Anyone Maintaining?

It took me about a year to lose over 65 lbs. I started obese (literally and scientifically, I'm not beating myself up). My BMI is now in the normal range, as is my body fat percentage and muscle mass percentage. When I was obese, all I wanted to be was normal. I wanted to look normal and feel normal. Not skinny (it's just not in my bone structure to ever pull that off), just normal.

So here I am.

I've maintained my weight within 3 lbs since March. I still weigh weekly to help myself avoid gaining too much weight before I intervene.

So, for those of you who are maintaining your weight loss, how do you wrap your head around it? I mean, I know it's a pretty big accomplishment to have maintained this weight loss for 6 months. But I still feel my heart sinking each week when I see that I haven't lost anything. Or that I've gained a pound, even though I know it's completely normal for people's weight to fluctuate 2-3 lbs. I still beat myself up for allowing myself a treat, even if I've eaten all my fruits, veggies and lean dairy for the day. In fact, I haven't even set up MFP to "maintain my current weight", because the extra 500 calories a day scare the spit out of me!

This whole maintenance thing feels like a whole new lifestyle change. Again.

Any advice on how to turn this negative thought process around?

Replies

  • MelisRunning
    MelisRunning Posts: 819 Member
    I am in maintaining also. Since I am presently training for a half marathon I am running like a crazy person and really am not having any problems with calorie goals. I am eating smarter and allowing treats! Do not be afraid of numbers. Sounds like you are doing a good job with it. Keep up the good work!
  • So glad you asked this question!! I have been maintaining now for only 2 weeks and am so scared of putting on the weight I lost. So far, I have had a very hard time meeting my maintainence calorie goal (just can't eat that much!) so I have remained steady at my goal weight for the last 2 weeks. One thing I have done is give a lot of my clothes away that are now too big. I don't want to be that size again, so why keep them? I can't afford to buying clothes every other month becuase of weight gain/loss so this is a huge motivation for me to maintain. Any advice on this topic is greatly appreciated.
  • sukatx
    sukatx Posts: 103
    Thanks, y'all. This maintenance thing is really a head game so far.