Your tips to maintaining?
Fruitylicious03
Posts: 301
Hello! 
I'm not at maintenance yet, I was just wondering if anyone has any tips/rules/habits that they use to maintain their weight without counting calories? Or do you all still count? And do you plan on counting forever if you do?
I'm not at maintenance yet, I was just wondering if anyone has any tips/rules/habits that they use to maintain their weight without counting calories? Or do you all still count? And do you plan on counting forever if you do?
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I still count and I still exercise....and lift! I have increased my calories since reaching maintenance but I am not as anal about what I eat. If I go over, no harm done because I know what I need to do to get back to my goal. Also, you cant think of your maintenance weight as a number, it will now be a range. I fluctuate between 121-124 in any given week....and thats okay. Maintenance is fun because I'm allowing myself all those things I once gave up to reach my goal but I still control the portions and dont obsess over every morsel I eat.
In essence, I still do everything I did while losing, I just eat a little more and actually get to enjoy it. Good luck to you!0 -
Don't stop working out. I personally haven't counted in years, but I never really counted steady anyway.0
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emerald83112 wrote: »I still count and I still exercise....and lift! I have increased my calories since reaching maintenance but I am not as anal about what I eat. If I go over, no harm done because I know what I need to do to get back to my goal. Also, you cant think of your maintenance weight as a number, it will now be a range. I fluctuate between 121-124 in any given week....and thats okay. Maintenance is fun because I'm allowing myself all those things I once gave up to reach my goal but I still control the portions and dont obsess over every morsel I eat.
In essence, I still do everything I did while losing, I just eat a little more and actually get to enjoy it. Good luck to you!
This^ 100% Only a higher weight range for me.
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Um...OP deactivated her account? HUH?0
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emerald83112 wrote: »Um...OP deactivated her account? HUH?
Oh no I didn't lol. It's a ghost account apparently. It shows such but I'm still here0 -
For me maintenance is about always setting new fitness goals. My weight will fluctuate the usual 5 lbs. here and there, so I don't focus on that although I do weigh regularly. Keeping measurements is important.
I don't log food accurately. I keep a log of WHAT I eat and how much, but not to track calories. If I notice a weight gain or I'm feeling poorly then I just look back at my log and see if there's something I need to change.0 -
QFTFor me maintenance is about always setting new fitness goals. My weight will fluctuate the usual 5 lbs. here and there, so I don't focus on that although I do weigh regularly. Keeping measurements is important.
I don't log food accurately. I keep a log of WHAT I eat and how much, but not to track calories. If I notice a weight gain or I'm feeling poorly then I just look back at my log and see if there's something I need to change.
My weight fluctuates as well - I don't stress it. As long as I can still fit into my clothes, I'm good to go. I DO have a range for the scale where, if I hit the top number I start to pay closer attention to my food choices and snacking. I log religiously, but more to keep myself accountable for my choices than to stay within my calorie goal right now. When I hit 135, I actually pay attention to what/how much I'm really eating.
BZAH10 has it right - set fitness goals. I signed up for a few races to keep me active this winter because left to my own devices I'll pretend I'm a bear and try to bulk up and hibernate when it's cold. Those fitness goals will help keep you interested and engaged when you might rather be hibernating.
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I don't log, and haven't at all in my year and a half of maintenance. I do still weigh myself regularly, but basically just keep doing what you were doing to lose the weight - just eat a little more!0
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I still log all of my food, but basically follow the above posts' advice. I don't freak over going over my calorie goal, but I try to keep to it on a weekly and not daily basis. I work out more than ever, but then...I have more ice cream than ever. If I really overindulge on one day, I am more careful the next. So far no problem for me. Also, yes, your weight fluctuates! So do not panic! Mine is up and down 2-3 lbs.
Best of luck
Stef.0 -
I try to just eat intuitively and eat mostly healthy things, but I like to eat some junk food every day so I don't get intense cravings. I generally don't log my food unless I feel like I'm eating too little. I also try to exercise at least 4 times a week 0
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I was fat a long time and only had long term success by calorie counting so I have no intention of stopping logging.
However, I'm use it as a tool and not as a restriction. My logging is more relaxed at maintenance with more estimating. Although I mostly meet my goal I'm also relaxed about having low days and high days and accept fluctuations in weight.
If I go out for a nice meal I choose my food based on taste not calories, when I go on holiday eating and drinking is part of the enjoyment of the holiday. I'll just sort out the inevitable weight gain when I get back home.
Really have to think long term sustainability whatever method you choose.
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I don't count/weigh/measure/log. I eat what I normally eat, which is plant based (with some fish/meat), nutrient dense, low CRAP. Weigh regularly. Walk/run at least 10,000 steps a day. Do weight bearing exercise.
In fact, I kept eating what and how much I was eating and one day the weight loss stopped. And my weight stabilized.
Best of luck to you ghost OP (it really does show that you deactivated).0 -
For me, continuing to count and continuing to work out are key.0
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Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
Best of luck to you ghost OP (it really does show that you deactivated).
Haha I know. Many have told me so.
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great question, OP!
I'm about 2-3 kg (4-6 lbs) away from my goal weight and looking into maintenance plans now. I had in mind to keep doing what I'm doing with exercise and continuing to log but like the others, I'm also starting to re-introduce favourite comfort foods again (not every day and I'm still watching portion sizes) but keeping up my daily cardio and eating clean at least 80% every day is helping me get there. I too have noticed the scale moves around a kilo up or down as I'm getting close to my goal weight.... it took much longer to get past my last plateau so I'm really not fighting with it at this stage, just continuing to eat well and exercise. I hope you get to your goal soon! It's a good feeling being this close.0 -
For me maintenance is about always setting new fitness goals. My weight will fluctuate the usual 5 lbs. here and there, so I don't focus on that although I do weigh regularly. Keeping measurements is important.
I don't log food accurately. I keep a log of WHAT I eat and how much, but not to track calories. If I notice a weight gain or I'm feeling poorly then I just look back at my log and see if there's something I need to change.
I second this! Your weight will fluctuate, but it's still a good idea to keep measurements so you can catch yourself before you go too far in either direction.
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I do everything I did while losing weight, just with a little bit more wiggle room I obviously eat more and limited my workouts to 5 days a week instead of 6. I do a lot more strength/toning exercises since I'm not as concerned with burning calories/fat. I still track my food, but on the weekends I am very flexible and don't beat myself up if I go over my calorie goal. I eat treats if I feel like eating them, I just moderate and make sure I'm not going crazy or over the top Good luck!! 0
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The difference between my maintenance and losing is a mere handful of calories...that's it...a couple of snacks really.0
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emerald83112 wrote: »I still count and I still exercise....and lift! I have increased my calories since reaching maintenance but I am not as anal about what I eat. If I go over, no harm done because I know what I need to do to get back to my goal. Also, you cant think of your maintenance weight as a number, it will now be a range. I fluctuate between 121-124 in any given week....and thats okay. Maintenance is fun because I'm allowing myself all those things I once gave up to reach my goal but I still control the portions and dont obsess over every morsel I eat.
In essence, I still do everything I did while losing, I just eat a little more and actually get to enjoy it. Good luck to you!
This^ 100% Only a higher weight range for me.
This for me also.0 -
I just hit my goal 185 down from 254. well technically I'm 181 at this point. any advice on maintaining/ building lean mass /lowering bf% changing this up is worrying me >.<0
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cwolfman13 wrote: »The difference between my maintenance and losing is a mere handful of calories...that's it...a couple of snacks really.
Well said ☺0 -
I don't count calories. I use to whe I first started losing. But now I'm more aware of what I put into my body. If I'm eating healthy foods then I don't worry as much. I don't gorge or anything but I don't obsess over the number of calories I eat.0
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i plan on doing mostly the same. probably take my weekly running mileage down a bit, and slowly increase daily calories. i'll still count - i really like the awareness.0
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I have a few meals that I can go to for breakfast and lunch that I know their calorie counts so pick on those for those 2 meals. Then for dinner I have whatever but keep it to one plate. I have an evening treat most nights but keep it to a half cup serving or a single serve. Also I weigh myself everyday and if my weight is up ill eat from a smaller plate at dinner and not have a treat until my weight is back down.0
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I am almost to my maintenance weight range. I want to be between 125-130 and I am so close. I will say that for me I NEED accountability and I feel like if I see I can keep a better handle on the calories in/out and to keep myself from getting where I was when I started. I will say that if I miss a day I don't freak out but I still will put that food in just to see where I was that day and what I did.0
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I don't count. Now I just eat when I'm hungry (Before I used to eat for the sake of eating) and I weigh myself regularly (3 days a week) to make sure that my weight stays in check. I also make sure to only drink water and diet soda's.0
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Yup. Or a couple of glasses of wine. Cheers.RunRutheeRun wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »The difference between my maintenance and losing is a mere handful of calories...that's it...a couple of snacks really.
Well said ☺
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I reached my goal in September and logged faithfully until Thanksgiving when it just got too hard to figure out my meal! That being said I was careful about my portions and no seconds. That is how I'm doing it now. I don't log but I'm very aware of what I eat. I've actually lost 5 more pounds since I stopped logging because I'm scared I'm going to overeat I actually eat less now. I'll give it 5 more pounds and then if I'm still losing I'll start logging again. I'm 54 and don't want to get too thin and look saggy. Maintenance is fun!!0
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Roxiegirl2008 wrote: »I am almost to my maintenance weight range. I want to be between 125-129 and I am so close(range 129-134 weekly). I will say that for me I NEED accountability and I feel like if I see I can keep a better handle on the calories in/out and to keep myself from getting where I was when I started. I will say that if I miss a day I don't freak out but I still will put that food in just to see where I was that day and what I did.
This!0 -
I have reached 180 range and have been concerned for some time about maintaining once I got here. I expect to maintain my calorie log as it is good to know input versus output to maintain consistency. My concern right now is making sure I eat enough to maintain and not continue to loose. I started my journey January 2014 at 275+ pounds and since starting MFP have lost 94.5 lbs. Recent visit to Nutritionist tells me that my body still thinks I should be 180 and will be 6 months before it believes that 180 is my correct weight. So next 6 months will be tracking like I have been till this time.0
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