Don’t be sad because it’s over, be glad because it happened!
I think when you get to maintenance mode, you should enjoy having reached another peak! I understand the fear though. But fuck that! You should be jumping for joy!

Don’t be sad because it’s over, be glad because it happened!
I think when you get to maintenance mode, you should enjoy having reached another peak! I understand the fear though. But fuck that! You should be jumping for joy!
Thanks Liza, to be honest with you I am kind of fearful that if I stop losing weight now I may have trouble restarting. Maybe that's irrational, but if its working for now I kind of fear changing things, before I get down to where I want to be.That is an interesting new phase to be coming into Rob. Especially since you've been working within such a big calorie deficit for so long. Might be worth it to start bringing the calories back up to what would be closer to a maintenance amount for you so it's not such a huge leap all at once?
I think you are right LaMa, the next phase will be just as challenging, if not more so, but without some of the positive reinforcements. I know it will take some figuring out.Interesting and maybe just as challenging as losing weight - but with the much less glamorous reward of things mostly staying as they are. If you do need tangible goals to keep going fitness-related ones seem to be quite motivating for you
You are right of course Emily, and I was just feeling a bit sad last night, it has passed. Maintenance will be a new peak, but a very different kind.Don’t be sad because it’s over, be glad because it happened!
That is right, perspective can be hard. I know I have studied that mountain from all angles I could from down here, and on Google Earth, but it sure looked different when I got there. Hey Flyer, you are Mr. Maintenance here, when I get there I am sure I'll be looking to you for advice. Its always welcome.from flying, you can realize just how much your vision/ brain interface can be deceiving. heading toward a mountain range, i don't think i ever had a passenger who didn't make the comment that they thought i was flying too low even though i was typically a few thousand feet above the peaks.
Thanks Petal, good advice as always. I am sure you will get to the SW maintenance and it won't take long. Looking forward to hearing what you learn.If and when you need to start adding calories I would be focusing on the salad and fruit or adding in some extra protein. For example a hard boiled egg or extra piece of turkey, or 20g of cheese . Extra fruit with your breakfast. You seem to manage well without treat foods ( not like me ) and that's where danger lies.
I have not yet been let into the magic world of target at SW so I don't really know how the plans change for maintenance but I think things like an extra slice of bread or extra syns allowed . If I ever get there I will let you know .![]()
I have been wondering about the bird refuge also. It is a federal thing and they are being more conservative about reopening than the State of Utah, so it may still be a while. I will send an email and see if I can find anything out. I do plan to stick around, more to continue to get support in maintenance, but I will help if I can. I know you have spoken about the difficulties you had in transitioning to maintenance, hearing more about your experience would be helpful.I wonder how long it will be before you can start at the wildlife sanctuary. You will be able to do different things now, Rob & do most things a lot easier.
I like Petal's suggestions to gradually add a little bit more of the healthy stuff. I know that would have done the trick with me. I think maintenance is a huge challenge & I also have a feeling you will approach it with the same science you have approached weight-loss. I hope you stick around & let everyone else learn how to do it as I'm sure you will be successful.
I think I can understand that. I also think it'll be an easier transition if you start adding 100 or 200 kcal/day maybe once a month to see what it does to your wellbeing and weightloss. As of yet you're still losing quite quickly, especially for someone who's been at it for so long, and maybe a slightly slower loss could get you used to the idea of maintenance. I struggle with maintenance as well though, so my words aren't gospel.Thanks Liza, to be honest with you I am kind of fearful that if I stop losing weight now I may have trouble restarting. Maybe that's irrational, but if its working for now I kind of fear changing things, before I get down to where I want to be.
Hey LaMa, thanks, your words may not be gospel, but I value them. You are a smart and supportive friend. I know you are right, I did have one day last week over 1,300 calories and have been thinking about raising my target to that. It's just that my eating has become a fairly rigid habit, so that shift will take a bit of pushing.I think I can understand that. I also think it'll be an easier transition if you start adding 100 or 200 kcal/day maybe once a month to see what it does to your wellbeing and weightloss. As of yet you're still losing quite quickly, especially for someone who's been at it for so long, and maybe a slightly slower loss could get you used to the idea of maintenance. I struggle with maintenance as well though, so my words aren't gospel.
Yes,exactly, that rigidity can really be hard to break--that's why i was thinking of an easing upward. But we all have to know what works best for us. Maybe for now it's just something you will play around with in your mind and get used to the idea of shifting into maintenance. Having dealt with an anxiety disorder for so many years i get it how it can be hard to break patterns and we need to often move slowly so we continue to feel safe with whatever issue we are dealing with. I also like LaMa's idea of maybe just introducing a few days here and there of eating a little extra.It's just that my eating has become a fairly rigid habit, so that shift will take a bit of pushing.
Yes, but I have not often tried in this direction. Eating more has always come quite easy to me, LOL!Funny how eating habits can be hard to break in both directions, isn´t it?
I think that is a really good point, the world doesn't change so much on that day. In fact I think most of the good things happen whilst you are losing the weight. And in my case when I was heavier and losing I thought I could see where I was heading, but now its not so clear. Maybe I can make an analogy to my mountain climbing adventure, when I was looking up from home I thought sure I knew where I wanted to go, but when I got close it was a bit confusing, the top was not so clear. Now I think I am featherheading a bit, LOL.one thing I have learned from those that have reached target that the day it happens can often be a disappointment.
Thanks Liza, good advice. Maybe that is what I am doing already.Maybe for now it's just something you will play around with in your mind and get used to the idea of shifting into maintenance.
That probably does make sense, maybe I will start in June. One problem I think I probably have is a slowed metabolism, I know LaMa and others have said that. I have been doing some research and given my long term low cal diet it is pretty likely. I don't feel that way, but it has probably happened. And it seems that it can take a while for the body to adapt to eating more and increase metabolism back to normal. I read that is one reason so many people regain weight quickly after a diet, their eating goes up faster than their metabolism. I don't know the answer to that one, but it is probably the slow transition to more calorie thing.I think a gradual increase to say maybe 1300 a day every day for a month would keep you feeling in control.
Thanks LaMa, I really appreciate your support, and value your opinions. I know this will not lead to weight gain, and maybe not to stopping the loss, we will see.Given how much weight you're still losing despite eating as much as or more than a couple months ago it doesn't look like your metabolism is a problem. And adding 100 kcal/day is definitely not suddenly going to change that. Courage, my friend.
Same to you Petal, you have long been a good friend here, I appreciate it. And I will see how I get on.Yes I say your metabolism is really good . Your weight loss is still pretty super fast .
you have said a few times now you would like a bigger snack on the b/p thread . Maybe it’s time to have it and see how you get on .
That may be too high, but I know its a lot more than 1,300, so I should be ok.Yes the thing to keep in mind that a normal calorie amount for a guy around your age would be around 2200-2400 calories...
Thank you Cate, you have really been a great friend here also. Your advice has always been good.I think we all agree, Rob
Oh excellent! You were eating quite healthily so just having a little more of everything sounds like a solid plan.I upped my calories to 1,350. May try to stay a bit above 1,300 for a while. I just did it by eating a little more of the same things, no big change.