jrwms714 Member

Happy Scale and happy with it.

I have kept only 1 pair of pants. They are at the back of my closet and I used to bring them out to try them on. They are a size 16 and I am a size 6 for the last almost 5 years. I haven't tried them on in years, but I know they're there and I know what is possible. I donated my "fat clothes" to Goodwill after a year in…

MFP is a tool for me ... and an easy one at that. 4.5 years into maintenance, and logging is so simple; helps me plan, is not remotely an inconvenience, given how easy it is to do. Have been logging for almost 7 years now. All my meals are pretty much in there ... just click on them and I'm done, sometimes with an…

Name: jrwms714 How long in maintenance: 4.5 years Goal maintenance range: 136.5-138.5 Current weight:137.5 Current goal: Stay in maintenance range. Recent success: Dropping to 137.5 Although it may be an anomaly, I intend to find out by sticking with my plan! Strategy for your goal: NO snacks after dinner ... maintain my…

6 pounds on a 5'0" frame after a long flight, and 3 -4 days to get that water weight off. Same thing with a 12 hour car ride. Can also do up to 4 lbs. with a salty restaurant meal, which most of them are, IMHO. Not comfortable, not at least not from eating poorly.

If this works for you, go for it. The last 5 lbs. were really slow and hard to get off for me, so I probably would just stick with the loss calories until I hit my goal range.

Name: jrwms714 How long in maintenance: 4.5 years Goal maintenance range: 136.5-138.5 Current weight: 138.0 Current goal: Maintain range above Recent success: No snacks at night continues to work for me. Strategy for your goal: Right now there are some medical issues and so my appetite has slowed to nothing. I am not sure…

Hey, @LivingtheLeanDream: You have been a voice of reason and compassion on here, so sorry to see that you are struggling. But just wanted to throw a few things your way: 1. Anti-inflammatory meds CAN cause water weight gain, so take that into account and 2. You and I have each been on maintenance for a while - 4.5 years…

This. Also, logging meals is so simple, once you've done the original input. Logging anything on MFP keeps me honest with myself. And that's mostly what maintenance is about.

Good analogy, the car thing. But remember that our cars run smoothly when they are given the right fuel and driven with care! Maintenance is about a smooth ride, with occasional bumps in the road. Just try not to have those bumps turn into potholes! You've got this!!

How long in maintenance: 4.5 years Goal maintenance range: 138.5-140.0 Current weight: 138.5-139.5 Current goal: Get range back to 136.5-138.5 Recent success: My Happy Scale Moving Average is 139.0 That is down quite a bit from 141.8. I would like it in the 137.5-138.0 range. It is taking forever to get there, but I have…

@nowine4me, you have it exactly: it's what works for each of us and it probably is not the same thing! Sounds like you, also, have identified the issue and find ways to distract yourself from the binging. Coloring supplies are such a great idea for this ... keeps your hands busy and alleviates the stress, too. I ordered…

@nowine4me and @teranga79, and any others with binging troubles, here's my take on things, and what helps me when I am in one of those states: I fundamentally believe that sugar and foods that convert to sugar (simple carbs, processed stuff) are an addiction for some. I know that this is controversial in the literature,…

Name: jrwms714 How long in maintenance: 4.5 years Goal maintenance range: 136.5-138.5 Current weight: 139.5 Current goal: Continue to have no snacks at all at night; get back to range. I also need to up my consumption of vegetables and fruit. I am eating very little due to a real lack of appetite that has been months long.…

So many good things said here ... for me, maintenance hasn't been all that difficult because, as others have said, it's just the same lifestyle with a few more calories. The good habits are in place after 4.5 years, and the bad ones crop up now and then, but certainly not as frequently as before. What has helped me a lot…

You will eventually figure this out, and your weight itself will let you know what's ideal. Weighing every day at the same time is good. Maintenance is a lot about figuring what works for you, including your best range. But a red line or a "scream weight" is always a good thing to have settled, so that you turn back and…

Exercise, for me, is essential to maintenance, but life comes around sometimes and stops it, i.e., when you are having surgery or when something unforeseen happens and you aren't able to exercise for a while. For me, I have always loved any form of exercise, even at my top weight, and also avoid things like escalators or…

I totally agree with all of the above. And, @nowine4me, you have been one of those experienced people that has been helpful to others. I don't post often, or reply often, but I do read forums almost daily, and I have found this kindness to be very true of you. Struggling is human, succeeding is great, but it's always,…

@middlehaitch : Thanks! Your reply made total sense. I think I knew it but just needed to hear it. Also, I totally relate to your p.s.!

Question for long-time maintainers: I am working hard at losing just 2 - 4 lbs. I am only 5'0" and older (72) so it will take longer than for most. I have been at maintenance for 4.5 years. See my post (just above). Exercise has been very regular but has been been stalled for the past month due to ongoing oral surgery…

Name:jrwms714 How long in maintenance: 4.5 years Goal maintenance range: 136.5-138.5 Current weight: 140 Current goal: Back to range above. Recent success: Have cut out all snacks after dinner and that is working well Strategy for your goal: Recently had dental surgery which is taking longer than thought and will require a…

Everyone does maintenance in a way that works for them. For me, almost 5 years into maintenance,"cheat days" don't work. First of all, the concept of "cheat" is negative. I think "treat" is more like it, i.e., building into your maintenance plan things or meals that you want to have and being responsible about having them…

Thanks, OP, for keeping us on track! Name:jrwms714 How long in maintenance: 4.5 years Goal maintenance range: 136.5-238.5 Current weight: 139 Current goal: Back to range above. Recent success: Went shopping at Trader Joe's, which is my snack nemesis, and came home without any of the usual snacking items I purchase and eat!…

Totally agree with all of this ... that's my strategy to a T after 4.5 years of maintenance.

Each of us has to find a way to deal with these situations. Pre-eating before the event or carrying something with you in case there's nothing you can or would eat is just a strategy, and so are variations on these. It works for some people and works well. It works for me and has for years. Banking calories is another way.…

As I work on trying to lose that 2 -3 lbs. over my range, I'm finding it considerably harder than I thought it would be. It's been on for many months, so that may be part of it. I am also 4.5 years into maintenance, so 4.5 years older, and that can be part of it ... metabolism continues to slow as you age. I am at my…

Name:jrwms714 How long in maintenance: 4.5 years Goal maintenance range: 136.5-138.5 Current weight: 140 Current goal: Get back to range above. Cut out unhealthy carbs with breakfast. Recent success: Have cut out all snacks after dinner, which is a major help.

Progress for long-term maintenance people is going to be reallllly slow, if you have held onto the weight for any period of time. It sucks, but it's true. I am working hard on just losing 2-4 lbs. (only 5'0" and not a young 'un) and I know it will take a few months, if not longer. Hang in there ... losing this time is not…

Name:jrwms714 How long in maintenance: 4.5 years Goal maintenance range: 136.5 - 138.5 Current weight: 140.5 Current goal: Return to below scream weight which is 138.5. Cut out "treat" carbs with breakfast unless enough gym calories to have them. NO snacks after dinner. Trying this until mid to late May. Recent success:…

This is what works for me, too. Good to see it's not just me. I carry a protein bar with me, and I do that bathroom thing, too. It sounds a little off base, but these events rarely have anything healthy as a choice. Often what is there is nothing I want to eat or, like at weddings, it's served super late, and I'm beyond…