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WALKINGANNIE
Posts: 1,815 5/25/10 5:14 P
It's so true that maintainers can cheer on others who are still losing so that they can join us.
It's also important that we cheer each other on for our achievements in maintenance so that we stay here.
Support for maintainers is such an important part of SP.
Start weight - over 166 lb
Reached goal weight in September 2009
Current maintenance range - 120-123 lb
current weight: 120.0
123
122.25
121.5
120.75
120
MARIEFUNFIT
Posts: 102 5/24/10 3:40 P
I totally agree with you Nell. When you cheer someone else, the good feeling from it cheers yourself. I would also like to add that when you cheer yourself the good feeling helps to cheer others. It doesn't really matter which comes first, the chicken or the egg. It is the cheering that counts.
Edited by: MARIEFUNFIT at: 5/24/2010 (15:41)
NELLJONES
SparkPoints: (132,287)
Fitness Minutes: (99,490) Posts: 28,036 5/24/10 2:42 P
The best way to keep the cheering section going is to become part of it. Those of us who have "been there" can offer courage and hope. We all have to be there for those who start their journeys after us.
When you cheer another person on, you are also cheering yourself. That is why this Maintenance board is so important!
Nell
No one ever got up in the morning wishing she'd eaten more the night before.
Original Goal: 114. Current old lady goal: 106.
current weight: -0.8 under
5
2.5
0
-2.5
-5
SULLIS
SparkPoints: (29,234)
Fitness Minutes: (18,639) Posts: 596 5/24/10 12:33 P
Love this:
This time I lost it for me I am more aware of the cheering section fading and it is ok. I realize it helps greatly to be my own cheering section. Coming on to this site can be good part of it as well.
I really need to work on this aspect!
Thank you all for the welcome and support.
~Shirley~
ATULGARG2
Posts: 460 5/23/10 10:37 A
This site certainly helps only we have to be patient and ready to accept that the change shall be slow.
current weight: 330.0
352
341
330
319
308
MARIEFUNFIT
Posts: 102 5/21/10 6:25 A
I think you were right on when you talk about losing the "cheering section and the getting the detractors from the peanut gallery". When I was losing my weight for other people or when I still needed the cheering section, I couldn't maintain the weight loss. This time I lost it for me I am more aware of the cheering section fading and it is ok. I realize it helps greatly to be my own cheering section. Coming on to this site can be good part of it as well.
ONEKIDSMOM
Posts: 6,015 5/20/10 7:16 P
What they all said. I came and joined this team 4 pounds before I hit goal because maintenance had me shaking in my boots! After all, I've lost the weight what, four, five, six times since I was a teenager (long, long ago, in a lifetime far away)!
But maintenance? Sometimes better, sometimes worse. My challenge was in not taking it too far... adding just enough, not too much... not as easy as it looks. Plus, of course, you lose the cheering section and get the detractors from the peanut gallery. You know the ones, "If you lose any more, you'll blow away."
BUT, with a little help from our friends here, who are all in the same ... we can do it! You, too!
- Barb
Defeat is temporary: giving up makes it permanent! Never give up!
Max lifetime weight 224.5
Maintaining with 122 marked as "goal" since October 2010
current weight: 5.6 over
10
5
0
-5
-10
MARIEFUNFIT
Posts: 102 5/20/10 5:28 P
It looks like you are teaching yourself to learn from your experiences. Way to go!!! Good luck and keep writing.
SULLIS
SparkPoints: (29,234)
Fitness Minutes: (18,639) Posts: 596 5/20/10 10:44 A
Thanks so much for the welcome!
Maintenance feels like a whole other game. But by looking over things here, maybe it really isn't. It's just a matter of keeping going with what has already worked. Tracking, exercise, goal setting. I think I've struggled with maintaining in the past because I couldn't find a good balance for myself between calories in, and calories burned. It seemed too be either too little calories and starvation mode or too much exercise - and overtraining injuries. SP has helped me see the bigger picture - that this really is a lifestyle commitment. And I feel so much better prepared to take on this challenge.
~Shirley~
BAILEYS7OF9
SparkPoints: (104,495)
Fitness Minutes: (84,307) Posts: 17,810 5/20/10 10:17 A
to the Team!
Personally, I did not increase my calorie range, I just kept things where they are and this has worked for me.
Good luck!
current weight: 107.0
128
122.75
117.5
112.25
107
SLENDERELLA61
SparkPoints: (117,317)
Fitness Minutes: (90,851) Posts: 6,833 5/20/10 8:04 A
Welcome, welcome to the At Goal and Maintaining Team! I have surprised myself by maintaining for months; I've been at a health BMI now for 15 months. My best advice is to keep doing what you did to lose the weight (assuming you did it smart and safe), but with a little more food. Keep tracking your food. Keep exercising. In fact, you may want to set some fitness goals and actually exercise more. Gradually add the more food into your plan. If you are craving something, include it, but in general add more healthy oils, nuts, low fat milk, lean protein, whole grains, fruits and veggies. Take care! Again, welcome.
Central Florida, Eastern Standard Time Zone
Marsha's Keys to Success = Tracking! Super Foods! Step Up Cardio! And most important: Quit Quitting!!
current weight: 3.2 over
5
2.5
0
-2.5
-5
MOMMYFITNESS
Posts: 12,314 5/19/10 10:44 P
and to the team!
"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food."
Romans 14:20a (NIV)
current weight: 9.0 over
10
5
0
-5
-10
NELLJONES
SparkPoints: (132,287)
Fitness Minutes: (99,490) Posts: 28,036 5/19/10 10:37 P
I agree that this is the only place I have found where there is long term support for maintainers. People seem to think that reaching goal is like graduation, that you just move on to the next phase. Unfortunately, too many successful losers have to be successful more than once, and that sounds like doing it the hard way. Even Spark won't let your ticker go below "goal" weight, a normal part of the sine wave of maintenance.
Congrats on being in the neighborhood! Please stay close and check in BEFORE you eat something you know you shouldn't. As time goes by, WE will cheer your scale.....staying the same!
Nell
No one ever got up in the morning wishing she'd eaten more the night before.
Original Goal: 114. Current old lady goal: 106.
current weight: -0.8 under
5
2.5
0
-2.5
-5
MARIEFUNFIT
Posts: 102 5/19/10 10:02 P
Welcome to the team. I know what you mean about not alot of information on maintenance (except here). This site is wonderful for sharing success and challenges. Just keep writing about it.
RAYLINSTEPHENS
SparkPoints: (152,202)
Fitness Minutes: (148,152) Posts: 29,536 5/19/10 7:24 P
I went from 210-120 in 16 months with SparkPeople! In Maintenance since 8/11/09!!
current weight: 122.0
210
187.5
165
142.5
120
WALKINGANNIE
Posts: 1,815 5/19/10 6:31 P
Welcome to the team and congratulations on getting here! Isn't it a great feeling?
I felt pretty much the same as you when I first started maintaining. I knew how to lose weight but wasn't sure how to adjust to a new and unfamiliar situation. I had never managed to sustain a weight loss before.
This team has been really helpful so just keep posting any questions, doubts, tips and thoughts.
There are also some great articles at the following link:
SparkPoints: (40,499)
Fitness Minutes: (21,746) Posts: 988 5/19/10 6:26 P
Welcome & Good Luck!! It is a little scary & overwhelming at first!! I remember thinking..How did I get here all of a sudden??(Even though it wasn't overnight)..Just keep doing what you have been doing,like tracking your food,staying active,etc. & you'll do fine!!
9 Days until: Beach Time
50
37
25
12
0
ALLELUIA525
Posts: 18,276 5/19/10 6:09 P
to the team!
~ Tanya ~
"Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward..."
"All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them."
(quotes: Walter Elias Disney)
Pounds lost: 24.0
0
26
52
78
104
SULLIS
SparkPoints: (29,234)
Fitness Minutes: (18,639) Posts: 596 5/19/10 5:36 P
I'm excited and nervous about posting here. Maintenance…goal weight...ME, really???? I know how to lose weight, I've done it often enough in my past. But maintenance is scary. There does not seem to be a lot of info out there for after you've reached your goal. I'm excited to have found this team!
I'm Shirley. 40 years old. Wife. Mom. Full time worker. And probably a gazillion other "roles" as well. I'm loving the idea of adding healthy and fit to my list of titles!
I'm almost ready to call my current weight my goal weight! I reached the original number I wanted to achieve but decided I needed a little wiggle room, so I made the decision to just use this month to see what happens. I'm just finishing up the final week of the couch to 5k running program. I've decided to add in the 30 day shred once that’s done. And I have a new running program to follow as well. I think I have the fitness aspect under control - it’s the eating that makes me nervous. I'm just now seeing my calorie range start to go up, and despite the fact that I would love to use them all, it makes me a bit nervous as well.
I'm going through old threads for the team - but if anyone has great advice for a maintenance newbie I'd love to hear it.
~Shirley~
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What they all said. I came and joined this team 4 pounds before I hit goal because maintenance had me shaking in my boots! After all, I've lost the weight what, four, five, six times since I was a teenager (long, long ago, in a lifetime far away)!
... we can do it! You, too!
and 
