GOAL Now what?

I'd say expect a slight gain when it all settles. Nothing major, 5-10 pounds.... Unless you are living perfect, it's kinda hard to avoid. But overall congrats are in order!!
If you are satisfied with how you currently look & feel don't worry about BMI. I'm guessing your Dr is/would be happy with the 30 pound loss.

You earned a donut!

well done on achieving pre-set goal.
hopefully your doc approves too.

No actual advice as I'm just venturing into maintenance myself. Really just wanted to say congratulations!

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I've been maintaining more or less for going on three years this spring. I don't look at maintenance as maintaining weight but rather maintaining a healthful lifestyle. Good livin' has made managing my weight pretty easy.

The difficulty many have is that it's essentially mundane which is why I really focus on fitness and fitness goals.

All of what @cwolfman13 said. I have maintained for 6 years. The calorie counting phase is now over for me, but I stick around to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I don't think I enjoy exercise as much as cwolfman13 does.

What now for you?

Set your goal to maintenance in MFP.

Continue counting until you feel you can maintain without counting. I counted for over 6 months; some never stop.

Give yourself a goal range of about 5-8 lbs. Once you start edging towards either end take remedial action before things escalate.

Continue to exercise, it is good for your mind and body.

If you feel lost not having the weight loss goal anymore. Having a staying within range goal, and personal best goals in exercise can replace that.

You may have to tweek your cals for getting your true maintenance, MFP gives you a good estimate, but that is all it is.

If your calories make a big jump to maintenance up them slowly, 50-100 a week. It is much easier physically and mentally that way.

If you put on a couple of pounds don't worry, unless you have been over eating, it is water weight, more carbs in your diet, and more food being digested.

Go buy donuts and celebrate. That is what this is all about, being able to have a splurge for a special occasion, but not every day. Well done @pondee629.

Cheers, h.

I've just begun year 5 on MFP. I lost 42 pounds in the first six months (my goal was a 37 lbs loss or an end weight of about 150-152 lbs -- my goal was not this loss in that short of a time frame), then attempted maintenance. I gained a little back, but only to my original goal of 37 lbs lost. I found that the mentality to lose weight was easier than the mentality to maintain. I was able to stick close to the 152 lb weight for three years, but I have creaped up in the past 12 -month and am now back into weight-loss mode. Maintenance is not particularly easy. Keep up the exercise routine and keep logging your foods. Please don't jump back into carefree mentality. Ease into higher calorie allowance. Keep up with exercise as your tool to keep muscle and maintain metabolism -- maybe change to greater emphasis on weight training and lesser emphasis on cardio.

A huge, huge congratulations on your achievement. Your work isn't over; it's just not as measurable as it was in the past.

@pondee629 maintenance isn't that hard, but don't take it for granted. That is when weight creeps in and bites you on the *kitten*.
That one last pound will drop off when you least expect it.

Dare I say, paraphrasing the old adage;
a watched pound never drops.

Enjoy your maintenance.

Cheers, h.