Maintenance is a pain in the butt. :lol:

Maintenance is a roller coaster.

Maintenance is like walking on an icy hill. Sometimes you slip down a little, and you have to claw your way back to where you were, or else you end up sliding all the way down.

Maintenance is like marriage. You make a committment for life, and sometimes it's great, sometimes it's not so great, but you always have to put in your best effort and you don't get the great times for free.

All of these comments need to be compiled and put onto posters that we can attach to our fridges! Priceless, really.

Maintenance is life with self-control.

Maintenance is what keeps us out of extra large clothing.

From the Merriam Webster Dictionary:

1: to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline <maintain machinery>

I like to think of this body as a complex machine. The higher the quality of the maintenance, the longer it's gonna last me. That includes all aspects of health, not just weight loss. Proper sleep, good nutrition, exercise, stress reduction....they're all important parts of the equation for a quality lifestyle.

I love all these!

Anne, thanks for sharing the dictionary definition. The more I get into this whole journey, the more I realize it is about looking for health and balance---mental health, physical health, good nutrition. Keeping my body working well means more than a number on the scale. It means moving, getting my heart pumping, protecting my muscles and my bones. We only get one body....we should treat it well, very well.

Maintenance is caring enough about my body to treat it with respect and remain mindful of what it needs to work at an optimal level.

Originally Posted by :
Maintenance is the healthy lifestyle I should have been following all along.

This is almost word for word what popped into my head when I first so the thread. I mean immediately, without giving it a second thought.

Then I gave it a second, and third and fourth ..... thought and many of my answers are here as well.

I will add....

Maintenance is extremely important to me. It's very much on my mind. I take it very seriously. And I believe the only way it can work for me, is if I continue to make it a top priority.

So yes, like Meg said, "It's 24/7/365". *Sighs heavily*

I will also say that I am just so thrilled beyond belief that I'm in maintenance. 19 months later and sometimes I still have to pinch myself. :dancer: Did *I* just run up those stairs without getting winded? Can that possibly be *my* closet full of awesomely, incredible, fabulous, clothing????? Can that be *my* husband who has lovingly nicknamed *me*,yes *ME, "slim"? I'm digressing, I'm digressing. :D

Yeah, it's HARD at times. But others - not so much. R O L L E R C O A S T E R.

But damn, it's rewarding!

I love all the responses so far! Every single one hits home for me.

Maintenance is awareness and mindfulness.

Maintenance is 1000 choices every day.

Maintenance is acceptance that perfection is not the ultimate goal. Good enough really is an OK place to be.

Maintenance is keeping myself on the list of things I value and give time to.

So much truth and wisdom here!!

Maintenance is a dynamic process, not a static one. We have consistent behaviors that work for us, but within those behaviors, we continue to explore, experiment, and try new things---new recipes, new foods, new types of exercise, new running routes, new races, new weight-lifting techniques, new shoes, new exercise clothes, new jeans :devil:....mixing things up a bit to keep it interesting. I love to learn more about all the aspects of this journey---nutrition and exercise. It has its own continuing education!

Maintenance is a life-long learning process about my body and mind (although sometimes I don't think the two occupy the same space at the same time :p).

Maintenance is having chocolate cake :devil: with your tea on Saturday, knowing you will eat a can of turkey chunks as an afternoon snack for the next four days to compensate.

Maintenance is putting on the size 6 :D jeans you find in the back of the closet and knowing they'll zip no problem.

And finally, maintenance is the rollercoaster I'll ride for the rest of my life :yay: (hopefully without too many :barf: bumps)

Dagmar :p

Maintenance is being responsible about your health.

Maintenance is knowing you can have xyz, but deciding you won't.

Maintenance is eating intelligently.

Maintenance is finding a balance - continuously.

I've thought a lot about this and have had difficulty putting my thoughts into words. Here is what I have so far.

Maintenance is loving myself as much as I love the people around me.

Maintenance is not taking me for granted anymore.

Maintenance is creating a healthier me that has only had one head cold this entire season when I used to be sick from September to March.

Maintenance isn't one moment, it is a long line of choices. Cake today isn't just cake today - it is 'how does this cake today fit into the rest of my week so far', and 'can I live with the things I might not have tomorrow for this cake today'.

Maintenance is a balancing act.

Maintenance is planning ahead and having strategies for when you can't.

Maintenance is self care instead of self sabotage.