasn’t slowed a bit. I was at 600-700/day. It’s been almost 2 weeks of the higher calories. I’m so frustrated. I have even decreased my activity. It’s so crazy that it’s the opposite of what you try your entire life!

21 minutes ago, 2Bsmaller18 said:

How many calories a day do you average for maintenance? I know it varies based on activity etc but what is the ballpark average? I’m trying to settle towards maintenance but so far pushing to get 1000 calories and weight loss hasn’t slowed a bit. I was at 600-700/day. It’s been almost 2 weeks of the higher calories. I’m so frustrated. I have even decreased my activity. It’s so crazy that it’s the opposite of what you try your entire life!

I can maintain if I average 1700/day. But that is on the high end - a lot of people can't eat that much. I know several who have to eat more like 1200-1500 - and some even lower.

just so you know - bounce back once you hit your lowest weight is real. A majority of us experience that. I at one time felt the same as you do and just knew I would NEVER be able to regain weight. Wrong. I put on 12 lbs without even trying in year 3.

Edited August 8, 20196 yr by catwoman7

I was averaging 1500 a day (over 7 days) but was still losing weight so I know I need to go higher than that. At 1500, I lost almost 3 lbs over a month.

However. The past couple weeks, I've been averaging about 900-1000, and yep, I lost a couple more lbs. It is quite challenging to get the calories in..my restriction is still very present, and I have chosen to stay low carb. I was looking at MFP and how I was able to get to 1500 previously, and it was because I went to eat or attended/hosted get-togethers/parties relatively often during that period. I guess I need to go out more, lol.

Anyway, am thinking based on my current exercise level, I probably need to up my cals to about 1800 a day, which seems like an enormous amount to me at this point, but I'm sure I can get there eventually. I may (most likely) lose more weight in the process, but like @catwoman7 says above, I am counting on the weight bounce back later for a correction ?? ,

On 08/08/2019 at 08:01, 2Bsmaller18 said:

How many calories a day do you average for maintenance? I know it varies based on activity etc but what is the ballpark average? I’m trying to settle towards maintenance but so far pushing to get 1000 calories and weight loss hasn’t slowed a bit. I was at 600-700/day. It’s been almost 2 weeks of the higher calories. I’m so frustrated. I have even decreased my activity. It’s so crazy that it’s the opposite of what you try your entire life!

You can find charts online that will figure the # of calories you need to maintain based on age, height, weight etc. you definitely need over 1000. I’m at around 1600 to maintain. I’m 5’7” 120lbs, 54yo and moderately active. I can probably go higher and am trying to get there. It is hard with our tiny tummies but can be done.

I’ve read this entire thread and it’s been so helpful to know we have each other.

For now, I’m going with this plan...

First, I was able to get back to 118 but I found that I liked 115 better so I just float between the two now. It’s my three pound window.

Second, I can have a cookie or a bite of pizza crust every now and then but I’ve found there is no room in my world for that type of carb on a regular basis. I haven’t touched a slice of bread in a couple years...no buns, no sandwiches, no biscuits...I simply can’t. You might as well ask an alcoholic to taste your drink. I’m fine with the carbs I get from proteins and natural fats and veggies.

Finally, I’m frequently monitored for for vitamin/blood/mineral levels. My health is incredible, especially for a woman in her mid-50’s. When someone comments that I appear to be too thin (and I’m amazed that people, strangers even, feel free to do so) I just smile. I no longer wonder if I need to do something. I feel fantastic. After 27 years of retirement, I’m a working actress and model again. My husband is loving, supportive and my family is thriving.

I just continue to track everything on LoseIt and adjust my intake accordingly. It’s almost effortless.

I'm no longer overthinking this. I’m just using the habits that got me here to keep me stable.

I'm living life and enjoying the freedom this weight loss has given me back.

I wish all of you the peace and happiness you’ve helped me find.

How many calories a day do you average for maintenance? I know it varies based on activity etc but what is the ballpark average? I’m trying to settle towards maintenance but so far pushing to get 1000 calories and weight loss hasn’t slowed a bit. I was at 600-700/day. It’s been almost 2 weeks of the higher calories. I’m so frustrated. I have even decreased my activity. It’s so crazy that it’s the opposite of what you try your entire life!

My maintenance instructions are to add healthy carbohydrates and up my calories to slow/stop weight loss. My maintaining 1200 to 1500. It takes time to find your calorie and carb sweet spot.

Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

Still maintaining in the low 150s. (149 this morning but I think its dehydration weight so I'm calling 150lbs)

Nut butter was helping my weight stabilize or so I though (now I think maybe I was stalled) I'm not remotely interested in it this week, so we're on a break.

I wish we could naturally spot target fat loss. There are areas I don't want to disappear (my A$$) and places i wish would (my stomach)

Oh well... We will see how this goes

I’ve maintained 130.4-130.8 with astonishing accuracy for the past few weeks. I was even on vacation for 6 days with no access to a scale. What scares me is that I’m currently eating 900 calories a day and maintaining.

I have not been exercising as regularly or as hard as I was before although I have been walking 1-6 miles everyday. I meet with the personal trainer on Tuesday, (which happens to be my 1 year anniversary) so I’ll be back to working out regularly. I’m hoping that will allow me to increase my calories.

17 hours ago, Screwballski said:

Second, I can have a cookie or a bite of Pizza Crust every now and then but I’ve found there is no room in my world for that type of carb on a regular basis. I haven’t touched a slice of bread in a couple years...no Buns, no sandwiches, no biscuits...I simply can’t. You might as well ask an alcoholic to taste your drink. I’m fine with the carbs I get from Proteins and natural fats and veggies.

Finally, I’m frequently monitored for for vitamin/blood/mineral levels. My health is incredible, especially for a woman in her mid-50’s. When someone comments that I appear to be too thin (and I’m amazed that people, strangers even, feel free to do so) I just smile. I no longer wonder if I need to do something. I feel fantastic. After 27 years of retirement, I’m a working actress and model again. My husband is loving, supportive and my family is thriving.

I just continue to track everything on LoseIt and adjust my intake accordingly. It’s almost effortless.

I'm no longer overthinking this. I’m just using the habits that got me here to keep me stable.

I'm living life and enjoying the freedom this weight loss has given me back.

I wish all of you the peace and happiness you’ve helped me find.

@Screwballski : You are my Spirit Animal !!!! ♥️

You have articulated aspects of my own experience and it is amazingly comforting to read. Thank you. ♥️

5 hours ago, ms.sss said:

@Screwballski : You are my Spirit Animal !!!! ♥️

You have articulated aspects of my own experience and it is amazingly comforting to read. Thank you. ♥️

You are very kind.

Well all of you were right and thank you for the advice. I was getting so anxious about never stalling and steadily losing 2-3 pounds per week and was afraid that despite increasing my calories to 1000 that I was heading into losing too much too quickly. Then with people making comments about getting too small or needing to eat more it messed with my head. I think it was also the fact of mentally not feeling in control of what was happening with my body I felt like I was on a runaway train.

It seems that the first 2 weeks of increased calories did nothing and I kept losing but the past 1-2 weeks I have been bouncing around 132-134 (5 ft 2). I am happy where I am right now at but if I could I would like to slowly lose maybe 5-10 over a few months, not weeks and gain some muscle that would be ideal.

I also am thinking since I am just now at the 6 month mark that realistically I could see a possible gain of 5-10 pounds on this journey and I want to have some wiggle room if that happens. I had backed off on fitness for fear of losing too much too quickly, so instead I am going to focus on fitness now and keeping calories and carb level where they are and see where that gets me.