How much leeway do you give yourself?

I'm going to preface this by saying that I'm 5'1" and so every pound gained or lost is unfortunately really noticeable on my short, small-boned frame. Because you are taller than me, your range will be larger (as TavistockToad said, 5ish lbs is a good range). My personal range is about 3 pounds. In my first few weeks of trying to maintain I dropped to what I discovered is the lowest weight I can be at healthily, 102-- thus I discovered that my range is 3 lbs since the tummy pudge comes back noticeably at over 105. If I were to be over 105 consistently for 2 or more weeks, I would go back to eating at a small deficit again.

I think there are 2 very important things to remember for maintaining: #1 is to keep accurate exercise, food, and weight records for at least the first few months, so you can find your true maintenance number (MFP's estimate is a little low for me, for example); I find it very helpful to be able to look at the record of net calories and weight gained or lost in the last 2 weeks or so as that's the only way to find the calories that will allow you to maintain well long-term. #2 is to not stress out over small gains or losses. I have a lot of trouble with this, but I am working on it!

I have been in maintaining my goal weight of 125 for several years now. Sometimes I drop to 123, sometimes (more often) I got up to 127 or 128. Once I got up to 130 and when back into strict weight loss mode until I was back down to 125.

I go for 2 kg (4.4lbs) range. It seems for my body to be a good indicator - any less and natural day fluctuations effect it. I hop on scales daily, same time, same (lack of ) clothes. If I find I'm over I'm just a bit more vigilant with my portion sizes. Works for me

None. My ideal weight was higher when I was young and had an hourglass shape. I used to have a two-pound range. Now, it is narrowed down to just the one pound.

My range is between 170 and 175. Normally I'm right in the middle of it and don't fluctuate all that much unless I've loaded up on sodium because of a dinner date, etc.

A good rule of thumb is to stay within + or - 10% of your ideal body weight. There are normal fluctuations but its definitely important to stop yourself from derailing all your hard work.

A good rule of thumb is to stay within + or - 10% of your ideal body weight. There are normal fluctuations but its definitely important to stop yourself from derailing all your hard work.

My ideal body weight is 150ish pounds. If I gave myself a 10% window, that'd be 15 lbs. For me, that would be much too large of a range and I'd have to have 2 sets of sizes in clothes.

Yeah, I'm thinking maybe she meant 1% - so that would be a 3lbs wide window for 150lbs

Personally I have a 3 pound range which seems to work quite well, I also keep a clothing size range, I hate having multiple sizes in the closet for skinny or fat days so I found where I was most comfortable and use those items as an indicator.

A good rule of thumb is to stay within + or - 10% of your ideal body weight. There are normal fluctuations but its definitely important to stop yourself from derailing all your hard work.

I actually don't think that's a good idea. My ideal weight is 152 pounds (according to the NIH), which would mean I could go up to 167 without worrying. Well, in truth, I was at my ideal weight when I graduated from college and gained that 15% - for 25 years. It was after menopause that my metabolism changed and I shot up other 10% that I started here. That was dumb.

I should have started watching my food intake at 2-3% - for me that would be 3-5 pounds. That's a natural variation from day-to-day, but it's not a weight gain. You start going more than that and, unless it's muscle (and you'd know if it was), that's fat. If you're at your ideal weight, I think it's worth staying there.

I've been essentially in maintenance mode at ~147 lbs for about a year now. (With a a few ups and downs for holidays and vacations...) I weigh myself every day, and my observed maintenance range is about 9 lbs: 143 - 152 lbs. This is consistent with my expected glycogen + water storage capacity, so I'm pretty happy about this range.

Edited:
I should note I've been experimenting with weekly calorie goals over the last few months. (Eating less on weekdays and more on weekends...) This certainly causes larger daily fluctuations than if you're just trying to hit the same calorie goal every day of the week.

Hi everyone. I have 2 lbs to go and I will have reached my goal and then I will start into the maintenance phase, which I am actually scared about but I know I can do it and this forum is great for advice and tips. I am 5'5" and will be 125 lbs when I reach my goal. My question to everyone is how many pounds leeway do you give yourself before eating at a deficit again. I do weigh everyday and record weekly and I don't let fluctuations get me down as I know the scale is not everything and our bodies are not still Thank you in advance for your responses. Cheers!

I feel you completely.. I am 5'4" and weigh 130 today.. 2 lbs. away from goal.. i pretty much know that for the past 20 years when i hit 135 thats when i freak out and start logging in my weight again and then i am happy at 128... but i am desperately trying not to do that anymore yo yo thing.. therefore since i am all into PALEO now. i am going to maybe try to get down to 125 and give myself until 130 from now on.... tired of getting to that 135 mark...... not many people understand when you have only 2 lbs. to lose.. but I do.. keep it up and DONT let yourself go more then 5 lbs.. or you will hit the YO YO game like i have..