blkbear's Journal, 10 April 2016

Not sure if this will help but some the thoughts that helped me stay focused, not get discouraged, etc. for this final phase (hit 64kg, then slowly ramp down to 60-62kg)...here goes: (1)don't look at it as a "race" to the finish line. That is not what this is. Instead, look at the 175-165 phase as a pre-maintenance, where it's okay if the pace slows down, because that slowdown will ALSO give you clues on where you'll need to aim when maintenance comes around. It's the final, rewarding phase where you adjust to the new needs of your body, and rather than slamming on the brakes, you're gradually slowing the deficit down. (2)find out what your BMR/TDEE will be at your goal weight - objective here is an idea of what your "new normal" will be, and (optional, depending on how fast you really are trying to go) aim for that as your intake. (3)Remember that for many people - (me included!) - the less your body has to lose, even with some TDEE adjustment for your new needs, the longer it can take to drop a pound here, or there. And finally (4) - you must always remember that you didn't gain this overnight, you won't lose it overnight - the same patience, fortitude and determination that took you to 175 isn't going to abandon you in those last 10 pounds - unless you let it. :)  

Firstly definitely take the number seriously because they are actually not low enough. Use your common sense and decide what your frame is. The larger your frame, the more toward the high end of the average weights you should be. Now let me say how wonderful you have done and how envious I am. I wish I was within 8 lbs of my goal. Of course, I have only myself to blame since I've been swinging up and down since Thanksgiving and letting my emotions govern my eating. That's another story. I think real_gone_girl gave some good advice. I would say that if you are up for it go to 165. Then start adjusting your eating and adding in things you like one at a time. Monitor your weight closely, at least twice a week. Use this time as a learning period with the foods you can add and how much exercise is needed to keep you where you want to be. For myself, I am leaning toward watching my food intake during the week and allowing extras mostly on the weekends when I get to maintenance. Right now I'm just trying to make myself get off my butt and exercise more. Just keep up the good work. I am so very impressed with your success. I know how hard it is because I also started from above 300. If I had not run into that snag at Thanksgiving I might be where you are now. You go girl!!!!! 

I never really had a goal weight as such, but decided recently I'd try maintaining for a while. I'm going on an extended trip soon, and won't necessarily be able to record food and weigh myself, so I thought I needed to prepare by learning to manage my weight without doing those things. So in the last four weeks I have just been trying to stick to my new eating habits, but allowing myself to eat a bit more when I've felt like it, and have a few more 'treats'. I've weighed sometimes, but not every day, and weight has gone up and down a little, as it does, but overall it's holding steady. I am very surprised, and very happy about this. I did think there would be a kind of rebound, but there hasn't been, and I am learning to trust myself around food. I know what to buy when I shop for food, and what to avoid when eating out, I know what to limit to small quantities, and I can do it. So I hope you will have the same experience when you decide to quit losing. I think it's important to check-weigh occasionally though, so that you can't kid yourself that everything is fine when it's not. In the past I've been very good at kidding myself. Hope this helps, and good luck!