Transitioning to Maintenance

Well, After my last appointment I was told that my goal range really needs to be revised to anywhere between 140-160lbs. I am currently at 157.8. I am comfortable with this size and the range. But now I need to start transitioning into maintenance - it seems so soon - I am not prepared for this! As of today I am 8 months and 2 weeks out. I've lost about 128 lbs. 

So my question is - how do I start transitioning? I know that I still have a few pounds to go, but I feel I need to prepare. Based on my trending I should hit 150 in about 3 weeks, maybe 4 if I start eating more now. It's already hard remembering to eat enough as is. Oh, and i've added, well doubled, the amount of exercise I get. Not because I have to, but because I enjoy it. 

Thanks for your help everyone. 

The best advise I ever got was to let it alone. Your body willstop loosing on its own and then you will have some bounce back. You don't want to stop at the high end of your range. You want to get below the bottom leaving room to bounceback and wind up within your goal. It worked for me  

Thanks! I am just a mix of emotions right now and then this was just another curveball! 

I do have a fear of being "too skinny" - my mom was anorexic and it definitely made an impression on me. 

How far below your goal did you get?

I had a 6 lb bounceback very early. Now I'm dealing with a 40 lb regain. I've lost 7 so at least I'm going in the right direction. Chances are you won't get too thin. It's just a weight you aren't used to. And even after your body stops loosing the weight continues to move around for a while. 

I agree with Becky. Go as low as you can go so you can relax. Bounce back and regain can be a real challenge.

--gina

Its strange to be told that i'm going to be too skinny by my Dr! It was nice hearing I looked "normal" right now. I don't want to stop now, but I do want to maybe slow down a bit and get some ideas so I can prepare for the upcoming months. I have been working the last few days to add more fat to my diet. I'll know how that works after this weeks weigh in.

I tried to slow myself too because I was a lightweight when I started and was afraid of losing too much. Folks here and my surgeon told me my body would stop on its own and to try not to worry. Best advice I could have gotten at the time.  I didn't get to goal until I was 11 months post-op and hit right in the middle of normal BMI. You want a little bounce back room. Try not to worry.

--gina   

Thanks so much. You guys have steered me in the right direction so far, I don't know why I should stop listening now :)

Bounceback is real.  Keep on losing.  Make the most of what you have while you have it.  Most gain back 20 or so.  And later on it becomes much harder to lose.

Don't even consider trying to stop losing unless your BMI is low.  And unless you are really tall, that isn't the case.  Try to remember you are not used to seeing you thin.  And weight will still continue to redistribute over time.  It's very common for people to start thinking they are too thin when they start approaching a normal BMI.  Yeah, your face will look too thin for a while but that changes.

Thanks Patty. I am definitely ready for my weight to redistribute! It is crazy going from one extreme to this weight in such a short period. I am still wrapping my head around it all. And in my head I am still that fat girl.