Panigale1199's Journal, 28 March 2016

From this point in the journey, it looks like the better problem to have. Probably doesn't seem as good when you get there. It helps if you lose a bit more than your goal and then give yourself a weight window that you must stay within going forward.  

I like the idea of giving yourself a weight window. I am still far from my goal. But I was curious of what other's have experienced reading their goals 

I reached my initial goal and lowered it again. I think its important not to look at absolutes and realize that some days you might be up and some down and not give up simply because you've gained a few pounds. A window sounds like a great idea.  

I was happy with my weight loss, but I immediately gave myself another goal... to gain some muscle. It's really hard to see'nothing' as progress. Get another goal. A weight window is a great way to go, but with muscle gains I still find myself worried about 'weight'. I'm pretty much over it as I've now gained quite a lot of muscle. It's of though being the same lean mass % at 190 as I was at 170. It's a bit mind bending. The funny thing is, with clothes I pretty much just look like your average 5' 11" skinnyfat guy. I have abs, back and chest now though. My diet now supporting my exercise goals and that I think is the key. Have a reason to stay on the straight and narrow. Diet now supports my other goals. It gets me or of being food centric. 

Great question Panigale and already some great answers. My wife has a two pound window that she works with, no concerns unless she sees it trending up from there, one of my daughters who is very active in sports has a five pound window. For me I'm looking at it a bit more like NM, I will have more of a fitness goal than a weight goal. My goal weight is a best guess at this time on where I will be strong, fast and also have a high endurance and power to weight ratio. 

I've found it got harder just approaching maintenance. The temptation to relax. But I guess just a part of the journey, I have always learned the hard way. 

I think it's true. I'm new to maintenance and while I'm able to consume a few more calories, I have to try to make sure they aren't from junk.  

Although I still have a few pounds to go til goal I am perfectly happy with where I'm at now. I have found it EXTREMELY difficult to stay motivated. It seems the CHALLENGE is what kept me going and since I feel content the challenge is gone..... 

I think a lot of people seem to think they can go back to the way they used to eat because they lost the weight. I was one of those people 15 years ago. 

It never ends....if we had made the right choices we wouldn't need this site, but since we didn't, I'm glad I'm here and I'm glad YOU'RE here!!!! 

I have not yet reached a number on the scale that is goal, but like Northern - I am focused on my fitness goals of losing fat and gaining muscle so I eat to support those goals - if I drop down on the Idiot Box - even better. It is about feeling well and being able to do everything I want to be able to do 

Thanks for all the answers guys! I can deff relate to the feeling relaxed. I finished my first whole 30 and had a cheat day. I followed the whole 30 guidelines last week and because easter came I treated myself a bit for the holiday. Then weighing in at 151 which I haven't seen in a while. I got comfortable and let myself go hungry yesterday. I ate 3 bowls of cheerios!!!!! Huge nono. Then I wake up today realizing I am getting comfortable again and if I get comfortable I will wavier from my diet which leads to weight gain all over again. I am afraid of feeling that comfort. I can see that being the hardest part of maintenance. I asked my trainer the same question and he just says "you will make a new goal" Which is true We all will always have goals.  

I believe many lose to gain it all back again, because you beat yourself up to reach your goal, and the natural thing, is to relax and really enjoy eating again. I put on some new clothes I bought yesterday, and really felt like, wow, I'm where I want to be. But I never want to go back now. Why I will stay here. I just feel so much better now. Good luck on your diet. I think we all continue to search for a happy place with food, too!