Living Maintenance - Can I hang with you guys?

For those that don't know me... my name is Tammy and I've lost 142 pounds through calorie counting and exercise with a focus on whole foods nutrition. I've done this in less than 11 months so far and would like to lose another 85 pounds or so.

It's been suggested a time or two to come over and start posting NOW to get used to what living a maintenance lifestyle will be like :)

So I'm here and looking forward to soaking up all of your knowledge :)

Maintenance is for anyone who has lost weight and wants to keep it off, no matter what you currently weigh! I think I've been hanging around here ever since I got below 300.

Hi, Tammy. No, you can't sit with us. This is a reserved table...

Just kidding, of course! :welcome:! I started posting here once I hit 145, even though I knew I wanted to lose 10-20 more pounds. I was still determined to keep all the weight I lost off even if, for some reason, I DIDN'T lose any more... as are you! Sit down and stay awhile :D

Most definitely! It's called the "maintainers" forum but there are plenty of people here who aren't quite at goal, or have regained a bit above goal and are in "losing" mode again, or... etc. I'm in the second ground - I've regained a bit of weight and am trying to lose it, but nobody's kicked me out yet. :p

I'm so impressed by your loss, Tammy! Looking forward to getting to know you more.

Wow, Tammy, that's an INCREDIBLE achievement! Just fantastic!

Come on over honey! You might not have met your final goal, but you have definitely maintained a heck of a loss! :)

I love reading your posts, and am looking forward to getting to know you better as well!

*Big grins!*

Thanks ladies! I know I have over 80 lbs left to lose but I'm getting excited for the "final push." I'm very very motivated to be in the 100's by Yule this year and even MORE excited to hopefully be at goal by next summer. I never in a million years thought that I'd be here... now... at this weight. And I am :)

I'm going to jump in the chats and stuff as well if it's okay!

Everyone scoot over, we've got a new maintainer! :D Welcome, Tammy, we're thrilled to have you here. :carrot: Now is exactly the right time for you to start thinking about life after weight loss, a/k/a maintenance. Too bad weight loss gets all the attention, because that part of our journey is only a small fraction of the time we spent keeping it off for the rest of our (healthy and fit) lives. In fact, for me, weight loss was less than 1/8 of my adventures in maintenance -- and proportionately getting smaller as the years go by. So think of your remaining days of weight loss as practice for maintenance: polishing your skills, assembling your tricks, and getting firmly dug into your new way of life. And stick with us all the way and you'll be a glorious maintainer too before you know it!!

But of course! Pull up a chair!

Maintenance isn't much different from losing anyway, so we have all the same things to talk about!

Welcome! We're all in this journey together....

Of Course ! You have already maintained a 142 pound loss , that is fantastic !

cfmama - Congrats on your major loss, and best wishes for your continued success.

Yep, you're a maintainer. I think it's Meg's rule that after the first pound you're a maintainer. I like that thought.

Welcome :wave: and congratulations on your loss and MAINTENANCE so far!

Mel

Tammy - so glad to have you over here. You ARE maintaining an incredible loss. And, you are doing so with many challenges and obstacles on the journey!

I'm delighted that you have joined us over here :D

You ladies are making me smile :) Thanks for the warm welcome!!!

Welcome Tammy!
That is a crazy amount of weight to lose in less than a year. You must be super motivated!
Can't wait to get to know you better.

Look who's here!!!!! I'm so happy to "see" you here.

Glad you've decided to hang out here, because like Meg mentioned, this is where the bulk of your journey will be. And when I say bulk - I mean - forever. I know you well enough to know that you didn't get into this journey just to LOSE the weight, no you have every full intention of keeping it off.

You were/are a loser "extraordinaire" and I'm sure you'll be a maintainer "extraordinaire".

Welcome aboard!!!!