Fairly good at weight loss - a bit rubbish at maintenance!

Rosie_McA
Rosie_McA Posts: 256 Member
in Goal: Maintaining Weight
Thought I should post here as I'm now officially a fully paid-up member of the Maintaining Weight group!

I found losing the pounds (or kilos in my case) pretty straight-forward as my motivation for doing so has been a health-related and clear-cut one. The reduction to the loading through my injured knee at the new weight and the difference that makes to the pain level can not be understated. Sure it's nice to look slimmer and wear smaller clothes but I have never cared enough about fashion to lose weight for that reason.

So to maintenance. My start hasn't been great. I seem to feel guilty to suddenly have all those extra calories at my disposal and could easily see me start to binge (thought I was on the cusp of it last night). Today I have done the opposite and suspect that after the weekend's experience I'm now concerned that I'll just let go completely. I know I should aim for a gentle increase to find a weight tolerance-band that suits me but it appears that I'm getting it all messed up. The weight loss bit was easy by comparison!

If anyone is in a similar boat please feel free to add me? I have great MFP friends already but think I need some who are already at or who approaching maintenance for mutual support. It certainly helped no end when shedding the pounds.

Replies

  • littleburgy
    littleburgy Posts: 570 Member
    I have just added you. I don't have a history of binging, but I've been experiencing similar mixed emotions, at least during the first week. One minute "zomg I get too eat so much!" and the next "zomg I think I've eaten too much. PANIC! GYM!"

    I'm starting to get used to it. I'm still tracking, I find that tracking actually helps me from feeling panic, especially if I've had a splurge night out like in the last couple of weeks. When I actually log it I realize that it isn't so bad, and find my week averages out, it's been all OK. And the results are there, so far I'm maintaining but like you, I'm new at it.
  • animalldy
    animalldy Posts: 140 Member
    I switched to maintenance a few weeks ago and I'm still trying to get it all sorted out! This last week I had 2 Starbuck's drinks and two desserts (weird- but yummy!!). I'm finding that I'm super hungry so I might even need to up my calories. I'm at 1800/day net. I'm planning on logging for at least another 6 months, then maybe try it without but that is scary. I'll add you!
  • BelsFitnessJourney
    BelsFitnessJourney Posts: 29
    I'm new to maintaining as well, it's hard to come to terms with how much food I now have to fit in my belly and that it won't make me gain weight. I'm having to force myself to eat even when i'm not hungry or I keep losing.
    But hey, it's amazing how much food (healthy food) you can eat in a day and maintain your weight.

    :)
  • fificrazy
    fificrazy Posts: 234
    I'm new to maintaining as well, it's hard to come to terms with how much food I now have to fit in my belly and that it won't make me gain weight. I'm having to force myself to eat even when i'm not hungry or I keep losing.
    But hey, it's amazing how much food (healthy food) you can eat in a day and maintain your weight.

    :)

    This reply is kind of concerning...
    You're 110 lbs at 5'7", afraid of gaining weight ("coming to terms" with the amount you have to eat??) and despite being clinically UNDERweight, only allow yourself to eat "healthy" food?

    Losing weight if you don't force feed yourself means your hunger cues are messed up, which is a a huge warning sign of severe restriction/starvation.
  • Rosie_McA
    Rosie_McA Posts: 256 Member
    I'm sure I'll get it right soon enough and am determined not to slide into underweight territory.
    Think my mistake was not putting on the brakes early enough and ending up with such a big change to get used to.
  • Laura3BB
    Laura3BB Posts: 250 Member
    The first week is strange but hopefully you should ease into maintenance!
  • Blokeypoo
    Blokeypoo Posts: 274 Member
    Biggest Loser website (where I lost my wt) say that the first 2yrs of maintenance are hardest lol. I'm about 14mths in. It is a head messer at first.

    I use my Fitbit to guide my intake so it's based on my cal burn. I set it and MFP at 250 deficit which I stick to M-F (I plan meals at min 1500 cals the night before then get to eat about 1700 once I've earned for the day). At weekends I eat pretty much what I like as I've created a deficit to use up but also am more active at w/e's. I've maintained perfectly like this, I gain more on hols but it isn't real wt and falls off within a week of 1500-1700cals.

    ps I'm female, 5'2.5 and 133lbs (lost 28lbs).
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
    As I enter my third year, I think the thing that helped me the most is logging my calories and making the decision I would focus on getting more activity in my life. I also embarked on my own modified version of Project 333, (google it), as I wanted to enjoy my new clothes in my new size, but didn't want to break my budget buying new clothes. When you make the decision you will only buy clothes at your new size, you have to maintain your weight. So I had to exercise control and just buy clothes that were versatile, fitted, and made me feel great wearing them. So moderation in what I consume quantity wise extended to buying a new wardrobe.. so it really started extended into many areas of my life.

    Also, I have been working on getting my sleep! It really helps.
  • Slim_strategy
    Slim_strategy Posts: 199
    Hey I've been maintaining for about 3 months now and I'm still finding it a bit tricky to get used to, still trying to find the calories I can maintain happiest at ... some days I try not to log and then I end up under eating due to fear of overeating :p so I keep logging but it is still all a bit strange to get the hang of =.=
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    For the urge to binge, eat "good" (whatever that means to you) 80% of the time. Fit yummy, portion-controlled treats into your calorie goal. Deprivation can lead to bingeing.

    For maintenance, you don't have to increase your calories all at once. Ideally, you should have been losing at .5 lb. per week for a while, to help you transition to maintenance. If your deficit was too high, you might start there for a few weeks.

    It takes a whole lot of trial & error to find the number of calories at which your weight will stabilize. Slowly add calories until you stop losing. Give it a while. If you gain, then reduce your calories even more slowly.

    Your weight will fluctuate. Don't panic! Choose a weight range, then cut or add calories if you go above or below that "window."
  • lizzyclatworthy
    lizzyclatworthy Posts: 296 Member
    I think I am still losing, I am giving myself a couple of months to adjust. I feel the same way as most people I think. I can eat so much and it feels a bit wrong.
    The other day my brain actually did this 'I have loads of calories left over, if I skip the gym I won't add to that and will not have to eat so much'
    silly brain, not going to get fit like that!

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