Nightengaleshane & candykisses - Thanks for the health info! I didn't figure it had anything to do with my weight loss, but you never know! I'll talk to the doctor...

Hi, I had the same situation - I wanted to be 154 and I've ended up at 128. My weight has been stable for about 9 months now, though. I too was a thin child and very active, and then slowly put on weight for 25 years as an adult. As I look back at what I used to eat, I am not sure why I only weighed 213 pounds, not 300+, with the calories levels I consumed. All I can say is that I was certainly a glutton. Every bad eating habit in the book.

I don't want to sound like I'm rubbing it in about needing to maintain weight when it is not a common problem. However, I'm very aware that despite my situation now, I did eat my way into a person 85 pounds larger than I am today, and it can happen again, so I've got to stay vigilent.

I had to experiment a bit with calories vs. exercise when my doctor told I should not lose any more weight, and it was hard to make myself eat more (and then not feel bad about not going to the fitness center, etc., to make up for it). I tried to add foods that were dense in calories but not too fatty, so not a lot of meat etc., so the volume I ate did not go up too much, just the calories. As time passed I hit an equilibrium and now feel I am in the right routine to stay at this weight, not gain, not lose. Just keep making changes a little at a time and your body will tell you where it wants to be.

Regarding the bosom situation, I have the same problem of the disappeared chest. I went for a mammogram recently and they were doing a quick check against my last films (18 months ago) before I left. The nurse came in, looks at my chest, and says hesitantly, "Did you lose a lot of weight since the last time?" I told her yes, and she sighed in relief - she said, " There is so much less tissue this time than last time it looked like 2 different women, and I thought I'd pulled the wrong file to compare."

Also, I also have a mild version of the situation with the blood pressure/dizziness thing. I find it is worse when I am dehydrated. I mentioned this to my doctor and he was not concerned, just to be aware of it, and stay hydrated. That has made a big difference to me.

PinkGeranium...sounds like we're a lot alike!

I may have found my equilibrium, though (finally!). I lost my usual 3 pounds during my TOM, BUT I put it back on the next week this time. So I'm still at about 147-149, with 1,650 calories a day (give or take) and 30 minutes of cardio.

You know, it's crazy how my self-esteem has gone through the floor. I figured I'd have the opposite reaction and feel SO much better about myself and how I look. Now, I can't stand for anyone to see my underarms, where there's ugly loose skin hanging, and I refuse to let my husband see me in anything other than full dress from my neck to my knees. Maybe that will go away in time. I hope so!!

My doctor wasn't too worried about the blood pressure thing, I suppose. I stay hydrated pretty well, though, and it still happens. If it keeps up I may find a new doctor to talk to about the problem.

I have one more tip. Regarding the flabby underarm skin, try some triceps exercises. I have found they've made a huge difference - took time, but really helped.

I think the body image issue seems to be pretty common? Sometimes getting what you want doesn't turn out like you thought? I know that as time has passed and I have worked on some toning (I do 2-3 weights classes a week at my gym) many problem spots have disappeared or been diminished. Plus I've gotten used to how I look now and do not focus on the flaws but instead on all the improvements. (The only major exception being that I had to admit that I will never just wear a sports bra and shorts to the gym, I just don't think the world is ready for a view of my stomach. But then, I don't have much of a craving to dress like that anyway, so it's all good!)

Seems to me that maintaining is also about maintaining (or refining) a mental attitude and it takes time to adjust. We have all undergone major changes and I think it's only natural there is a lot of conflict about it, each person with their own particular issues.

PinkGeranium...I've recently started with some triceps exercises, so I'll keep 'em up and see how it goes over time!

Wow...it's nice to see someone who doesn't think I'm insane for the body image issues. I was a member of another board, and had the same concerns a while back. I was pretty much blasted and called crazy (hence the reason I'm here, and much happier!)