Maintainers for over a year secret?

seltzermint555 wrote: »

I have been using MFP since March 2013 and for the last year (Dec 2014 to present) I have been in the same 10 lb range so I consider that maintenance for me. My highest ever weight was 307 and now I'm in the low 170s. So I guess I qualify...I'm only down 3 lb from 1 year ago but for me, that's still kind of amazing. Size 10 skinny jeans and all...hehe. I got to this point around October 2014 and originally planned to "stop" in the 150s but never made it that far down (yet) so happily maintaining in the 160s-170s. I used to log every bite every day. Now I'd say I log 80% of the time. I'm happy though!

That is fantastic and very much counts as maintaining. Good for you!

It doesn't have to be effortless, but it should be comfortable. If it's a strain to maintain, perhaps the daily rhythm or goals need to adjust. I lost nearly 70 lbs, found that was rough to keep up, floated back up to a comfortable spot and just stay within a reasonable range 5-10 lbs higher than my lowest. Can I get there again? Sure, but I don't want to be there if I'm going to be food stressed again.

I have been in maintenance about 2.5 years, staying within 5lbs of my ideal weight. I log everything I eat and all of my exercise calories, every day, I have a 950+ day streak. I don't find it a burden any more than I do brushing my teeth or showering, it is just something that I have to do, whether I feel like it or not!

I injured my foot in August and have had to totally stop running, which was a huge part of my cardio regiment. Without those extra calories to eat back it has been tougher, but I just made it through the holidays without gaining, primarily by adding alternative cardio. I don't think I could have maintained without closely tracking my calories.

llbrixon wrote: »

How many people have reached their goal, been maintaining for at least a year or more, and still come back to My Fitness Pal to check in once in to post their weight to stay accountable?

Yeah, it helps. It's pretty easy to maintain without logging if you're experienced with calorie counts and can eyeball stuff well, and I've been essentially maintaining for decades. But in my more recent case, I need the math to do stuff like calorie cycling and intermittent fasting related to lifting. I can't eyeball and do the mental math well enough to manage that properly. So, I log. I eat mostly the same stuff through the week so it's no big time sink anyways.

I've been at goal since May 2012. Today was my 1,745th consecutive day of logging. I like keeping a food journal and I've made a few good friends here.

I stopped losing around October of 2014. I maintained that weight until September 2015 and then started a bulk cycle. I've gained 8-10 lbs in the past 4 months, on purpose, and plan to start cutting on February 8. So it's been over a year since I hit my initial goal weight, but I've never fallen off the bandwagon. I was a yo-yo dieter from ages 16-22 and this is the only time I haven't inadvertently gained the weight I lost back almost immediately.

The only secret is that I have is that I've never left MFP. I haven't stopped logging and I don't plan to in the foreseeable future. Discovering that I truly love weightlifting/bodybuilding was really helpful in making that switch. I no longer just want to hit some arbitrary number on a scale and stay there. There's no finish line when it comes to my fitness goals - progress doesn't stop once the excess fat is gone. I want to get stronger and I want to put on muscle. The most efficient way to do that is cutting and bulking cycles, so I need to know that my nutrition is on point.

I went from eating under 1200 calories a day (the dark times) to 1400 to 1600 to 1800 before I realized that I didn't have to be miserable and hungry all day to lose weight. I lost the last 15ish pounds at 1850 calories/day. I maintained at 2150 calories/day and I've gotten up to 2660 calories/day during this bulk, and I'm only gaining about 0.5 lb/week. Realizing that I could reach my goals without hating the process changed my mindset. To me, maintenance doesn't appeal to me - it's like sitting in one spot and making no progress. No thanks. Bulking is a blast, cutting isn't so bad, and the results are worth it all.

I've been down over 70 pounds for about 15 months now. I still keep up with logging constantly, and just stay pretty active. For me, the exercise is now my favorite part of the day.

You might think that you get to the point where you start to not think about it as much, but I've found that's never been the case for me. I don't beat myself up whatsoever for a bad stretch anymore (like the Holidays) but I still find myself trying as much as I can to stay on top of my diet.

I am at 4 years maintenance and rarely log my food anymore. I am back right now because I gained 4-5 pounds after being off work and the holidays. For me, the secret is eat good food, do exercise that you like and only have one size pants ( none streachy pants!!!).....when those get a bit snug.....time to look at what I am doing.

bw_conway wrote: »

I have been in maintenance about 2.5 years, staying within 5lbs of my ideal weight. I log everything I eat and all of my exercise calories, every day, I have a 950+ day streak. I don't find it a burden any more than I do brushing my teeth or showering, it is just something that I have to do, whether I feel like it or not!

I injured my foot in August and have had to totally stop running, which was a huge part of my cardio regiment. Without those extra calories to eat back it has been tougher, but I just made it through the holidays without gaining, primarily by adding alternative cardio. I don't think I could have maintained without closely tracking my calories.

Great post, @bw_conway ! Very helpful!

hyg99 wrote: »

I've set my calories at a 1/2 lb loss as found normal settings not quite working. I frequently go over by a few calories and eat my exercise burns (hence the settings) and this is working for me.
I still log, but I don't whilst on holiday (but still aim to stay within my usual regime) as feels like a "break" but the rest of the time I do. I don't do cheat days. If I know I've a big meal out planned (birthday or work do) I make sure I do extra exercise that day and still try and make sensible choices.

I do this as well BUT I do log on holidays as that keeps me honest when I eat an extra chocolate truffle or add an extra helping of chips and queso! I have a bad memory when it comes to the smaller things, especially those that end up in my mouth because those calories add up! I also do not believe in cheat days; rather I give myself permission to enjoy something with no guilt, knowing that I will make up for it in other ways. My trainer was amazed that I actually lost a pound during the holidays while eating all that holiday "extra."

Maintaining for 2 years now; first time in 45 years I haven't yo-yo'd back up. For me - I log everything (1120 days now) and weigh in daily. No hiding or long-term rationalizing — it gets logged and I face reality; there are good days and bad, but when faced with the data I make better choices and bad days/weeks don't become the norm. Good luck finding what works for you.