Bluesinger - yes. This is not something to hop on and off, it has to be a complete mindset and way of life forever. I'm glad you've had long term success in maintenance, because those kinds of stories give hope!
Leshabar - measuring can give you a huge mental boost in determination, especially if the pounds don't move on the scale. I don't know where we lose from sometimes, but the body shape does shift, even when the scale doesn't. Someone called it the "whoosh fairy" - you have no scale progress, none, none, and then WHOOSH, you lose a bunch I like that effect!!! But the lost inches definitely keep you motivated in between.
Keep focused on the eventual goal, and the daily victories!