Jornal de GigiDunaway, 29 jan 24

funny because in thinking about my reply, I had to decide how I felt about the word, 'success.' I guess I have experienced that. The journey never ends, though! ha ha ha some months are more successful than others! 😅 

I'm trying to maintain within about a 5-pound window, although I've been trending on the high side of that lately, which I'm not crazy about. I stopped tracking and am trying to eat more intuitively, but also based on what I learned from tracking diligently for so long. For me, I'll take the 5-pound trade-off at the moment, as long as it doesn't go beyond that. I do want to focus on building some strength  

Good luck!  

I’ve been in maintenance for about one year. I still log my food every day (for now) and log my exercise. I began my health journey Nov 2021. When I decided to go into maintenance, I upped my calories some. My calorie intake now ranges mostly from 1900 - 2200, depending on how hungry I feel. I’m 55, 5’4”, and weigh 128-130. I fluctuate constantly with that weight range and I’m ok with that. If I were to go over 130 pounds, I’d prob tweak my intake and lower it a bit for a couple of weeks but not drastically. (Prob 1850-1900 temporarily). I try and stay active so I can eat more on the days when I’m feeling extra hungry. I strength train twice a week with 30lb kettle bell and hiit (in the summer 3Xs weekly) and I WALK DAILY. 

I've been in maintenance for quite some time and I, like Stormsgirl still log everyday and I plan and prep meals to stay on track. I exercise 6 days a week as well. During the holidays I gained 6 lbs in about a month and seem to be having a hard time losing it. I've only lost 2 lbs even though I've gone on a stricter and cleaner diet. So my point is that it's an ongoing merry go round. You got this!🩷👍 

It’s a whole lot of routine for me. Working full time gets me my steps and I don’t eat out very often so I have a better guesstimate of cals. Monthly I have about 5 lb cycle (I still weigh daily and log once a week) Things change and I suppose mastering maintenance would be using those good habits and adjusting accordingly. Ongoing lol 

Im pretty much a repeat of Stormsgirl. Train 2x a week sometimes 3 and walk generally 7 days a week for about 4 miles tho usually higher in the summertime. Minus the past month with family stuff going on i usually weigh daily *i dont recommend that it’s just my head is messy* i also record all my food and exercise under normal conditions. I have been in maintenance for not quite a year. I have a 4 pound window. Don’t want to be under 134 dont want to be over 138 so when it creeps up i double down and reduce calories or increase exercise or both. Good luck on your journey  

Thanks, everyone! ❤️ 

Just started maintenance phase my self. I have decided to have a “ceiling” and restrict calories once the ceiling is hit. When under the ceiling, I still track my calories but I am more loose with it, and a result, I do tend to gain weight. So I am cycling between being firm vs loose regarding what I eat. 

How do you know you've lost muscle? Did you have a DEXA scan before and after? I had a DEXA last fall and also got my resting metabolic rate (RMR) tested. SO, I'm about at maintenance. I also will do similar to STORMGIRL. She deserves an award! I'm going to get another DEXA scan done in a few months but will increase my calories SLOWLY. I will start by eat my RMR calories first. If I still lose on that, I'm going to add a little every week. I'M working on weight lifting and i walk every day.  

Jenjabba, I didn't get any scans. I can just tell by the tone of my muscles and my strength. I've lost 20+ lbs a few times in my life, so I've learned over time how to tell what's going on in my body. It hasn't at all been hard to tell that I've lost muscle. I can tell in my arms and thighs, especially. Combined with the loss in strength, and knowing that at times my protein intake dipped down to 11%, it wasn't rocket science. 🤣 

Good luck, Chris!! I hear you, Year of health, my head gets messy, too. 🥰 

Good luck. I am trying to focus on muscle mass as well as I approach my goal weight (again) 

I hit my original goal almost 3 years ago, March 2020. In 2023, I reset my goal 5 lbs. lower each time because I gradually lost more weight after starting a regular gym workout program. I eat between 1700-2000 calories a day. I weigh myself daily with the understanding that I will have fluctuations. I'm still logging my foods cause it helps keep me on track & I'm monitoring my macros. After joining the gym, I started paying more attention to getting enough protein. l follow the same "schedule" as I did during weight loss....eating 3 times a day with dessert after dinner. Minimal snacking, but I will have a small, low calorie snack if I feel hungry. I also added a planned snack mid workout. If I see my weight is up, I try to plan a lower calorie day. Since the holidays, I have been maintaining about 2-3 lbs. over my goal. I'm currently trying to lower that, but not rigidly. I eat healthy foods but also include treats regularly. Moderation is the key for me.  

***Goal weight is 10 lbs. lower than 2020 goal*** Gym workouts- 3× Week 

Thanks, Sherrye! And congrats on making and keeping your goal!!! 🥰 

Weight gain sneaks up on you with a gradual sense of self denial; beware! Personal fortitude with no guessing on goals…hey?