I still have at least 30-45 lbs before I'll be ready to be in maintenance mode but I saw the sticky above about Some Answers About Genes, Environment, Obesity and Maintenance and really started freaking out! Especially the part about the Leptin levels and calories per LBM.

I noticed, though, that the sticky is from 2005 so quite a number of years have gone by. Is there now some sort of supplement that helps with your Leptin levels? I found this article: http://www.vrp.com/weight-management...d-heart-health that said that Melatonin, Carnitine, CLA, and omega-3 fatty acids can all help with leptin levels. Is this true and if so has anybody here taken one or more of these to see if it helps?

I'm really glad I saw this now and not at the beginning of my journey because I have a feeling I would be really discouraged and the first thought through my head was that I did all this work and will have to suffer for the rest of my life! (I know, not rational but mostly just really upset). Oh, and I get it probably depends on a lot of things: how old you are, how long you were obese, genetics etc but still...

I don't really have an answer to your question but I was just looking at that sticky yesterday, as a matter of fact! I am very concerned about maintenance myself and started to feel very discouraged and nervous that I am going to struggle too, especially because I regained all 50+ lbs that I lost once before. I was a little angry at myself that I ever became fat to begin with because now it feels like this will be something I have to be diligent about and think about everyday, even in maintenance. However, this morning I was calmer and told myself "oh well. That's life. I'd rather work harder to be thin than let myself go and be fat." You are not alone! And I hope someone knows a thing or two about the supplements because I was wondering the very same thing.

Oh honey don't get all caught up in that stuff. Seriously, don't. Weight loss is a journey and hard work and maintenace is a journey and hard work. It is what it is and you have to figure out how it's going to work for you. Once you've done that you can drive yourself nuts with all the crazy info out there. Keep up the hard work!

This is really a relief to hear. Thank you!