Maintenance is messing with my mind
Replies
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Christine_72 wrote: »I think maybe maintaining is "boring" compared to losing weight. When on a diet it's exciting and something look forward to when you weigh, and your weight is down.
All of a sudden that rush is gone, and replaced with humdrum same weight everyday on the scale.
I agree and this is why transitioning to maintenance and learning how to do it correctly IMHO should be emphasized more during the losing phase. It seems like and "end point", but it certainly is not. It's a clear signal to start setting a NEW list of goals. Personally, fitness related goals are my main focus.0 -
I understand. I started maintenance almost two weeks ago now, and...it's weird. Giving myself permission to start eating more is weird. My new body is weird. The thought of this being the beginning of a lifelong change (not just reaching a goal weight but staying there) is a bit daunting. I hate to say it but I'm obsessed with my scale. I hope as time goes by and I get more comfortable I'll be able to relax, but right now it's all so new and I don't think I trust myself enough yet.....0
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Christine_72 wrote: »I think maybe maintaining is "boring" compared to losing weight. When on a diet it's exciting and something look forward to when you weigh, and your weight is down.
All of a sudden that rush is gone, and replaced with humdrum same weight everyday on the scale.
Thanks! That makes SO much sense. It IS a rush to see the scale dropping, as just as it is a groaner to see it rise.
I just began maintenance after Christmas. I had been planning to lose another 5 plus the 4 pounds that came with the holidays.... (I think they were just water retention and food in my system...but it scared the heck out of me.) But I just lost the 4 from indulgence and decided I had lost enough... My husband finally got me to think straight...long story.
Now I focus on logging what healthful foods I eat and moving my body. I am actually enjoying the walking/jogging and find it takes my focus off food.....
I think the idea of checking the scale fewer times a week/month and relying on my logging and clothes fit and feel might be a longtime solution....
Truly appreciate all the ideas you offer here.....0 -
You know, this isn't great advice for everyone, but personally I stopped weighing regularly. My focus is now on exercising regularly and just being more active in general. I eat within my maintenance calories most days. I will allow indulgences and compensate for them by eating at a deficit for a day or two afterwards. I don't have those feeling "fat" or "skinny" days when I'm not staring a number in the face. I check in on the scale maybe once a month just to make sure I haven't drifted.
I like how you think. I weigh often and sometimes I don't like what I see on the scales despite being well within goal range...I think for me I should do what you do
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Thanks for all the helpful posts! It's just weird adjusting to the new body I suppose.
On the plus side, I've noticed my butt is firming back up after the serious sag that had been happening throughout the loss. 0 -
This thread is exactly why I'm here. I was using another app that helped me lose 25+ pounds, but since I don't want to lose anymore, I switched over to MFP to try and focus on maintaining and fitness, not losing! I thought using a different app would help me psychologically make the shift, but I'll be damned if it's harder than I thought!
My biggest problem is how to adjust my calories in. I was doing probably 1,500/day (sometimes even less) and now it wants me to do 2,000! I want to eat healthy and keep my BF trending down (my goal is to see my abs, if I can get some...), but trying to find another 500 healthy calories when most of my meals are probably 300-400 each... Wow! I need a fourth meal? I've already had snacks going (usually one in the PM), but goodness I just don't think I'm that hungry!
I've been adding back in things like full cheese, mayo, creamer, butter, etc, to up the calories here and there, but that's not 500. It's like I'm either on a diet and losing or I'm not! The transition is strange. A good problem, but really hard to figure out!
Enjoying all the posts here, makes me glad I'm not alone!0 -
I'm not in maintenance yet, but I'm really close. I know that as I add calories back, I'll see that 3-4 lb increase water etc... This is a dumb question, but as you maintain, do you lose this or do I need to go below my goal and give myself a buffer?0
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I'm not in maintenance yet, but I'm really close. I know that as I add calories back, I'll see that 3-4 lb increase water etc... This is a dumb question, but as you maintain, do you lose this or do I need to go below my goal and give myself a buffer?
Go to goal weight and gradually increase your calories over a few weeks until you get to your maintenance calories. This should avoid any water weight issues, if this concerns you.0 -
You're overemphasizing some arbitrary number on a scale that is comprised of many things. Put your focus into fitness and good livin'...the rest tends to take care of itself.
I've been maintaining going on three years and haven't logged a thing in that time save for a spot check here and there the first few months...just good livin' and I'm golden.0 -
I'm not in maintenance yet, but I'm really close. I know that as I add calories back, I'll see that 3-4 lb increase water etc... This is a dumb question, but as you maintain, do you lose this or do I need to go below my goal and give myself a buffer?
I stopped losing right at my goal weight. My first week of maintenance I ate 100 extra calories a day, and this week I've added another 50. So far my weight hasn't changed at all. I'm just going to keep increasing in small increments until I settle into my maintenance range. At this point I don't think I'm going to see any big jump on the scale.0 -
All that means is that the water weight comes gradually and not at once. From what I understand it doesn't leave. At a deficit, your body isn't topped off of glycogen. At maintenance it is. The extra water is due to the extra glycogen and the water it absorbs.0
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I'm not in maintenance yet, but I'm really close. I know that as I add calories back, I'll see that 3-4 lb increase water etc... This is a dumb question, but as you maintain, do you lose this or do I need to go below my goal and give myself a buffer?
I stopped losing right at my goal weight. My first week of maintenance I ate 100 extra calories a day, and this week I've added another 50. So far my weight hasn't changed at all. I'm just going to keep increasing in small increments until I settle into my maintenance range. At this point I don't think I'm going to see any big jump on the scale.
Just wait it out...i had the same
Weeks of nothing and then suddenly 1.5 pound lol
Since the First of September about 10 lbs
Its a waiting game for me.
But i just was brave and said oke that's it i go to 2000 and hold there that was some weeks ago.
But like i said i suspect to lose on it again. I have some water weight atm but weight is going down slowly to that lowest point again.
But i recognize so the "weird body" feeling
Still getting used to it. In many ways.
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I gained 4lbs the first week, lost it about a week later. Since then over the last two months I have lost 2lbs, down to a consistent 173 from 175. However I have lost several inches around my torso as well.0
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richardgavel wrote: »All that means is that the water weight comes gradually and not at once. From what I understand it doesn't leave. At a deficit, your body isn't topped off of glycogen. At maintenance it is. The extra water is due to the extra glycogen and the water it absorbs.
I hate asking questions on someone else's thread (I'm sorry op) but since this was brought up here....
I understand about the glycogen/water weight being replenished after a deficit, hence the initial gain. But....since I'm still working on bumping up my calories (still in a deficit to a degree), how do I know when glycogen is completely replaced? Is that not complete until I'm fully eating at maintenance?
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cwolfman13 wrote: »You're overemphasizing some arbitrary number on a scale that is comprised of many things. Put your focus into fitness and good livin'...the rest tends to take care of itself.
I've been maintaining going on three years and haven't logged a thing in that time save for a spot check here and there the first few months...just good livin' and I'm golden.
I don't actually weigh myself that often anymore. It's seriously not the number. It's looking in the mirror, feeling body parts, etc.0 -
richardgavel wrote: »All that means is that the water weight comes gradually and not at once. From what I understand it doesn't leave. At a deficit, your body isn't topped off of glycogen. At maintenance it is. The extra water is due to the extra glycogen and the water it absorbs.
I hate asking questions on someone else's thread (I'm sorry op) but since this was brought up here....
I understand about the glycogen/water weight being replenished after a deficit, hence the initial gain. But....since I'm still working on bumping up my calories (still in a deficit to a degree), how do I know when glycogen is completely replaced? Is that not complete until I'm fully eating at maintenance?
Should be yes
But do you really think that when you eat 100 calories under and you up the last or final 100 that you would notice?
Nah....
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I did for awhile. Having settled in at this week for over 2 years I'm finally getting used to it. Still pay attention though0
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BurnWithBarn2015 wrote: »richardgavel wrote: »All that means is that the water weight comes gradually and not at once. From what I understand it doesn't leave. At a deficit, your body isn't topped off of glycogen. At maintenance it is. The extra water is due to the extra glycogen and the water it absorbs.
I hate asking questions on someone else's thread (I'm sorry op) but since this was brought up here....
I understand about the glycogen/water weight being replenished after a deficit, hence the initial gain. But....since I'm still working on bumping up my calories (still in a deficit to a degree), how do I know when glycogen is completely replaced? Is that not complete until I'm fully eating at maintenance?
Should be yes
But do you really think that when you eat 100 calories under and you up the last or final 100 that you would notice?
Nah....
Did I really think that? Honestly? I don't know! LOL! I've been a serial dieter all my life, but this is the first time I'm actually armed with some knowledge and trying to pay attention to what I'm doing. The only thing I'm fairly certain of is that I'm over complicating the issue. That's just how I tend to roll though.
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BurnWithBarn2015 wrote: »richardgavel wrote: »All that means is that the water weight comes gradually and not at once. From what I understand it doesn't leave. At a deficit, your body isn't topped off of glycogen. At maintenance it is. The extra water is due to the extra glycogen and the water it absorbs.
I hate asking questions on someone else's thread (I'm sorry op) but since this was brought up here....
I understand about the glycogen/water weight being replenished after a deficit, hence the initial gain. But....since I'm still working on bumping up my calories (still in a deficit to a degree), how do I know when glycogen is completely replaced? Is that not complete until I'm fully eating at maintenance?
Should be yes
But do you really think that when you eat 100 calories under and you up the last or final 100 that you would notice?
Nah....
Did I really think that? Honestly? I don't know! LOL! I've been a serial dieter all my life, but this is the first time I'm actually armed with some knowledge and trying to pay attention to what I'm doing. The only thing I'm fairly certain of is that I'm over complicating the issue. That's just how I tend to roll though.
Thanks for asking those questions and telling your story. It's useful information, since I've got about 4 kg to go.0 -
BurnWithBarn2015 wrote: »richardgavel wrote: »All that means is that the water weight comes gradually and not at once. From what I understand it doesn't leave. At a deficit, your body isn't topped off of glycogen. At maintenance it is. The extra water is due to the extra glycogen and the water it absorbs.
I hate asking questions on someone else's thread (I'm sorry op) but since this was brought up here....
I understand about the glycogen/water weight being replenished after a deficit, hence the initial gain. But....since I'm still working on bumping up my calories (still in a deficit to a degree), how do I know when glycogen is completely replaced? Is that not complete until I'm fully eating at maintenance?
Should be yes
But do you really think that when you eat 100 calories under and you up the last or final 100 that you would notice?
Nah....
Did I really think that? Honestly? I don't know! LOL! I've been a serial dieter all my life, but this is the first time I'm actually armed with some knowledge and trying to pay attention to what I'm doing. The only thing I'm fairly certain of is that I'm over complicating the issue. That's just how I tend to roll though.
Thanks for asking those questions and telling your story. It's useful information, since I've got about 4 kg to go.
Haha, exactly same here!
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Christine_72 wrote: »BurnWithBarn2015 wrote: »richardgavel wrote: »All that means is that the water weight comes gradually and not at once. From what I understand it doesn't leave. At a deficit, your body isn't topped off of glycogen. At maintenance it is. The extra water is due to the extra glycogen and the water it absorbs.
I hate asking questions on someone else's thread (I'm sorry op) but since this was brought up here....
I understand about the glycogen/water weight being replenished after a deficit, hence the initial gain. But....since I'm still working on bumping up my calories (still in a deficit to a degree), how do I know when glycogen is completely replaced? Is that not complete until I'm fully eating at maintenance?
Should be yes
But do you really think that when you eat 100 calories under and you up the last or final 100 that you would notice?
Nah....
Did I really think that? Honestly? I don't know! LOL! I've been a serial dieter all my life, but this is the first time I'm actually armed with some knowledge and trying to pay attention to what I'm doing. The only thing I'm fairly certain of is that I'm over complicating the issue. That's just how I tend to roll though.
Thanks for asking those questions and telling your story. It's useful information, since I've got about 4 kg to go.
Haha, exactly same here!
Cool!0
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