The reality of maintenance...

Kimblesnbits13 · January 2017

Does anyone else notice that maintenance isn't much different than losing weight other than a few hundred more calories? (That means I can have a large scoop of ice cream lol) Maybe I don't really notice a big difference because I never went too low on my cals when I was losing weight? It's kinda sad, but a reality check that I can never return to eating the way I ate before. It's always going to be a "checks and balances" or "sacrifice this for that" mentality for me. Is that an unhealthy mindset? Also, do you miss eating a restaurant sized dinner drink and dessert for one meal? For instance, on the weekends I get invited to breakfast, lunch, and dinner all in one day, and there's no way I can fit those restaurant calories in. Anyway, I'm just trying to get a perspective of this maintaining thing. Any comments and replies are appreciated! Thanks!

seska422 · January 2017

It's not an unhealthy mindset. It's facing reality.

If you want to stay your new weight, you need to eat for your new body. People who don't learn that lesson end up back where they started or even heavier.

I would love to go back to eating what I want to eat when I want to eat in large quantities but that wouldn't let me keep my new body.

sgt1372 · January 2017

Kimblesnbits13 wrote: »

Does anyone else notice that maintenance isn't much different than losing weight other than a few hundred more calories?

Yup, that's my experience so far.

The journey's not over. It has just begun and you have to remain forever vigilant, unless you just say "f" it and gain all the weight back again.

sijomial · January 2017

If you were in a small deficit then that's just the reality of your calorie needs.
I've ended up eating more at maintenance than I did when I was fat as I'm far more active.

No I don't miss out on restaurant or special meals at home - I choose on taste not calories.
If you regard your calorie budget as a weekly allowance then fitting in large or special meals/events is far easier. You don't need to restrict yourself to the same every day calorie allowance to successfully maintain.

kommodevaran · January 2017

I have noticed! It's not much of a difference between losing and maintaining, when you have lost weight slowly and healthily.

Choosing the right mindset is so important. I used to (subconsciously) be eager to get this "thing" "over with". Now I understand it's not over till I'm dead. I used to think I had to, or should, stay away from certain foods for the rest of my life. Getting to know the great community here made me change outlook. I can eat anything in moderation. I am the one who decides what's moderate.

There will always be sacrifices. I used to sacrifice health and energy for the short burst of "naughty happiness". But when I really think about it, eating until stuffed, and/or eating all the time, didn't make me happy. Now I choose to be a little stricter, and sometimes say "no". This doesn't mean that I always will say no. Sometimes I say yes. Sometimes it's a bit hard to decide if I should say yes or no, or to stick to my no. But that's okay.

MarkaStone · January 2017

sijomial wrote: »

If you regard your calorie budget as a weekly allowance then fitting in large or special meals/events is far easier. You don't need to restrict yourself to the same every day calorie allowance to successfully maintain.

Some of the best advice ever

LINIA · January 2017

I'm now about 5/7 pounds above goal and to leave those last 5 behind, I'm going to have to really focus.

In the meantime, a couple friends have wisely suggested to get rid of all of the larger clothing, it should be donated, sold, given away or even just tossed--- this apparently sends a strong message to the brain that the body is not going to be allowed to regain that weight.

Many people lose and know exactly how to lose, a successful life in maintenance is a true accomplishment. Wishing you the best Kimbles

ncfitbit · January 2017

If you enjoy indulging on weekends and that's predictable, you can always maintain a deficit during the week and save for those weekends. I have an MFP friend who does this very successfully. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1454303/2-years-of-maintenance-130-pounds-lost/p1

Kimblesnbits13 · January 2017

ncfitbit wrote: »

If you enjoy indulging on weekends and that's predictable, you can always maintain a deficit during the week and save for those weekends. I have an MFP friend who does this very successfully. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1454303/2-years-of-maintenance-130-pounds-lost/p1

Thank you so much for the link! I'm reading through it now

dawnda1234 · January 2017

I find that by eating healthier foods prepared at home I can eat more everyday, plus some not so healthy snacks. I want to maintain my new healthy body / weight far more than I want my husband's leftover double layered birthday cake with homemade butter cream frosting that is sitting on my dinning room table. You have to make a choice.

lorrpb · January 2017

Kimblesnbits13 wrote: »

Does anyone else notice that maintenance isn't much different than losing weight other than a few hundred more calories? (That means I can have a large scoop of ice cream lol) Maybe I don't really notice a big difference because I never went too low on my cals when I was losing weight? It's kinda sad, but a reality check that I can never return to eating the way I ate before. It's always going to be a "checks and balances" or "sacrifice this for that" mentality for me. Is that an unhealthy mindset? Also, do you miss eating a restaurant sized dinner drink and dessert for one meal? For instance, on the weekends I get invited to breakfast, lunch, and dinner all in one day, and there's no way I can fit those restaurant calories in. Anyway, I'm just trying to get a perspective of this maintaining thing. Any comments and replies are appreciated! Thanks!

Exactly. It's really no difference except a couple extra meals out or desserts each week, and nothing lavish on those. I ate about 1700 during my loss phase (2.5 years, 149 lbs) and was losing very slowly at the end. I accepted the fact before I started that I would not be able to return to my previous way of eating, whicg resulted in 5-10lb gain every year for 25 years. I still feel like I'm walking a caloric tightrope and figuring out exactly where I need to be. So happy to be here. No complaints.

PS Great thread!

Francl27 · January 2017

Yep, same mindset. Although I'm quite sure that my TDEE is higher now than it was when I was obese because I'm much more active... but I'm also much hungrier because of it, so I still have to make better choices - even more now than when I was losing, actually... so those extra 300 calories really don't make a big difference to me as it's not 300 calories that I can spend on 'empty' calories, or I end up hungry...

FitOldMomma · January 2017

Yes, maintenance is just continuing your better habits, for life. I knew this before I started and asked myself if I was ready for permanent change. The answer is YES!

Mindset is everything!

A few months ago my oldest sister asked me "when can you start eating NORMAL again?" My reply was that THIS is my normal and always will be. That is...if I want to keep the weight off. I understand what she was getting at, she couldn't comprehend forever having to keep tabs on what I eat and how much. This doesn't mean I'll never have a splurge, only that it will be only on occasion.

I love how I feel these days at this weight...so I'll do whatever it takes to continue this feeling.

Like poster above stated....GREAT THREAD!

bbell1985 · January 2017

Yeah it sucks. I still have not gotten used to it. TDEE of 1800 and appetite for 2500.

leanjogreen18 · January 2017

Kimblesnbits13 wrote: »

Does anyone else notice that maintenance isn't much different than losing weight other than a few hundred more calories? (That means I can have a large scoop of ice cream lol) Maybe I don't really notice a big difference because I never went too low on my cals when I was losing weight? It's kinda sad, but a reality check that I can never return to eating the way I ate before. It's always going to be a "checks and balances" or "sacrifice this for that" mentality for me. Is that an unhealthy mindset? Also, do you miss eating a restaurant sized dinner drink and dessert for one meal? For instance, on the weekends I get invited to breakfast, lunch, and dinner all in one day, and there's no way I can fit those restaurant calories in. Anyway, I'm just trying to get a perspective of this maintaining thing. Any comments and replies are appreciated! Thanks!

I'm soooooo hoping that this is true:). It's going to take about a year 1/2 for me to get to goal weight. After that long I better have learned something:).

My husband likes to eat out. I'm eating out quite a bit while losing so I just play with my calories i.e have low calorie days so I can have higher calorie days. I plan on keeping this up.

Maybe you are goal oriented? Perhaps have some fitness goals or personal goals? idk

neldabg · January 2017

Yep. That's the truth of it. On the positive side, this means that weight loss is only a few hundred less calories. If you ever get the weight creep remember that reality and getting back on track will be easy.

Kimblesnbits13 · January 2017

bbell1985 wrote: »

Yeah it sucks. I still have not gotten used to it. TDEE of 1800 and appetite for 2500.

Bahahaha AGREED!

everher · January 2017

I'm not in maintenance yet, but I went into this knowing I couldn't ever go back. It was something that held me back before. Something that spurred me on this time.

I don't ever want to go back to the way I used to eat. It was unhealthy and unsustainable. My family has a long history of disease and when my mother died relatively young from heart failure (as my grandfather did before her) I made up my mind I was going to fight. Maybe I can't totally prevent it, but I'm not going to contribute to my risk by being obese and sedentary.

I think it helps I haven't really given anything up. I just have changed the ratios. Instead of 75% of my diet being made up by fast food, restaurant food, sweets, chips, and everything fried with the occasional fruit, veggie, or lean protein my diet is now mostly veggies, fruits, lean protein, healthy fats, etc.

findingone · January 2017

I don't want to eat like a pig and feel stuffed anymore and then regretting it. I like being thin and healthy and being able to run again. The mental and emotional changes plus the depression that has lifted/lifting... ain't no way in hell I am ever going back. You start loving your body and respect it. Food to me is worth putting the hard work in. I want to eat and be 6'1 185 until I die. I will work my *kitten* off for the lessons I learned.

When you give yourself a weight range to bounce up and down to on maintenance it feels good to eat knowing you worked for it when you are at the low end of said range. God forbid you are hungry and earned your food through exercise. It's like eating the best tasting food everytime. I love my new life. Wish you the best and happiness ☺️

ahoy_m8 · January 2017

Yes, yes... totally agree. I lose at a slow rate, so losing & maintaining are hardly different at all.

On the same note, when I slack off a little bit (sometimes in summer, sometimes on a vacation, etc.) it is astonishing how a little surplus daily will add up. E.g. adding 2 glasses of wine or a cocktail/day = 4 lb in 8 weeks. Startlingly easy to do.

dopeysmelly · January 2017

It absolutely is a mindset. I grieved a bit when I reached maintenance and realized I would never be able to go back to my former habits, and I figured that it was OK to feel that regret as long as I didn't act on it beyond the odd special occasion/holiday. To be honest, after a few months of maintenance you'll forget how you ate before so it becomes less of an issue with time.

I did find that increasing my activity levels really helped the transition to maintenance. It set me up with another set of healthy habits (separate from the healthier food intake), it makes me feel good and it gives a little bit of leeway with the caloric intake if I do go over.

The reality of maintenance...

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