How do you decide when to stop?

bear2303
bear2303 Posts: 251 Member
in Success Stories
Im just curious as to when people have decided when they have reached a point where they are ready for maintenance? Or I guess how did you even set your original goal weight? Is it when you've hit a certain number on the scale? When you're no longer in an unhealthy BMI? When you're at a weight you've been previously and wanted to get back to?

For me i set my goal as a number that i thought was reasonable and maintainable for me but now that I'm here im tempted to try and lose another 10 lbs but not sure if pushing myself to that is worth it.
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Replies

  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    I'm about half way through. I set a very rough goal based on the range I felt healthy at before. When I get close to it, I'll see how I feel emotionally, physically and what my doctor says. I'm sure there will be some bouncing around before I settle down.
  • ellie117
    ellie117 Posts: 293 Member
    edited October 2019
    Joining this thread as I too would like to hear from people with experience entering maintenance - I'm about 15-20lbs from my weight goal so I've been thinking about what maintenance will look like next year.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,460 Member
    Are you still losing easily or are you getting very hungry when you drop calories? How comfortable will you be with maintenance calories now vs. 10 pounds less? Just more things to consider.
    I’m seriously thinking about setting my ultimate goal at the point where maintenance is 1600 calories because that is what I can eat easily and happily long term.
  • bear2303
    bear2303 Posts: 251 Member
    riffraff2112 wrote: »
    I stopped when I reached a point where I was happy with my food intake, and couldn't afford to replace my wardrobe again!

    Omg this!!!! Part of the reason i don't want to push to lose another 10 is the fact that all the clothes i bought are for the weight i am now! and i'm short so if i drop another 10 pounds all my clothes won't fit me.
  • babyluthi
    babyluthi Posts: 285 Member
    Melolson14 wrote: »
    I started at 192.4lbs
    CW - 171.4
    I’m going to maintain this weight for a few months then start losing again.
    I’m thinking I could still try to loss so in my middle sections .
    I’m thinking I need to weigh myself every day to keep me on track.
    Do you weigh yourself everyday or what do you do?
    I’m up for ideas.

    weigh daily, use the free Libra app to track your trends :)

  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    I picked a goal range, not a number and dieted down to the upper end of that range then asked myself if I wanted to go further down into the range, and the answer was yes. At some point (a couple of months later), I started spinning my wheels because I kinda liked how I felt and looked so I didn't really have the motivation to lose more. I could afford to lose more, but I felt meh about the idea. I also considered my maintenance calories and thought if I go any lower I may not be able to maintain.

    If I did decide to diet further down, my red line go no further stopping point would have been 20 BMI, just as my red line keep dieting until you hit it point was 30 BMI.
  • jswigart
    jswigart Posts: 167 Member
    I used to ask that question myself. I have finally reached weight and fitness level where I feel good about my body. It’s hard to explain but I can tell when I go up a pound or down a pound without ever getting on the scales. Start by figuring your BMI, then once you’ve reached it, ring where you feel your best.
  • tecat810
    tecat810 Posts: 4,853 Member
    I am completely following this thread and am interested in others journey. I lost 40 pounds j a year and a half and am at the the top of healthy bmi and weight for my height. I am 5 foot 3, 140 pounds, and stronger and more fit than I have ever been! I look good, I am in a clothing size I am happy with.

    I still have body fat in my middle due to three children and my nutrition choices previously. I'd love to firm that up. I've been trying to focus on meeting my macro and calorie goals and hoping my intensity. So I think recomp essentially.

    Thanks for posting and for the discussion on this topic.
  • HoneyBadger302
    HoneyBadger302 Posts: 2,085 Member
    My goal is a flexi-goal right now. The "main" number is what I weighed from my 20's into my early 30's, BUT, I've been doing a lot more focused weight lifting the past couple years, so I realize that I may be just as happy at a slightly higher scale number than I used to have.

    Primary goal is still to get the shape I used to have, and get rid of the saddlebags. Once those are gone, I'll be pretty trim (they're the last thing to go), and really am not too concerned about the scale number once I get to that point. I'm finally to a point where they are starting to decrease in size (10-15 pounds to go), so I'll just keep an eye on my overall appearance as I get into the range I'm thinking I'll end up in.
  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,255 Member
    I set my goal to a weight I looked good at when I was younger. Then decided to lose three more pounds so I’d have a bit of wiggle room in maintenance. Unintentionally lost two more than that. Then went on vacation in France, got sick once I was home, then had oral surgery, and have gained 4 pounds back. So those “wiggle room” pounds have been helpful! Currently trying to drop 2-3 pounds, which will also help keep me from going crazy during the holidays.
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