life after goal...

Maybe you need just rethink goals. You could have a fitness goal rather than a weight goal. For example, I have a goal to run a 5k, I've signed up for the Warrior Dash in June and after that I think I'll set my goal to a mini triathlon. Physically, some people try to get a lower body fat percentage rather than a number on the scale.

Getting close to my goal, will be interested in how you make the transition. Congratulations - you worked hard!

If you're feeling hungry is it possible that you're eating more carbs these days? I try to reach 100 grams of protein each day and that curbs cravings. Also, as stated above you should create new goals. Do you want to be tighter, faster, or/and stronger? One of my goals this year is to complete 5-6 5K races. I'd like to do a half marathon in December, Vegas baby.

Maybe you could find a goal that has nothing to do with fitness but is emotionally satisfying. Is there a particular cause in which you believe? There are often volunteer opportunities to help children, the elderly, animals, the environment, and many other causes. Our public radio station has great listings of opportunities on their website. Maybe yours will also. For example, one of my friends regularly volunteers at our local food bank and gets a great workout lifting boxes and moving pallets while helping the community. It can be very rewarding to see tangible results from your efforts.

Another idea is to see if there is a club or organization for activities in which you are interested. Maybe there is a local cycling club that has activities or at least social gatherings of people with similar interests. Now that you have reached your goal hopefully you will have more time to devote to your other passions in life.

Congratulations again on reaching your goal. That is a tremendous success and shows that you can do anything you decide to do. Best wishes for finding a good way to maintain for the future. I'm looking forward to that adventure sometime later this year.

I hit my goal over a month ago and also am in maintenance mode. I choose to focus on how I look, and now I have new goals to increase the size of some muscles and sculp others. So far it's going great!

Congratulations on meeting your goal. What you are experiencing - the hunger etc is a very normal part of increasing your calories. Unfortunately, our bodies aren't designed to maintain calorie deficits and lose weight so when we start eating again, all your body wants to do is reverse this starvation. There is an interesting theory named 'set point' which basically implies that there is a weight our body was supposed to be (not always your highest weight) and your body will fight to get back there. That's what make maintenance such hard work. Hang in there Jason - one of the main things that maintainers (and statistically there aren't too many of them) have in common is that they kept up their activity level so you are on the right track!

Nothing at all having to do with the question/issue you posed. Just a HUGE congratulations on your weight loss and thanks for sharing. Your post shows me it's possible and that I just need to stick with it. Normally, I'm starved all of the time. I'm trying now to find foods that are filling and keep that feeling of satiation. Wondering, do you have any tips? Thanks again for your post.

I agree with everyone who suggests setting a fitness goal rather than weight goal. I've been my goal weight for a few years now and to be honest, staying here is super easy now...I just don't even have a desire to eat the crap I used to eat! But that said, I do have fitness goals (like running a half marathon).