This is kind of a silly question that won't matter in the long run, but I guess I'm ready to be in maintenance, even if my body isn't.

Since my weight fluctuates from 1-3 lbs most of the time I am wondering....do I consider that I'm in maintenance the first time I see 150....or when I stop bouncing up above that?

Also, <if> I were to see that before I finish the carb ladder (I'm not hopeful of that happening, but you never know) am I still not really in maintenance because I'm still experimenting with new foods?

I guess mentally I already consider myself in maintenance, even though the scale is still 3 lbs. above my goal and I still have 3 more rungs of the carb ladder to climb.

But I want a <date> of when I officially am in maintenance so I can have an anniversary date. I want to be able to say that I've been maintaining for 22 days, or 3 months, or a year, or 2 1/2 years. Silly, I know....but there it is.

Frecks--YOU chose. It's your plan.

Personally, I'd just call it and be done with it.

If you go on to lose a few more, that's gravy.

And in terms of experimenting with new foods--NO WHERE did Dr. Atkins ever say that you had to reach to the top of the ladder--he said that for some individuals, the upper most rungs of the ladder should be eaten infrequently and for some due to intolerances, never.



Then you're in maintenance.

See how easy.

I used the date I hit my goal weight of 160 as my "graduation" so to speak. 12/18/2005 was the day for me.
I didn't stop eating the same way I had been eating and just kept moving forward from there. I did keep losing a bit but very, very slowly as it was not my main focus then. As Lisa said, it was all gravy at that point.

I am like you, I want to claim a date but not much is going to change when I do hit that magic number of 120.
So far, I am losing doing what I'm doing now so I will get there, with just a few lbs to go but if I should go to far under my goal weight, I guess I will just force myself to eat more veggies. LOL....I haven't added beans or peas yet...or sweet potatoes...

No, not silly at all. The day I saw 150 for the first time on the scale was the day I declared it officially ~ 26 February 2008.

I claimed "maintenance" the day I hit my goal too. I will forever remember that day! LOL Also, I didn't just stay that weight, I went back over then back under. I have always fluctuated. I did drop another 10lbs after that but I have found my body, or me, is not happy there. I liked the weight of course and my body but not having so little to eat. It was such a struggle to get there.
Congratulations, you have done very well.

Thanks, ladies! Okay....the "official" date will be the first time I see 150, which could be days from now....or weeks from now. I appreciate all the responses....particularly the fact that you all know the exact date you reached goal.

Have a great day!

Okay ... exception here. I haven't a clue what day, what month, or even for sure what YEAR I reached goal, and I have to admit that I don't much care. I know my sig says a time, but I'm just guesstimating. The important thing, to me, is that I DID make it and I AM maintaining it, so ...

I suppose the fact that I didn't have triple digits to lose, and I had been badly underweight most of my life, might have something to do with that attitude ... opposite problem, but still definitely a problem! It certainly feels good to be a normal weight for the first time in my life even if the shape still leaves something to be desired!

This is most definitely healthier than my obsession with getting to my goal weight!!! I <need> to let it go....

I <really>, <really> want to be like you when I grow up, Glenda! I'm taking notes....