Maintenance Mode, Here I Am!

quietHiker

Well, it surprised me when I hit it, but almost 19 weeks into my weight loss journey on MFP, I have hit my goal weight and then some. I started out at 139 lbs, at a height of 5'6"-ish (not quite 5'7", but certainly not 5'6"). I'm one of those people you see on the boards that struggled to maintain net calories around 1200, even though I knew I should. I was constantly over 1000, but under 1200, as much as I tried to get up there. I would do cardio for 30 minutes at least 2 days a week, and some strength training on the opposite days (just lunges, squats, biceps, triceps, and abs).

I'm here now, because I don't know exactly what to do. I'm trying to get my calories up there so that I don't lose any more weight. I've been down to 125 lbs before and know that is too low a number for my frame size...I try not to freak out when I eat more, but I know deep down I still do. I always have to tell myself that it's ok, and that I've done a good job and eating is a good idea, it's the choices I make (healthy or unhleathy) that I should freak out about if I need to.

I think this part of the journey may very well be the hardest part, and I hope to find some support or help through this group

Thanks! and congrats to you all for reaching your goal weight!

melsinct

Congratulations!

For me, it was all about being in the right frame of mind to have a healthy relationship with food. Thinking of it in the most simplest terms, you eat too much you gain weight. You eat too little, you lose weight. Find the middle ground to maintain. Food isn't evil or bad or anything to be scared of...it is fuel and we need it to live. I tracked what I ate religiously in the first couple months of maintenance and monitored my weight (weighed on the scale a few times a week) until I found the right balance of food/exercise that would keep my weight steady. As long as you are still aware of what you are eating and keeping an eye on the scale or measurements, you aren't going to gain it back.

quietHiker

Thanks!

I always have this issue...I'm a pre-logger when I can be...and tuesdays, I can be. I'm having such a hard time logging my food & exercise, while still trying to get my net calories up! I'm really trying to get into maintenance mode calories (about 1500-1800), but I struggle with just getting UP to the net calories MFP gave me lose 1 lb a week (1220)....but that's also because I watch my nutrient macros in my food diary like a hawk...so even if my calories are down, if my macro levels for the day are reaching their limit, I stop eating....so do I eat more, to get my calories up? or do I pay more attention to my nutrient macros levels?

and then you brought up a good point...maybe I need to cut back my exercise? That just sounds odd to say...but that might be key...I've been exercising for so long, I'm not sure what I'd do, not exercising.

monicaroozo

Hi there! I am new to maintenance as well (just transitioned into a few weeks ago).

I find exercise very important and have NOT cut my exercise. I tend to indulge more on the weekends so I have upped my daily calorie intake to the recommended MFP maintenance values and then I have been eating my weekday workout calories at my weekend or weekday BBQs, dinners and social events.

At first the idea of eating a number as high as 2000 or 2200 on a weekend was terrifying for me... but you've just got to give your numbers a shot!! Life will be much more enjoyable when we can mentally let go of our habits that weighloss have instilled in us!

It has been helpful for me to keep in mind that losing weight was my reward to cutting those calories back. In order to maintain my weight, I still want to feel like I have accomplished something, so setting new fitness goals has been a great way for me to transition into maintenance. I want to build muscle, and that will be my reward to my new caloric allotments and my workouts.

If you struggled with meeting 1200 calories, this could be a challenge to go up!! But there are healthy, high calorie foods that could make that easier. Or there are always protein shakes, bars, and full fat options!

We're here to support one another! Congrats on reaching your goal!!!