Op, I'm just starting to transition to maintenance and I'm definitely in freak out mode with you

There's already so much wisdom in this thread but I'll try to contribute (or echo and agree with) a few thoughts.

- Be honest with yourself. When I was losing weight, my "special occasions" were my birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. When I started maintenance, they eased up to a splurge every month or so. By the time I realized I was 5 pounds over my red line and it wasn't just water weight, I was having "special occasion food" once or twice a week. So for me, I needed to stop making excuses about what the scale said and how my behavior was directly affecting the scale.

- Yo-yo dieting on a very short string. YES!!! Perfect thought. Choose a red line weight and STICK TO IT. So much less painful than what I'm doing now.

- I found that my body didn't "settle" into its new weight for a while. I continued to go down even after I bumped up calories, then bounced up, then to my maintenance happy weight. I think your idea of going slowly, a month at a time, is excellent for that reason.

- Keep setting goals in other areas of life. I had been so focused on the scale for so long (and getting such awesome positive reinforcement from it) that, when losses stopped, it was a letdown. I was expecting that, of course, but it was still deflating. So choose another goal - fitness or a hobby or work-related or whatever - so that that energy and positivity can come from another source.

Good luck!

You will see your usual monthly and sodium water-retention weight fluctuations, but don't let that worry you. Pay attention to how your clothes fit. I mainained 142-146 lbs. for over a year on 1600-1800 calories, which included quite a bit of processed food. But now that I eat 95% home-cooked meals (clean eating w/lots of fruits and veggies, etc.), I can eat 1800-2000 calories and maintain a slightly lower weight of 137. I count calories religiously and weigh almost everything. Everyone is different and it takes time to figure it out. Luckily, if you pay attention to your calories, measurements and weight, you'll be able to figure out what works for you over time. Try not to be afraid to eat a little bit more and then see how you're doing periodically.

I reached my goal (102); set a new one (100); reached that; set a final one (95); reached that; and then kept eating the same, to maintain, but lost more weight. Could make the story so much longer, but I like the way I look, although the number is kind of scary, and--the crux of the matter--I am sooooooo scared to change my eating to prevent any further weight loss. I feel like an alcoholic who has reached equilibrium, but been asked to add in one drink a day.

Not to be critical, just someone if the same height commenting. I can't even imagine being 95 pounds and am sure it is way too low for me although it might be right for you. I am a couple ( about 3) pounds more than I would like but am pretty much OK with it. I maintain by keeping a hawk eye on my scale, I weigh every day and keep it posted on my calendar. I can see at a glance if any trend is happening.Right now I am expecting a "whoosh" any day ..

Maintaining since 2007 is pretty amazing!!