Transitioning from weight loss to weight maintenance

beckawall

Hi everyone,

So I've had quite a bit of success through MFP - I'm 1 pound from my goal weight! (WAHOO!) I've been dieting for about 2 years now, and I've become a much healthier eater and happier overall, so cheers to that.

But I'm trying to plan ahead a little bit for when I hit maintenance -I don't want to gain back the weight!

I've decided to leave myself a 3 pound buffer of potential weight gain, since I understand it's normal to gain a smidge of it back, with 5 pounds being the number where I'll need to take action again.

But I'd like to hear from all of you how you have made the transition. I've set up regular monthly appointments with a nutritionist and worked with her to work out a calorie goal, talked to my doctor about what I need more in my diet, and plan on still keeping a food log - but I'm very, very nervous to switch from loss to maintenance.

So my questions for you all are:
- I haven't really eaten back very many of my exercise calories as of late, particularly since I'm in that final push. Do you usually eat back your exercise calories on maintenance?
- Does the maintenance calories that MFP gives you work for you as a goal? What does? I know everyone varies, but I'd love to hear what you all have been doing.
- Any tips for me since I'm hitting this goal around the Holidays? I plan on keeping my daily food log, as always, but it's easy to overeat on holidays that are all about eating in general, especially when you're so close (or perhaps even at!) such a huge goal.

Thanks everyone and happy thanksgiving!