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How big is your "maintenance range"?

macchiatto
macchiatto Posts: 2,901 Member
edited February 11 in Goal: Maintaining Weight
I'm assuming for maintenance, most of you have a range of a few lbs that you try to stay within (or below a certain number). When you're in maintenance mode, how big is the range you're comfortable with? I've been trying to stay within a 3-lb range ... and am currently re-losing some to get back to my goal weight (about 5 lbs to go). Does that sound about right?

I have struggled some with maintenance so far (this summer I lost another 10 lbs below my original goal and I got down to a weight I haven't seen in 16 years; it's 10 lbs below the 20-lb range I had yoyoed in since I was 21) and now that I'm working my way back to my new goal weight after a very stressful time and the holidays, I'm trying to figure out realistic expectations/goals for maintenance.

Replies

  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,571 Member
    3 pounds. I choose that from daily weighing experience, not a magic number. When I was younger and had bigger hormone swings, it would have been 5 pounds.
  • ibleedunionblue
    ibleedunionblue Posts: 324 Member
    Mine is 142 - 145. Although I dont get too worked up if I am under that range. The 2 or 3 times I hit that range, (Christmas Day & New Years) I was careful the next 2 days to watch intake.
  • kluvit
    kluvit Posts: 435 Member
    Mine is +/- 3 pounds. My goal is 122, but I'm fine with being between 120 and 124, and may make slight adjustments to get to 122. If I reach 119 or 125, then I take corrective action.
  • Springfield1970
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    I don't weigh myself anymore. I have two very unyielding pairs of jeans. If the zip is difficult to do up, I wear a pair of em everyday until they feel comfortable again. Then I get a constant but slightly uncomfortable reminder not to overeat, and to try and turn any overeaten calories into muscle by lifting heavy. It usually takes two or three days.
  • einzweidrei
    einzweidrei Posts: 381 Member
    Like others, around three pounds. But I also know people who stay within five pounds.

    I don't like to see it over 135. But I won't freak out at 136.
  • mamahannick
    mamahannick Posts: 322 Member
    About a 5-lb range, but I prefer to stay within just a pound or two of my target weight.
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    +/- 5 pounds works well for me although I typically only bounce up 2 - 3 pounds.
  • afat12
    afat12 Posts: 178 Member
    2 to 3 pounds any more and I freak out :noway:
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    +/- 5 pounds. I learned while losing that a 5 pound fluctuation after anything out of the ordinary (more carbs/salt than usual, holiday, heavy workout, hormonal fluctuation) is perfectly normal for me. In 16 months of maintaining, I've actually never been above that range, though I have been below it once. Truthfully my normal range is the top 2.5 pounds of that. That's really my default.
  • CharlotteAnneUK
    CharlotteAnneUK Posts: 186 Member
    158 - 160 any more AAGGH any less WOO HOO!!!

    New year new start, would like my responce to be 148 - 150 this time next year...
  • fougamou
    fougamou Posts: 200 Member
    Its a five pound range (+/- 2.5) BUT I am a daily weigher and know how my weight fluctuates. If it I suddenly find myself outside of that range, I don't panic as long as it doesn't stay there.
  • JulieAnn72
    JulieAnn72 Posts: 795 Member
    I don't really have a range. I have a maximum. Unfortunately, I went over it in December, so I'm back to eating at a deficit for a few weeks to get back down below it.
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    3lbs
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    118-123.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    Mine is one kebbler elf soft batch cookie. Seriously.
  • i_Royer
    i_Royer Posts: 4
    I have a belt that I love dearly, and if I can't use the 6th hole, then I know it's time to do some readjusting.

    Also if my weight starts to wander into the 118+ range, it's time to hit the gym hard for a while to get back to a max of 115.
  • ChrisS30V
    ChrisS30V Posts: 157 Member
    I've given myself about a 5 lb. window before I would even start to raise an eyebrow, anything much beyond that for multiple weeks (I only weigh once a week) and I'd likely start re-evaluating what I was doing.
  • FrauMama
    FrauMama Posts: 169 Member
    Hmmm, probably from about 138 (don't really want to be lower than that) up to 145. So I guess that's about 7 lbs....Ideally, I'm 139-141.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    My 8 month average is around 183 but I bounce around between about 179 and 185. Tuesday's tend to be my heavy days for some reason and Thursdays are my light days. This past Tuesday I was 185.6 and this morning I was 179.8. It's almost like a cycle of water retention/release or something.

    Also keep in mind that changes to your routine or increased/decreased intensity, etc are all going to play a factor.
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