Thank you so much for continuing to post. I have followed your progress over the past two years and your insights have served as a valuable role model as I reach my goal.

oh that's so great! We should be friends I think then--I'll send you a request

Do you find yourself 'trapped' in the persona of being a 'weight loser/maintainer' at the expense of transitioning to some other type of hobby/activity that would exercise your creative mind (vs the 'stats & numbers' analytical side?).

Hi! thanks so much for your note and comments, and congrats on your current success! Well, you nailed it--I think my need to stay fit and maintain, happening at the same time I was learning to be a stay-at-home mom, I'm guessing zapped any energy I had at finding a new career. I figured I'd stop work for a year or so and now it has been a lot longer! The good news is, I did find something I love more, this healthy lifestyle and hopefully will find a paying career with it at some point.

As for the numbers? I don't know--it's important to use the numbers and learn from them. It's just this warped self-pereception takes over sometimes and you lose track of reality. I think knowing when to stop and take those steps back to keep yourself in check are key because there's a fine line between being "on it" and being obsessive and it's not always clear to anyone.

But, on the food/eating topic, I didn't have a major problem with breaking out of the calorie and dieting mode. Once I learned to average calories for the week, I stopped worrying about going over and under each day, and usually stayed at plan. And it has always been important to me to keep eating the things that make me happy...wine, dessert when I go want it, etc....I don't think you can maintaing by denying yourself of that kind when it isn't the norm, and as long as you are exercising. Oh, one thing I failed to mention about diet and food is getting into micro-managing the protein/carbs/fats----that's one thing I did start to track and it made me dizzy after awhile, I did back down from it eventually because I think my general diet is good and on track.

Good luck with everything, and let me know if you need more support!

I'm completely new to the maintenance lifestyle and your post and blogs have given me lots to think about so thanks for sharing.

In my 11 months of losing I worried I was becoming obsessed with the logging, and we'll see how I do while maintaining. My goal for now is to keep logging as that's what got me to lose the weight, it's just a question of if I'll keep it up long term.
It was good for me that shortly after reaching my goal weight I went on a trip to Africa and had no internet access so couldn't log. Although I did write down everything I ate in a small notebook just so I could see on paper how much I was consuming.

Anyway, thanks for your post Robin.

congrations and glad you found it helpful! if you are looking for support, please feel free to add me