just inches away from 100 lbs . . . maintenance or keep losing?!?!?

hi all!!

haven't popped in for a while, but as i'm approaching the big century mark i thought i would!  just hovering around it which is frustrating and having a bit of a get my **** together and follow the plan problem, but have great hopes of reaching my 100 lb goal by mid-April at the latest!!!

of course, i'm now thinking about whether i should try to maintain at this weight or keep losing.  after gaining for the first time in 14 months this week, i panicked and called the FNP at the wls center for a very reassuring call.  it really helped and was better than crying in my car, which i had already done!  he asked me about my goal and i told him it was really to lose another 30 lbs to get down to 130.  i thought he'd pooh pooh it, but he was really supportive and just said, keep eating at the right cal range (which in this case is and has always been 1200 cal and no less) and i would continue to lose.  i really think i should at least shoot for that goal.

so, yeah, the first weight gain is the worst, i guess, and i'm struggling with it, but onward and upward (or in this case downward!!)

miss you guys over on the main board!!!!!!  if someone can tell me how to edit the faq document on wordpress and how to maintain it, i can add stuff as it occurs to me or whatever.  i've been putting it up about once a week, more often if i remember.

sending big hugs  ((((((hugs)))))

Hi Ann,
Just wanted to say hello and I'm in the same place ... trying to figure out if I'm in maintenance. 
I think I'm going to just keep doing what I'm doing for now and see where I end up.  One of the people that responded to my post said something really great.  This is for life, so there's no actual rush to make a decision on where we'll end up.  Just keep going :)  We have plenty of time to figure this out!

You've done great, almost at that 100!

I found that maintenance really isn't any different than the losing stage. Just keep doing what you're doing and your body will settle in at a weight that it likes. If you're already happy with where you're at then any extra weight loss is just a bonus

The only reason I can think of to change things is if you're really struggling to eat in the 1200 calorie range or if you feel like you really want to lose some more.

Jen

Do you know why you gained? Sometimes, it can be sodium or any host of factors. If you have been eating on plan, then it is just a blip and will come back down. If you were eating off plan, then you know what you have to do.

Only you know, if you are finished. It is a marathon, not a race. You could just keep on doing what you are doing, change up your exercise routine, and see if you shed more weight. You may have some more weight to let go.

A BodPod or hydrostatic weighing test would give you an idea of how much lean muscle mass versus fat mass that you have, which might help you to decide if you want to let go of more weight. 100 lbs is great and I'm sure that you feel like a new person. Never forget that.

gail

good to have you back. since you are not yet a year out i think you should try for that goal since now is the best time. if you keep at it for a few months you can get to your goal and feel good about it. up you protein a bit and maybe cut a few calories. it will never be easier than now.

it may well be that this is where your body wants to be and if thats the case, you will know if in a few months and thats ok. I maintain on 1200 or less so you may be in the slow burner club like me.

anyway, check in when you can.

diane