How do you know when you are ready for maintenance and not weight loss?

Firstly congratulations on reaching your goal. I'm 9lbs away from mine and I'm already imagining what it'll be like.

I am certainly no expert but from what I understand, and from what you've written, it's the macros and your exercise that you need to concentrate on now.

The only way to get a flatter stomach is to lower your body fat percentage. Sadly, it's usually the last bit to go. Having abs is great but you won't see them with a layer of fat over the top.

I can't wait to get where you are!!

sgthaggard wrote: »

I'm right where you are (1lb to go). I set that goal (122) from the beginning, have been focusing on strength training, with some cardio thrown in to basically allow me to eat more.

That goal is my absolute bottom. Once I hit it, I will start to gradually up my calories to maintenance, continue lifting heavy and start the long process of body recomp (losing fat, gaining muscle). I've set my goal weight low enough so I won't have any issues if my weight actually increases as long as it nets me the body I want.

My hero! I'm feeling inspired

I'm sure more experienced individuals will reply to this, but muscle building will be key to getting the physical appearance you want, regardless of a number on the scale. I'm sure you've read about "skinny fat." You can weigh what you number you set for yourself, but muscle building will help lean you out, keeping lean muscle mass and making the fat percentage go down.
Certainly something I need to work on myself!!

Congrats on reaching your goal and all the hard work you've put in! Great job
Take a moment to be proud of yourself!

Congrats!
I looked in the mirror and knew I should stop because my face has gotten too thin and my pelvis bones are pointing out. I do have a wide pelvis though.

soccerkon26 wrote: »

I am about .5 pounds away from my proposed goal weight!!! But, there are still some things about my body that I want to improve (leaner stomach and legs, along with stronger arms and glutes in the future).

How do you know when to stop losing weight and eat at maintenance? Is anyone else having this problem?

I would not make my goal maintenance until I was happy with how I looked in the mirror and didn't want to change anything else. I know I had to readjust my goal down several times in order to get as lean as I actually wanted to. Once that happened, I needed to build more muscle to look good lean so I started adjust my goal up. Once I had built more muscle, there were some fat gains (as there ALWAYS are when you focus on muscle building) so back down the goal went. I don't know that I'll ever want to just maintain. There is always something new to reach for. Hitting goals has always been just an evaluation point for me. Once you hit your goal, decide what is most important to you. Getting leaner? Building muscle? Gaining strength? Increasing endurance? Anything really. Once you establish your new priorities, adjust your diet and training to achieve them.

Once you switch to maintenance you will put on 2-3 pounds of water weight and glycogen stores, so diet down 2-3 pounds under your goal before going to maintenance. (Alternatively, get to goal weight then move to maintenance adding 100 cals a week, will accomplish the same thing or appx)
Then lifting, lifting, lifting to get the look you want