Revaudrey's Journal, 06 April 2014

Now that is the million dollar question. If anyone has the answer then I would be very interested also. 

I feel sure that there is an answer and one of the experts will come up with it but as far as I am concerned this is my plan and if it helps you then fantastic. When I started my weight loss, like you in January, I made a plan for when I hit goal as it is so important. My plan is for a maintenance program so I will first of all check my RDI and correct it accordingly but as I do correct it I will change it from losing the 2lbs per week to maintaining weight. I will then look at my food and continue to enter it on FS and I feel this is vital. I will then monitor my weight each day for the first month this will give me vital information about the effect of the change of food and exercise. After a month I should have enough experience to be able to judge accurately what I should be doing in the way of food intake and exercise. The way I see it is that I am a member of FS not to to lose weight but for ever as weight control is not a six week thing it is a way of life. Please understand that all this is MY PLAN and nobody else's it is a plan set for MYSELF. I only hope it works but it has not as yet been proven time will tell. 

Hi Bwy39. I love the idea of continued vigilance... and yes, I agree that is key. What is confusing me is the maintenance RDI amount. Mine (based on exercise, weight, activity level) is like 2000 calories. So that means that I can eat eactly what I've been eating since January (1500) and add another 500 calories per day ( that means wine and ice cream!) and still maintain my goal? That hasn't really worked in the past. It has something to do with my metabolism grinding to a halt at this low RDI and I don't know how to get it revved up again. 

I totally agree with you. If you set your RDI according to FS then I assure you you will never be successful it is too high. I use a different site but even with this site once it gives me my RDI I then reduce it to my own level, not by a lot but enough to make a difference. This way when I enter my food I know the results shown on FS will be to help me achieve.The site I use is:-.....http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html.................. Even this site is not perfect but in my opinion it is better than the calculations produced by FS. The main trick I find is once it calculates the RDI then REDUCE it. I reduce by 100 Kcals and it works for me. Good Luck. 

try this calculator, it tells you what you need to maintain as well as lose that lb or two that you gained on a 'fun' weekend....http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html that being said, you also have to learn how your body reacts to different foods consumed within your RDI. I cannot eat grains, even staying at my RDI, I gain.. Wine is another 'problem' to me, If I consume some then I have to go below my maintenance RDI. and then I just have to remember that that lb or two I 'gained' is really only wine/water weight and will disappear as fast as it was added.  

http: //www. calculator.net/ calorie-calculator .html 

I discovered that we are not allowed to put in a URL BUT I found a way to cheat. Just insert a few spaces in the URL and when posted the spaces are not there but the URL is....lol http: //www .calculator. net/ calorie-calculator. html 

Bwy39 as I get closer to my goal weight I'm thinking of continuing as you have planned. I'm probably going to go below my current goal as I still have flab and fat knees and thighs with 3 pounds to go. Defiantly will continue exercise as you said this is lifelong not just a short term process.  

Your positive attitude is to be commended and I wish you success I am sure you will make yourself so proud. I love positive attitude but I am unable to tolerate moaning or any form of negativity this is a flaw in my personality which I can not eliminate. We need more people like you on FS to replace all the "I can't do it" fraternity or the "it is so hard" brigade. Well done in getting this far and just like you I am planning going below as well as I know that weight will be gained once my excessive exercise is ended and back to moderate. Keep up the good work be proud and successful, you deserve it. 

Ask my girls one thing this mom never tolerated was whining. Have to be positive, for me I feel so much better than I did 50 pounds ago. I think the two hardest things about this journey is the planning then following through on that plan and fitting the exercise into the rest of your life. Still having trouble doing that and getting other things done. Lunch break is over back to my weekend to do list, this week will be better than the last.  

@Revaudrey: The 1400 to 1500 calories you've been eating have allowed you to steadily lose weight. You're going to have to accept that what you consider "normalcy" includes those 20 or 30 pounds you struggle with, and it isn't normal for your current body weight. To maintain your current weight you can increase your caloric intake a little, but not back to the same amount you were eating when overweight. Recalculate your RDI at the weight you want to maintain, and stick to that as diligently as you did the RDI that got you there! When calories in exceeds calories out, you gain weight. That doesn't mean you can't indulge (or even over-indulge) from time to time, but pay attention when you do so and make corrections for it. Weigh yourself every week, and if you've gained a pound or 2, lose them again before allowing another indulgence. Its much easier to make minor weekly corrections than huge monthly ones.  

I started my quest for weight loss 15 months ago and it took me 8-9 months to achieve my goal of a bit over 40 pounds. I exercise daily (Leslie Sansone DVD's or walking outside) and always keep track of my intake on this site. I have only missed 2 days in that whole time (due to the flu) and feel wholeheartedly that this has been the secret to my success. I indulge in a wine or beer here and there, but cut back somewhere else. It's all about being honest with yourself. My motto is "If it tastes really, really good, it probably is high in calories, so limit yourself!" 

Punkie1959 I love Leslie Sansone!!! 

Sorry, tasting really good doesn't have to mean high calories. Eat good whole foods and cook them well, season them well. Don't be afraid to try new things. You can find the most amazing and tasty foods. For me if my food doesn't taste really really good I will eat it but never make it again. Tasting good means that you also don't eat as much because you are satisfied and aren't looking for something else to eat 

I will add 100 calories for awhile to see how it sits with my body, then go up from there. And I plan to stay eating clean. I don't have any attachment to food, so I don't have anything I miss. My issue is eating without being present in the moment. Try different ways to find what fits you. I also know I need to change my exercise every so often as my body gets used to it.