Maintenance musings...concerns..(and much rambling!)

GBO323

I just discovered one cruel truth. Losing is EASY given the scale moves in one direction. On maintenance, it can go up and down. Easier to lose and gain within a 5 pound variance than to lose 78 again.

LivingtheLeanDream

)[/quote]
My goal was 160. When I hit goal, I thought I was mentally prepared to have a weight range of 157-162. It turns out that I freaked out anytime the scale showed over 160. I had to change my goal to 155 so that my fluctuations wouldn't take me over 160. I don't know why I have this mental block at that specific number, but I do know that I'm fine with my fluctuations now that they aren't bumping against my upper limit. And I'll tell you what I kept reminding myself of... A pound is 3500 calories. It would take being over quite a bit to gain real weight in a few days. It's not something you're going to "accidentally" do. Yes, you can slowly gain weight by being consistently over your maintenance.
But, it takes a while to do and we all know how easy it is to fix a pound or two. Eight months of maintenance shows you can do this...rest easy.

I did change from twice weekly weigh-ins to once a week when I hit maintenance too. All the worrying about whether I had the right TDEE was reflected on the scale and it was too tempting to try to make instant adjustments. It's been much better with once a week.[/quote]

And I think you've hit the nail on the head! I need to drop to 5 lbs below my goal so when I see fluctuations then I'll rest easy knowing it's all good ☺

Vailara

I've found it helpful to weigh daily and to track my weight (you can do it here, looking at the reports section). That makes it much easier for me to see any trends in my weight, rather than going by the number on the scale on a particular day. I've found it's natural for my weight to fluctuate a little bit and a daily difference of a couple of pounds is quite normal. It also seems to be normal to have the occasional spike up or down, where for a day or two, my weight goes up or down by more than a couple of pounds. So it's the overall trend that matters. Recently, I've noticed that there is a slight, slow trend upwards, so I know I need to crack down and change to losing rather than maintaining for a little while. Good luck!

loribethrice

I use the app Libra on my phone and weigh myself daily after I wake up. It tells me if I've gained or lost each week and how much each month based off of my daily weigh ins. That way I don't panic as much if one day I am 143lbs and the next day I weigh in at 145.

RaspberryTickleChicken

My first question would be are you weighing yourself at the same time of the week, same time of day, & in same clothes? If not try to regulate that before you panic.

Something to maybe consider -
The human body is about 60% water so weight will flux ... constantly just based on that alone.

Some people will flux 2-3 lbs some will flux 5-8 lbs. It just depends how your body tends to hold on to water Also if your diet is a bit high on sodium that can exacerbate holding onto more water weight

And let's face it - ladies' who still have cycles will have some bloating and other wonderful little hormonal gems to contend with which may also impact weight flux

I think it's important to keep in mind your normal weight flux range as you have been doing and set what I call a 'cause for a closer-look weight' ie. I usually flux 1-2 lbs my 'cause for a closer-look weight' is 5 lbs

I know none of this really helps with the psychological effects of when you see yourself at the higher end of your range (trust me I think MANY has been there & completely understand where you are coming from) BUT it's just something you're simply going have to differentiate normal weight flux from actually gaining weight so you don't lose your mind. lol

Good luck!

LivingtheLeanDream

@Raspberrytickle thank you for your reply, I weigh in around 3 mornings a week, same time, before breakfast, after toilet and in the buff lol
I have kept an eye on my weight for a few weeks and the number is staying consistently higher, 3lbs higher than I would like it to be ideally. I have to take it that I have actually gained. Its not water any longer. I've been eating too much I was really enjoying eating around 2000 cals but I have to face it, that number is just a tad too high for me. From today I have decided to eat between 1600-1800 a day and see how I go. It seems that I will always have to track my calories or I will gain. 100-200 extra calories do seem to be making a difference to me, unfortunately
My sodium is always under, unless I do enjoy a takeaway but that only happens now and again.

RaspberryTickleChicken

RunRutheeRun wrote: »

@Raspberrytickle thank you for your reply, I weigh in around 3 mornings a week, same time, before breakfast, after toilet and in the buff lol
I have kept an eye on my weight for a few weeks and the number is staying consistently higher, 3lbs higher than I would like it to be ideally. I have to take it that I have actually gained. Its not water any longer. I've been eating too much I was really enjoying eating around 2000 cals but I have to face it, that number is just a tad too high for me. From today I have decided to eat between 1600-1800 a day and see how I go. It seems that I will always have to track my calories or I will gain. 100-200 extra calories do seem to be making a difference to me, unfortunately
My sodium is always under, unless I do enjoy a takeaway but that only happens now and again.

ahhh gotcha!

How tall are you?

I noticed that there's a lot of mention of how much is consumed but I didn't see anything in regards to exercise. (It's hard to go through walls of texts lol) Do you lift at all? Are you continuing some form of cardio? (just curious)

LivingtheLeanDream

@Raspberry.. I run 5 days a week - 4 miles/day, make sure I get 15000 steps (have a Fitbit) in total every day (apart from Sunday which is my rest day) and strength train 3 times a week. I've been a consistent workout bunny for 2 years now, thats not going to change cos I'm addicted :-D
- I'm 5ft 2.25" (very important that 1/4" lol)

RaspberryTickleChicken

RunRutheeRun wrote: »

@Raspberry.. I run 5 days a week - 4 miles/day, make sure I get 15000 steps (have a Fitbit) in total every day (apart from Sunday which is my rest day) and strength train 3 times a week. I've been a consistent workout bunny for 2 years now, thats not going to change cos I'm addicted :-D
- I'm 5ft 2.25" (very important that 1/4" lol)

HAHAHAHA Yes I agree every fraction of an inch counts when you are 'fun size'

I'm 4'10"

Have you thought of maybe changing up your exercise? It may help.

LivingtheLeanDream

I actually have tried that different times, I go back to doing circuits, do more strength and cut back on cardio and it can get the scale moving and quite quickly but I know myself the main reason for extra lbs is that I'm simply eating a bit too much, time to rein in some cals LOL ..I go back to running and strength because I LOVE doing them, anything else seems a chore and if its a chore I wont stick to it.
and yes I'm a small fry as well lol, its definately more of a struggle for us petites.

RaspberryTickleChicken

RunRutheeRun wrote: »

I actually have tried that different times, I go back to doing circuits, do more strength and cut back on cardio and it can get the scale moving and quite quickly but I know myself the main reason for extra lbs is that I'm simply eating a bit too much, time to rein in some cals LOL ..I go back to running and strength because I LOVE doing them, anything else seems a chore and if its a chore I wont stick to it.
and yes I'm a small fry as well lol, its definately more of a struggle for us petites.

ahhh gotcha

And yea ... xtra weight just has no where to hide on us! LOL

LivingtheLeanDream

yep, I know when I've gained a few pounds cos my muffin top appears again!!