I've been trying to lose so long, and that it is hard for me to believe that I can call myself a maintainer now. But I posted a success story today, and I am ready to admit that I am going to try to maintain rather than try to keep losing. I am happy where I am. I think I look good. More importantly I feel good.

But I know I need the support and focus to keep the weight off. I am happy with how I eat and how I exercise, but I certainly don't want to fool myself into thinking that the maintenance part just happens.

Fad..

I so agree..Half the battle is maintaining..Kudos to be where you are happy and healthy. Just take one day at a time..U can do this..

Thanks Linda. And looking at your stats, awesome progress! I remember when your start weight was my goal weight.

Welcome to the maintainers forum and congrats on reaching your goal and deciding it's time to start maintaining.

Do come and join us all on the weekly maintenance weigh in. This a great thread for both support and on focusing to keep the weight off:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?p=8405473

You might also find it helpful to record your daily food and activity on the Maintainers Food & Activity Log. Again, another good way to keep your eye on the ball:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=429011

There are also a number of threads in the maintenance that should prove helpful. May I suggest you take a look through the Maintenance Resources sticky at the top of the forum, and also through the following threads:

Refuse to Regain:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=392080

How did we become successful weight losers and maintainers?
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=431268

How to eat After Weight Loss
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=425322

I'm sure that there will probably be some other threads that other maintainers might also suggest when they see your post.

HTH

I second the links Demi posted and would also suggest that you follow her journal and the journals of ~

krystalr: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...115#post8406115

cnmLisa: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...915#post8405915

Judynyc: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...127#post8406127

GlendaRC: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...136#post8406136

There are probably other maintainers that I haven't found and latched onto yet, but these have been SO helpful to me!!! And ALL the links Demi posted are GREAT. I particularly like the Refuse to Regain thread and have read it SEVERAL times.

Posting in the weekly weigh in is a great help in keeping me focused. I've not yet felt that I was actually a maintainer (just pre-maintenance), so have not started posting in the daily food and activity thread, but I keep up with it and would LOVE to see your posts....always ready to learn from others!

Anyway, CONGRATS on getting to maintenance!!!! You should be SO proud (as I know you are). Just remember that maintenance has different challenges and a different learning curve.

Going to read your success story now....

Woo hoo!

Congratulations. This is THE IMPORTANT PART... we've all lost this stuff before. It's keeping it from coming back that's the tricky part.

I come over to declare myself a pre-maintainer, since I'm down to the last twelve pounds or so. I think. This is where I tend to wind up and maintain easily, but since events over the last year has me re-evaluating my previous maintenance strategies, I have a new goal weight, too.