will you continue to use mfp in maintainence?

LorinaLynn

Maintaining since June of 2011. It's no different than losing, except with a little more wiggle room.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LorinaLynn/view/it-ain-t-over-when-you-hit-your-goal-423924

acs4162

I reached my "goal" for my weight in June, but I have been setting other fitness goals for myself since then. Once I decided I was at my goal, I upped my caloric intake to 1440 (from 1300) and I have re-incorporated some dairy and some breads back into my diet. (Paleo 80%) I've also let myself enjoy a few cheat foods/meals that I hadn't had in quite some time.

Unfortunately with school starting back I haven't been as active as I really should be, but MFP has really helped me see what I'm eating each day and it's a great reminder to not go crazy on my favorite splurge foods. I have missed a couple of days here and there, but for the most part, I'm still logging and watching my sugars & carbs.

I think like everyone has been saying, I'll keep logging for a while. I do try to listen to my body for when it's full or when it's still hungry. I'm getting better at gagging if I've had too much refined sugar in one day or too much salt or not enough water.

DPernet

Once I reach my goal weight, I will be using MFP for the next few years. Maintaining and bulking/cutting.

Jill_newimprovedversion

YEPPERS! Been in* maintenance mode* for about 8 months and although I don't always log everything in my food diary
( just quick add my allotted daily calories over the weekends)
I do @ least log in every day and keep tabs on everyone else who's in this with me.

I've found that sodium is my nemesis, so I like to keep track of it- and LOVE the recipe tool MFP offers.

Besides, I've met some WONDERFUL friends along this journey- some further down the road than I,
ones in maintenance mode, and some just starting out.........

and when I said I'd stick by them thru thick and thin, I meant maintenance too.

cmriverside

Personal experience: I lost 55 lbs in 2007-08. Late 2008 I thought, "Psh, I got this. I could do this in my head.." Yeh. I could do it in my head. And I did. For a while.

Thennnnn.....the pants got mysteriously tighter.

One day I couldn't remember the last time I ate vegetables.

I went to the gym once a week.

My friends and I were drinking more.

Slippery slope, let me tell you. By the time I found a scale (mine broke, but, "I got this.") I found I was 20 lbs up again.

The last thing I want to do is have to lose those again.

So, it's better to keep a closer tab than I was doing. I go through phases where I don't log, then I do, but it's a good place to remind me how easy it is to fall.

amunet07

I have learned the hard way that I cannot navigate maintinance without MFP I have tried it and I gained it all back slowly.

Jill_newimprovedversion

I liken keeping my food diary like keeping track of my $funds$ in my checkbook register.

and my scale's like my GPS when I'm traveling- gets me back on track if I stray off course.

TinGirl314

I will continue to log...it doesn't take a lot of time and sometimes I'm still shell shocked at what's in certain foods.
Unless I can learn to spot the calories in something by looking at it, I'm stickin around.

Erisad

Yes because if I don't, I'll have to do this all over again.

jenneal89

Oh yes!! Even more so. That way I won't go over my calories and gain it back

Leeannboswell

Yes! I will post FOREVER! It's one of the tools I can use to keep me from EVER being fat again in my life!!! It's free, it's fun, and oh so helpful.

LeeAnn

bluelena

Absolutely! I can't imagine hitting goal and then just quitting MFP. It's the first time in years I've held myself accountable. Why stop at maintenance?

ghostpixie

Once I get to my GW I plan to continue using MFP for logging, that way I don't slide back

llkilgore

I've been in maintenance for a full year and my weight has held steady so far. I still log every day and still practice strict portion control of all calorie dense foods. If I super-size a serving of something it will be broccoli or green beans, not pasta. I don't find it difficult to stay within my calorie budget most days and I have no fear of returning to all of my bad habits tomorrow if I drop my guard. I'm afraid of drift.

dorothytd

Yep. Using it every day. I've been in maintenance for close to 6 years now and since joining MFP in March after hearing a nutritionist speak. It has made me more dedicated and consistent. What did she say? Accountability is FOR LIFE. Not just for calories, but for protein intake and getting enough exercise. I'm not perfect, and lose track at the end of the day sometimes, but it is a wonderful tool that I'll keep using as long as I can!!

Tonigirl519

yeah....from what I've read...tracking is a part of this lifestyle journey...so yes I will be an ongoing tracker here.

katejkelley

I will probably use MFP indefinitely. I've read so many posts from people who stopped logging in and started regaining their weight. I find it so helpful to see how many calories I'm eating and burning each day, I don't see a reason to stop even when I don't need to lose anymore weight.

reneecgc

I basically still calculate but I am not as strict as when I was losing. As long as the scale says that I am Okay that
is all that matters.

katevarner

Currently in maintenance and still logging. Been down this road several times before and always gained it back, sometimes more, sometimes less, but this time was the biggest I had ever been not pregnant. I'm 47 and it was harder this time to lose, and I know it will be even harder to do it again. Rather log for the rest of my life.

quill16

It has taken me 18 months to lose the weight. I've been at goal for 3 months. I have a 5-10 lb window and as soon as I gain I start again on 1200 cals and vigorous exercise until I am back down. it is still a struggle and I look at logging as a lifestyle.