Oh, I just saw this thread and you and I are having very similar experiences!!!

I started struggling mentally when I got to 179. I kind of wanted to lose more but just couldn't deal with the self-sabotage. After the scale stayed put for a while I decided to just try to maintain I couldn't before. For me, giving myself permission to eat more (a little more) really did help!!!

I still log my food, exercise a lot and try to eat as healthy as possible. I'm living my maintenance life. I do let myself enjoy more off meals or treats, but not a lot.

There's no one right way to do this Tammy, and if you need a break, take it!!!!! Just don't become complacent (my big worry)..

This is my fourth day at “maintaining” and it is SUCH a relief to get on the scales and to know that it doesn’t matter if it shows a loss or not. It just feels good to see the same thing right now.

Allison, I could never leave 3FC. I think you all really help keep me on track :) .

Fae, Since I read your post (and Claudia’s), I’ve thought more about focusing on my accomplishment. Although I’m not at my goal, I’ve come a long way from where I started, and I’m proud of that. Your pictures look great, by the way.

Carolyn, I probably should refrain from weighing everyday, but I look at it as a way of being honest with myself. I went close to 12 years without weighing, and not facing reality. In my mind, I was still the 180 lbs that I was in college. For me, I think I will need to continue weighing, but accept that for the next few weeks, it won’t change.

Glory, Oh I have read and re-read your weight loss story with great interest over the last several months. I have had it stuck back in my memory for that time when I get closer to my goal. I am increasing my calories slightly at this point (between 100 – 200 calories per day), but still counting calories, still avoiding trigger foods, still exercising.

Claudia, I’ve been losing fairly consistently. I wasn’t really a plateau that has frustrated me so much as the speed of weight loss lately. I agree that the amount of weight I have lost may be affecting why it seems to have slowed down. (Although I know that a lb a week is still a healthy amount to lose per week.) I’m curious what will happen too now that I'm increasing calories. I’m going to stay around 1800 – 1900 calories per day for the next couple of weeks and see if I can maintain at that.

Heather, I remembered you were maintaining and wondered how you decided to begin. It sounds quite similar to my experience. I can already see that taking the break is going to be very good for my moral. I guess I have just been so focused on getting to my goal that I hadn’t needed to take that break yet. But this is definitely the time. I’m taking Allison’s suggestion to set a date to begin losing again. I’ve decided that if I haven’t already restarted by June 1st, that will be my official restart date. I don’t think I’ll really need that long a break, but if I do, that’s when I’ll restart.

Take care ladies, and THANK you all for your comments and suggestions. I have taken them all to heart and appreciate it muchly!