I think this is a good thing, but it scares me a bit.

 I'm going to say than you for just the signature block.  I was a bit disappointed this morning thinking the scale went back up.  IT made me feel like a bit of a failure thinking "I'm not at goal anymore".  I shoudl think of my maintenance as a "range" not a specific number.

After all, my husband doesn't measure his weight by the pound!  I should just do like you do and say my maintenenance range is less than 195.  I also have to learn some way of stepping away from the scale.

SOmetimes it feels like learning a new language.  Even though I'm several months into maintenance, it still scares the crap outta me.   I initially had a range, but that didn't make sense to me... I'm certainly not in any danger of being at the low end.  :)

Maintenance took a full year for me before I started feeling at all comfortable here.  It's a whole new ball game and there is so much to learn and not many great teachers around.  You will have to learn how your body functions best and then learn to trust yourself.  It takes awhile.

I'm not sure if I can ever get to a point where I trust myself.  I might get 80% of the way there, but my history says that I'll never naturally be thin... never be a "normie" as Frisco would call it... so I'll always have to be vigilant.  But I'd settle for that 80%!

Don't worry, Elina. If you stop exercising, you'll just lose the muscle. You may have to cut back on the food a bit in the beginning but you should settle back to your old weight just fine.

But once you have your body where  you want it, you can find all sorts of things to do that are fun and you won't stop doing so I bet you keep exercising this time. It's different when you exercise and see results vs. in the past when most of us exercised and our weight didn't change.

First of all congratulations on your commitment to working out and paying a trainer.  I have not done this and wish I had the courage to do it.

Did you take measurements before you began training? 

I am wondering if you are getting smaller but heavier.  If the scale is going up and your clothes still fit great, then this would prove it.  And it would make you feel better about the weight gain.  

Just a thought.  

How wonderful  for you to have good muscle tone Elina. Bet you find it makes life easier. Think of it as another phase on your road to better health.

Yah, I suppose seeing higher numbers on the scale is scarry after our lives being ruled by that for so long. But you have to trust in Dr. Guru. He knows what he is talking about when he tells you there might be a few pounds added.  And if your skinny clothes still fit, thats the acid test. So free yourself from scale anxiety. The real test is what you see in the mirror and the all important jeans size.

Congrats on this success. You can get comforatble with it.   Diane

I don't think anyone in real life can relate to the fear of a few pounds like the people here can.
But during the muscle building stage, it's normal to put on a couple pounds.
keep the faith

BTW...the wedding ring doesn't stop some of them. LOL

cheers,
donna

 I know exactly what you mean.  I am processing through a lot of fear as well.  I wonder things like if I am losing so slowly at 600 calories, how could I possibly maintain at 1000 or 1200?  I know the two are not necessarily related, that calories to maintain and calorie deficit to lose can be huge - especially if you are active.  

I just cant get past some of the questions, "What if I start putting weight back on?  How would I deal with that?"  I haven't had a chance to discuss this in group or with my therapist yet, I plan to tonight.  My weight scares me now.  I don't ever want to go back to being the person I was last year, either emotionally or physically.  My weight is the doorway to that.  I know functionally, theres no real difference between 190, 191, or 193.  It scares me to think that 193 may be the gateway to 195, which will inch to 200.

It seems similar to what you are describing - you are talking at most 3 to 5 lbs.  In your case - you know what this is.  You are actively working out and building a leaner body.  Good lord girl, you have a 4 pack!  run your hands over that and remind yourself - "I am lean, and beautfil, and sexy".  Try to let that counterbalance your fears.