After reaching goal.....

AmyB69

Anyone nervous after reaching goal? I know this sounds odd. I reached my goal a week ago, and I'm in "losing mode" still. I've changed my unhealthy eating and all of that and work out daily. I know maintaining will still be work, obviously. I workout basically everyday. Do I scale back to 4-5 days a week? I really enjoy exercise now. I've worked very hard and don't want to gain anything back. I also don't need to lose any more now. I'm very type A and it's hard for me scale back on things. I usually do things all the way or not at all.

RedWeb

Well done on reaching your goal !

When I get to mine I am hoping it won't be hard to maintain. Exercise and healthy eating have just become normal parts of life for me. I enjoy it. Will just have to remember to eat a little bit more each day.

wild_wild_life

I feel the same way. I have been trying to maintain my weight for about a month and yet the scale keeps inching down. It's scary to find that balance. I don't think scaling back on exercise is the answer though. It's good for you in so many other ways. But eating more is scary!

walkner88

I hit mine and am now building new goals for myself to stay motivated. Right now is to maintain current weight but lower body fat % to around 9.

spaingirl2011

Definitely keep exercising and building fitness goals! Those are important while you maintain.

zmzmzm19

I am wondering the same thing......just how do you go into maintenance mode??? I have more weight to lose, but am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it is scary....hoping to learn just how to stay the weight I want....I'm not going to lie, it's a scary thought gaining any of this weight back, after all the hard work of taking it off. Good luck to us all!!! :drinker:

mfpcopine

Anyone nervous after reaching goal? I know this sounds odd. I reached my goal a week ago, and I'm in "losing mode" still. I've changed my unhealthy eating and all of that and work out daily. I know maintaining will still be work, obviously. I workout basically everyday. Do I scale back to 4-5 days a week? I really enjoy exercise now. I've worked very hard and don't want to gain anything back. I also don't need to lose any more now. I'm very type A and it's hard for me scale back on things. I usually do things all the way or not at all.

If you enjoy working out (lucky you) and have the time, don't stop! I would say that maintaining your weight is worth doing all the way. And for the rest of your life. Many people who have never gotten fat or have lost weight and maintained it are somewhat compulsive. You need to be. This is a culture in which so many forces converge to make you gain weight and get out of shape.

After a time, if you're doing well you may miss a day here and there and it won't be a big deal.

Congratulations

mfpcopine

I am wondering the same thing......just how do you go into maintenance mode??? I have more weight to lose, but am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it is scary....hoping to learn just how to stay the weight I want....I'm not going to lie, it's a scary thought gaining any of this weight back, after all the hard work of taking it off. Good luck to us all!!! :drinker:

It also may be scary to think that you will have to maintain these changes for the rest of your life. That's a big adjustment, even when the benefits are clear. But consider the alternative.

AmyB69

Thanks everyone! My family thinks I'm obsessed! Lol Maybe I am a little. But, I'm determined to stay at a healthy weight. They think since I've reached goal that I should relax. I do want to be more tone. I do some weights, I think maybe I should incorporate more in my work out. But, I love cardio!
We're all going to do great! MFP has been fantastic!
By the way.... I am so glad I'm not the only one feeling this way!

wvval

I reached my goal a couple weeks ago. It is strange to switch modes, but I am getting used to stepping on the scale and wanting it to stay the same:) Now I will use MFP in the process of helping me find a new balance between diet and exercise. Give yourself some time to get into your new way of thinking.

Congratulations on meeting your goal!

RaeN81

Gradually increase your calories (50-100 each week) until you find a balance that keeps you at maintenance. I would not stop exercising (though a rest day each week is good for your body if you do not already take one) but continue this positive habit. Why stop something that you enjoy and is good for you? I might also suggest joining the maintenance group on MFP, they can help you navigate this new territory.

P.S. You might try having some kind of fitness goal to work towards like a race or something so that you can shift your focus away from losing.

Sylkwyrm

I'm in the same boat. I *just* reached my goal weight and I don't know what to do next. I've gotten accustomed to calorie counting and working out 6 days a week. I'm pretty sure if I stop calorie counting I'll backslide, but if I continue counting calories I'm afraid I may aim too low and keep loosing. :-S

I like what RaeN81 said about finding a new goal... maybe I need to do that...