Posts: 11,382
12/12/09 8:01 P

Great job Dennis! And welcome to the team, I think it's a good idea to get in and see what challenges may lay ahead. And you're right, many folks continue to lose a bit after switching to maintenance, so see how it goes, and let us know!

current weight: 0.5  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

Posts: 267
12/9/09 10:09 P

Like you Hilary, I too am about 6 pounds from reaching my goal; and yet I have decided to make the transition from losing weight to maintaining what I have lost. According to "the experts", that's often suggested; since it is likely you will (or may) lose additional pounds anyways during the maintenance stage.

By way of introducing myself, my name is Dennis and as of October 2008, I lost 74 pounds (from 260 to 186); 6 lbs. from my goal weight of 180. I originally started with Calorieking (CK), a subscription-paid program; as a means of "locking" myself into committment of losing one or two pounds per week. By the end of January 2009, I felt quite established into the committment; so in order to not have to continue paying for CK, I decided to wean myself off from there by joining Sparkpeople's program. So I'm willing to stick with it and continue by maintaining my weight loss.

current weight: 238.4

238.4 221.3 204.2 187.1

170

Posts: 11,382
12/9/09 8:52 A

It would be nice if Spark had an option for a maintenance ticker, since most "maintainers" like to stay within a certain range, knowing that sticking to one weight is nearly impossible. It's entirely up to you how to work your ticker, for me I have the maintenance range, so I can see if I'm at the high or low end of it easily. But others like to see how far they have come, and that works too! It just depends on how you want to use your ticker.

current weight: 0.5  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

Posts: 7,094
12/9/09 7:05 A

I still track my food and exercise.
Sometimes I overdo and gain. Then I have to get back on program and lose the extra before it gets to be a big number.

SparkPoints: (4,919)
Fitness Minutes: (8,553)
Posts: 327
12/8/09 4:18 P

Thank you for the welcomes everyone!

I notice that a bunch of people have tickers that reflect "maintenance" range. Is that a common choice?

-- Hilary

Posts: 12,313
12/8/09 4:11 P

yea, maintenance isn't easy! You definitely have to continue to workout and watch your nutrition! Great to have you on the team!

current weight: 9.0  over

10 5 0 -5

-10

Posts: 460
12/8/09 2:10 A

Hi, You seem to have very fast and good progress.
Congrats for that.
You are correct, reaching the top is easier than maintaining it.
I wish you all the best.

Posts: 11,382
12/7/09 7:52 P

I think you are right on time! It's good to prepare yourself for the journey ahead, and also, congratulations on your success so far! You've done a great job, and you're almost there! Woo Hoo!

current weight: 0.5  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

Posts: 19,906
12/7/09 4:23 P

Welcome and congratulations on being 'almost there'. For me it has been continuing the lifestyle with a few more calories allowed. Just add about a hundred at a time and see how you go. Don't stop exercising, it really makes a huge difference to how you feel about yourself and always have some kind of goal before you so that you are always aiming for something.
All the very best and it's great to have you on 'board'.

113,552 SparkPoints

SparkPoints: (152,202)
Fitness Minutes: (148,152)
Posts: 29,536
12/7/09 3:44 P

I continue to use the Nutrition and Fitness Trackers.

Not a diet but a meal plan for me.

current weight: 122.0

210 187.5 165 142.5

120

Posts: 9,920
12/7/09 3:39 P

I didn't think of it as reaching goal, but as the next stage of my life that I had spent the last 8 months preparing for.

current weight: 7.0  over

10 5 0 -5

-10

SparkPoints: (103,662)
Fitness Minutes: (83,298)
Posts: 17,754
12/7/09 3:24 P

to the Team.

I actually didn't change anything w/ the exception that my daily work outs were reduced due to weather conditions.

current weight: 107.0

128 122.75 117.5 112.25

107

Posts: 1,815
12/7/09 3:00 P

What a great idea to plan in advance so you really are looking forward to losing those last pounds. I've found some very useful tips in this team so hope you enjoy exploring the comments, suggestions and advice. I'm sure that you can add some good contributions too.

Good luck.

current weight: 120.0

123 122.25 121.5 120.75

120

SparkPoints: (4,919)
Fitness Minutes: (8,553)
Posts: 327
12/7/09 2:44 P

I am about six pounds away from my goal weight, and I want to make the transition to maintenance as easily as possible. I am hoping that by joining this group I can learn from all of you your best tips on how to keep it off once I lost the weight.

I know that the hardest part of my fitness journey happens after I reach goal, and I want to prepare for it.

-- Hilary