When is it ok to let go?

I started MFP in october. I lost 30lbs in 4 months n have been maintaining for almost 2months. I really would like to wean off of MFP cause eventually I will have to do it on my own but im nore sure when a good time is. Im just really scared I will gain it all back. I dont wanna gain weight, lose it, gain, lose etc. I never really ate strict but just cut back greatly on portions and junk. I just need some advice n motivation. Please help?!

Congratulations. But what's the big deal? How long does it take for you to log your food on this site, it's not like you're sticking to a specialized diet. If I were you, I would keep logging until you know you have completely internalized your new eating and exercise routines. It might be years. I think that maintaining a weight loss for five years is considered a successful effort.

I think I might miss my new friends.....hmm

I'm so far away from that... no idea.

I'm sure it's different for different people. Maybe try not recording for a day a week, then two, then three...

I've lost weight before and have kept it off for quite awhile, but then something else in my life and habits changed. So, I expect that once this works, I'll keep coming back for at least a few days a month to make sure I'm not going off the rails. Maybe I'll pick a weight and say anytime I go over it, I start tracking again? I expect I may want to keep tracking exercise for awhile even after I've reformed my food habits. And perhaps, given what's happened before, I'll track when I'm traveling more or undergoing other major changes in my lifestyle.

I'll be interested to hear what others plan and what has worked for others.

CONGRATULATIONS on meeting your goal and best wishes!

I'm new to the site, but not dieting. I think that if you continue to measure portion sizes you'll be fine. However, you won't have the moral support and constant source of inspiration, which is why I joined. Good luck, and remember to drink water!

I found myself becoming far too obsessive about maintenance. So, one day.. I just decided to STOP logging. Yes, I still log into the site for the social side of it, but I don't log my food, my exercise or my water. At some point, you have to learn to have faith in what you've learned and go for it.

You could try taking a few days off of logging every now and then -- perhaps stop logging on weekends. (Continue to monitor your weight, of course, and make any needed adjustments to your diet.) As you become more comfortable with eating intuitively, you can gradually stop logging altogether. If I were you, though, I would keep my account active, and I might log perhaps one day per month, just to see where I stand nutritionally.

I don't think I will let it go! First, I have found so many great people here promoting a great lifestyle. Second, I like this so much better than other sites. I also think If I stay, as long as its available, I will alway be accountable.

Thanx so much everyone. The advice has helped n its nice to know there r ppl who have the same struggles

You're welcome. Again, if this were some pricey program whose owners had a vested interest in keeping you dependent and shelling out lots of money for membership/food/workout routines, I would say "Wean yourself ASAP!" But this is voluntary and fairly painless.

Good luck with whatever works for you.

This is NOT a diet, it is a lifestyle. The way you are living and eating will be forever. Yes journally is the best way to stay on your calorie count.

You think you know what to do, but mark my words, because

Maybe not right away but you have to always be careful at what you eat for the most part, you will miss the support here as well. If you are having a bad day or want to share some good news you will be able to tell someone who knows what you are all about.

Please don't stop keeping and eye on your food. Stopping MFP will be a mistake. It is Free so why would you.

I got away from MFP for about 4-5 months. I lost about 40 lbs and I maintained my weight successfully for that amount of time. I got back on here though because I decided to try and go for the "last 10 lbs".

You can do it, you just have to use the self control and other skills you've learned by tracking your food. Hold yourself accountable, and remember you made this change to get healthy... you want to stay healthy!

I went on vacation to Florida for a week, and told myself it was vacation and there was no tracking food allowed, I needed to just enjoy myself. Well... that's when I ended up leaving for awhile. That was mid- august and I would occasionally get back on to track food here and there (maybe a couple days a month) but I didn't come back to it until I decided I really needed to know what I was eating again, which was about the end of January.

I didn't even join MFP to lose weight...I was already 172 lbs...I mainly joined to support my family. Later, I added other friends but I never intended to lose any weight as I was happy with where I was. Of course, I started eating better and finished a marathon (1st ever!) but that was never in the plan.

MFP is like budgeting, only takes a few minutes a day so what's the harm? Plus there's a great community you can encourage with your progress. I'll likely never leave....