Okay. So, I've made it to my college weight of 124 (and I think I actually am slightly smaller than then, from all the running I've been doing!!). My actual goal is 122, but that was just a random pick. I'm not sure. I think I'd like to lose a bit more, but not much.

I'm soooo nervous about going into maintenance though! Do you just find the right balance of what works for you to maintain? I'm afraid I'll keep losing, or gain too much back, or get into my bad habits.

Any other SBD maintainers can share how it went for them? Any helpful hints?

What a good idea and how encouraging for those of us still on the journey. I know we have several folks who are on maintenance and hope they join you.

I'll join you if I live long enough!

Congratulations!!

You may want to take a look around the maintainers forum if you haven't already. They reached their goals on multiple plans and are a wealth of wisdom.
http://3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=167

I like the idea of a thread just for SBD maintainers.

I haven't been on SB that long, since January, but I've been maintaining for several months now. I actually kind of stayed on Phase II but add occasional splurges on weekends or special occasions (which I guess is Phase III). I eat 1-2 servings of fruit and 2-3 servings of grains, so I'm very satisfied with my meals. This seems to work for me. In fact, I am still losing about one pound a month. I actually weighed 114 last week. I'm really impressed with SB's ability to do that for me. That's not been the case on any other meal plan I've used previously.

I constantly have people ask me how I've lost weight and want to know more about SB. Too bad I don't work on commission!

First of all, I am not anywhere near where I need to be for optimal health. However, for different reasons at different times, I have decided to go on a maintenance form of the food plan I was/am on. I am currently doing that now.

I am on an extended stay and living with my elderly father while my Mom is recovering from cancer surgery, multiple strokes and heart attacks, pneumonia and a host of other ailments. Mom is currently in a nursing home about 25 miles away. Compound this stress with the fact that there are some legal and financial issues involved and you can see that there is a lot of inherent stress in this. However, stress affects me by not wanting to eat.

What I do when I make a conscious decision to "maintain" (which I prefer to think of as treading water-meaning I am not going forward and I am not going back) is that I have a couple of check points that I implement:

1) I weigh myself once a week to see if I need to be more or less careful in what I am eating, which usually means eating less but sometimes it means something different, like less of restaurant foods which have a lot more salt in them and the portions are bigger.

2) I "maintain" whatever activity I was doing prior to deciding to "maintain" my food plan.

3) I make sure that I am working a good program for my 12 Step regarding my compulsive overeating.

4) I take care of myself spiritually and emotionally too. I attend weekly Mass, I read my Bible, I talk with my DH every night and I catch up on seeing old friends.

Boundaries, setting limitations, not using food for non-food emotions and taking care of myself help keep me where I need to be until I can pick up where I left off.

That works for me!

I have been maintaining for a year now. At first it was a struggle because I was still losing (guess I wasn't really maintaining after all) finding the right balance. I didn't really change my eating habits, but I wasn't as strict about my eating as I was during my "losing days". The last month or so has been a bit of a struggle again trying to find that balance as my "ocassional treats" have gotten a bit out of hand.

I tried "hanging out" with the maintainers but found their thread a little over whelming and just couldn't leave my SB chicks who played such a huge role in my success.

I probably haven't helped answer your question, but the most important thing I can suggest is just don't let those "treats" get out of control.

Good luck!

I second what you stated, Stephanie. I think it's interesting that you continued to lose past your goal as I have done. If I stay on plan, it's rather effortless to me. People ask me if I'm still losing weight or say I'm getting too thin, but I'm not really trying to. I'm sure it will level itself out. The occasional treats sometimes do turn in to an evening of overeating, especially ice cream or carbs. But I seem to be able to turn that around and get back on plan right away. I think that is because I really like what I eat on SB, whereas before I felt it was drudgery or something like that to go back on plan. So I really think that is the key, to find a healthy way of eating that works for you and that you can live with. I feel blessed and incredibly pleased that I have "discovered" SB.

I'm so glad you Beach Babes have started this thread. It will be helpful not only to you gals but to all the Beachers who are struggling. I appreciate that you all pop in to the regular threads and offer suggestions. You are valuable resources and I'm glad you're continuing to hang out on The Beach.

Agreed!!

Thanks, Ruth.

I was at the dentist's office last week and the hygienist and I were discussing diet as it concerned dental health. I told her my wonderful experience on SB and she was quite interested in it as she wanted to drop some weight. I had to return today for more work and she said she had been doing some internet research on SB and was going to give it a try. I have had this happen to me at work also. People are always impressed with my weight loss when they see the volume of food I eat. I encouraged the gal today to visit our forum for help beyond reading the book.

I have noticed that a lot of the maintainers indicate they have a "red line" weight about 5 pounds up. When they approach it or reach it, it's a warning sign they need to make sure they're eating on plan and cut back on treats.

I've been maintaining for about 5 months and basically I'm pretty much eating phase 2 with a "treat" every now and then.

(we won't count the past week where I have been eating things that are unmentionable, but since I have power back on, it's only beachy stuff from now on. I thought the sugar, white flour etc that I consumed would cause huge cravings...just the opposite..it was repulsive, but I ate it anyway cause it was all I had other than cans of beans and hot beans in sweltering heat turned my stomach even more than the sugar) Ok, last night it wasn't repulsive...I ate crab cakes and white pasta with alfredo sauce and some grilled zuchinni, but it was honestly the best choice I had from a "post hurricane" limited restaurant menu and I was thrilled to get it. (I was even happier with their air condition!) It tasted great, but not THAT great. I don't think I've gained any weight over the past few days. probably sweated off any that I did gain.

bump for new maintainers

Okay, so admittedly I haven't exactly contributed to this thread so far
probably because for the last few weeks I've been having a hard time staying motivated. I'm not way off plan, but I'm a little lazier about exercise (doubt I'll hit my 2000 minute goal for the month) and a little more relaxed about food. I haven't gained any weight but I haven't lost the last couple either. Haven't lost anything for 2 months due to lack of commitment not a plateau. The thing is I reset my goal lower because I was still losing and I liked the idea of 140 as my red line with 135 as my weight. Maybe I just got tired of the numbers game. I'm also super busy with the fall food storage thing, seems like every spare minute is going into that. I'm sure I can come up with other excuses to

So what do you all do to keep motivated, boost your motivation when it flags? I'm afraid that if I keep being so laid back I'll start to regain!

I've been buying new clothes! I'm motivated because I've recently bought some size 2's and now that I have them, I don't want to give them up. I'm also pretty satisfied eating 1-2 fruits & 2-3 grains and I love eating South Beach. The food is amazing to me. I eat a Tbs. of almond butter every morning with my oatmeal and a Tbs. every evening with my Ezekial toast. I do go off plan occasionally but it's a planned thing for special events. I'll have to be careful when the holidays are here. I've only been on SB since January so that will be the real test for me.