What happens when you reach your goal weight?

I'd be interested in knowing the answer to this question as well. I had reached my goal weight last summer. Unfortunately, b/c I don't know how to maintain, I've gained almost all of my weight back :grumble:. I've gone from a size 12 petite, back up to a size 16. I'm also finding it very hard to stick with MFP this time compared to last time. Of course, all of the parties (birthday's, communions, confirmations, graduations, etc.) I've been invited to since May doesn't help either.

If I'm able to go back down to a size 12, how do I maintain that weight? I'm afraid that if I stick with the calorie intake at that time, that I'll lose more than I want.

When you reach your goal weight, you need to change you goals in the goal settings. Change to maintain weight.

While your adjusting, don't forget that after you've changed your lifestyle that it doesn't mean you "get" to add just any food back to your diet. Maintain the healthy choices you've made. Remember to continue to eat fresh foods high in fiber, continue to eat healthy protein that isn't saturated in fats. Continue to stay away from treats and keep all those treats in moderation. When you add calories back to your weight management plan, be sure they are healthy foods that have healthy fat such as avocadoes or olives not deep fried fats and empty calorie starches. Do not expand your meals and meal size, add an extra snack that has the calories you need to adjust for.

When I hit my goal weight MFP changed my weight loss goal to maintain on it's own.

As for the rest here are the common suggestions.

When you are 10-15lbs from goal weight change your goal to 1/2lb a week. This allows for more calories naturally. 1lb a week with 10lbs is too agressive.

The process is called reverse dieting. When you are at goal weight you start adding 50-100 calories a day per week and watch your weight. You keep doing this until you stop losing or gain...then you know your maitenance estimate.

Allow yourself a range for maitenance, for example my goal weight was 155 and I set my weight loss goal to 1/2lb a week at 10lbs. When I hit maitenance I start adding in calories 50 a day I am currently eating 1950 but still losing weight. So I am down to about 153 (which is fine as I set a range of 5lbs for myself.) my maitenance is about 2100 so I will be there by the end of June.

Continue your routine of exercise, logging weighing your solids etc.

As for what I do with my extra calories...I have added in more carbs, more ice cream, more bacon.

I don't agree with this at all

While your adjusting, don't forget that after you've changed your lifestyle that it doesn't mean you "get" to add just any food back to your diet. Maintain the healthy choices you've made. Remember to continue to eat fresh foods high in fiber, continue to eat healthy protein that isn't saturated in fats. Continue to stay away from treats and keep all those treats in moderation. When you add calories back to your weight management plan, be sure they are healthy foods that have healthy fat such as avocadoes or olives not deep fried fats and empty calorie starches. Do not expand your meals and meal size, add an extra snack that has the calories you need to adjust for.

or this

I have 8lbs before maintenance so at the 10lb mark I switched from lose 2lbs per week to 1.5... when I have 5lbs left I'll do 1lb a week and so on until I'm at maintenance

As long as you weigh and log accurately you can use your "extra" calories for whatever you want. My meals are pretty much the same as they ever were because those meals satisfy me...so why not add in extra treats, such as ice cream or the extra slice of bacon or an extra long island ice tea...

I went on maintenance a week or two ago by manually changing my info. I went from 1200 calories to 1540 calories. I have since lost 2 pounds but I think I am where I am suppose to be.

For maintaining your goal weight you have to continue with healthy foods. If you again start oily or greasy food after weight loss, then it will not take more than one month to get in previous position. You have to make sure you are taking the required calory. Continue with your exercise or walk. Drink green tea or lemon tea.

You can maintain your weight (or lose, if you want) eating whatever you want - a calorie is a calorie no matter where it comes from. Foods with grease and oil in them usually contain MORE calories per weight than nice, leafy green veggies, but there's no reason you can't have fries or a hamburger if you want them. Sheesh.

MANY people continue to log all their foods even after reaching maintenance. I plan on doing this. Once you reach your desired weight, change your settings in MFP to 'maintain' rather than lose, then eat the number of calories it tells you to. You can do it. :flowerforyou:

For maintaining your goal weight you have to continue with healthy foods. If you again start oily or greasy food after weight loss, then it will not take more than one month to get in previous position. You have to make sure you are taking the required calory. Continue with your exercise or walk. Drink green tea or lemon tea.

You can eat whatever you want to maintain as long as you stay within your calorie goals. It's also not necessary to drink tea. Just keep up the habits you have learned losing weight, slowly up calories, and stop when you are able to stay within a weight range.

When I hit my goal weight MFP changed my weight loss goal to maintain on it's own.

As for the rest here are the common suggestions.

When you are 10-15lbs from goal weight change your goal to 1/2lb a week. This allows for more calories naturally. 1lb a week with 10lbs is too agressive.

The process is called reverse dieting. When you are at goal weight you start adding 50-100 calories a day per week and watch your weight. You keep doing this until you stop losing or gain...then you know your maitenance estimate.

Allow yourself a range for maitenance, for example my goal weight was 155 and I set my weight loss goal to 1/2lb a week at 10lbs. When I hit maitenance I start adding in calories 50 a day I am currently eating 1950 but still losing weight. So I am down to about 153 (which is fine as I set a range of 5lbs for myself.) my maitenance is about 2100 so I will be there by the end of June.

Continue your routine of exercise, logging weighing your solids etc.

As for what I do with my extra calories...I have added in more carbs, more ice cream, more bacon.

I don't agree with this at all

While your adjusting, don't forget that after you've changed your lifestyle that it doesn't mean you "get" to add just any food back to your diet. Maintain the healthy choices you've made. Remember to continue to eat fresh foods high in fiber, continue to eat healthy protein that isn't saturated in fats. Continue to stay away from treats and keep all those treats in moderation. When you add calories back to your weight management plan, be sure they are healthy foods that have healthy fat such as avocadoes or olives not deep fried fats and empty calorie starches. Do not expand your meals and meal size, add an extra snack that has the calories you need to adjust for.

or this

I have 8lbs before maintenance so at the 10lb mark I switched from lose 2lbs per week to 1.5... when I have 5lbs left I'll do 1lb a week and so on until I'm at maintenance

As long as you weigh and log accurately you can use your "extra" calories for whatever you want. My meals are pretty much the same as they ever were because those meals satisfy me...so why not add in extra treats, such as ice cream or the extra slice of bacon or an extra long island ice tea...

Pretty much all of this.