As you can see in my signature, I reached my goal weight a few weeks ago. And I'm really not quite sure what I expected...maybe in my head I was thinking I'd step on the scale, it would start blinking and playing music, confetti would fall from my ceiling, male strippers would start dancing around me, and in a poof of smoke, I would transform into a Victoria Secret model. Well, none of that happened, lol. But really, it was just so anticlimactic when I got to goal. That specific number on the scale that I had been waiting sooo long to see was finally there, and I wrote it down like every other day, and then went and had the same breakfast I have everyday, worked out like I do everyday. My life has not changed at all. I'm living the exact same life, plus 200 extra calories/day, as I was when I was losing.

Not that this bothers me, I like my lifestyle and I am comfortable with it. I don't feel like I'm on a diet at all, I don't feel deprived, everything is very habitual. But I guess I did feel a bit let down that I had finally reached my goal weight and it was just life as normal. I truly don't know what I was expecting. I'm thrilled that I'm at the weight that I'm at, I love my new body, I love the new clothes that fit me, etc etc. But somehow, somewhere in my head, I was still waiting for an immediate change in my body or mind when I reached goal weight that never came. I'm not sure what exactly, but I was expecting a significant distinct difference between the day before goal weight and the day of reaching goal weight. And of course, there was no change.

I was very private with my numbers in "real life." It was obvious that I was losing weight, so it's not like I could deny it, but even my boyfriend and my closest friends (some who are also losing weight) did not know my starting, current, or goal weight numbers. Perhaps if I had shared with them, I'd be able to say "I'm at goal weight!" And we'd have a yay-for-Megan party, but that wasn't the case.

Anyways, I'm just babbling at 6:30am before work. Did anybody else feel like the transition from loss to maintenance was much less thrilling than they'd expected?

I had exactly the same experience as you. Strangely enough I hit my goal weight right after Thanksgiving. I got on the scale, saw the number, and said, "Oh, I got to 130." But nothing felt different, there were no fireworks, and I went about my day exactly the same way I had gone about the previous day, and the day before that. My weight even continued to drop for a while after that while I figured out maintenance, but yeah, it was significantly less thrilling than I expected!

I'm right there with you. But in reality, I am SOOO grateful to have made it. Because I didn't feel the thrill I was hoping to feel, I still, to this day, (6 mos after meeting goal) look at my before picture everyday that is hanging on my wall in my office and I thank that girl. A part of me wants to give her a "going away" party, but she's already gone, and I'm what's left. See what people don't know about me is, once upon a time, I was 120 lbs! Then I went up to 250 lbs within 8 years and finally I lost 120 lbs in a year. So I just feel like the old Sam is back.

I thank that girl everyday though, and she reminds of what it felt like to live that lifestyle. But instead of expecting to have some big party happen, or some other thrill, I motivate and encourage other people to keep going. Because I'm proof that it's possible to do it the natural, hard way! So whether I motivate someone here, or another website, or in my everyday life, I feel like the fact that I made a lil difference in someone, a bigger reward than the gift i gave myself!

I understand this completely. When I hit my goal of 135, it was so anticlimactic. The realization of what I had done hits me now and then, but honestly, when I hopped on the scale that day, it was just another day. I took a picture of it, posted a short blog on it, and went about things as normal.

That's how I felt when I hit goal too and if I could find my goal post in the 100lb club I'd link it here but I'm being way too lazy today. I think it was more because I'm a goal oriented person and I was feeling "Ok, now what?". I did go on my shopping spree I saved up for and that was a lot of fun though lol

Now I'm doing fitness goals, all is right in my world

When I hit 130 (actually I skipped 130 and went right to 129), I didn't care that much. Since I was pretty much sticking to plan, I knew it was going to happen. I agree, it was anti-climactic. I think it's because we are doing a lifestyle change, not a "lose 50 pounds in 50 seconds and look like a movie star" diet.

I'm not ecstatic about goal, but I am relieved. I didn't think I could do this and I have been maintaining (actually still losing a bit) for the past 3 weeks. Maintenance is more of a miracle than weight loss. But it's not a dramatic, "look I dropped a dress size," moment, but a private sense of satisfaction.

I am truly enjoying my new life in maintenance, but it's not something I share with anyone except you all at 3FC.

Yes, I found it anticlimactic too. Definitely no confetti or male strippers around my scales. I think I'm a bit slow for my mind to catch up. A few times lately I've found myself looking in the mirror and feeling good about what I see even though it's not perfect. It's a faint but pleasurable sense of surprise that I look quite slim in something new, or that my face doesn't look fat. I also love feeling fitter and having more energy. Another good one is enjoying my food without feeling that slightly sick, stuffed feeling afterwards: I used to eat so much stuff that made me feel disgusting. So while I didn't have that big moment at goal, I've had little moments of feeling pleased about it later on.

I remember writing a very similar post almost a year ago...(though yours, as always, is so well worded. )

I'm STILL waiting for the male strippers. lol

I think when it mentally hits, that in order to keep the weight off, it never ends, you know, when a person actually understands it's their new way of life, that nothing changes, that they still have to work at it...it's just not confetti material. I found it a little depressing to be honest. But like others have said, you just keep making new goals, and eventually you find peace of mind. (I hope)

Too funny gal, yeah I don't recall any confetti nor stippers either, wth? So yup, your not alone on that front! Does that make you feel any better????.... Ha ha ha
FYI, the longer you are in maintenance it becomes pretty much same ole same ole, no singing and no dancers, you dont even get the thrill of watching the number go down, down, down, but staying the same is pretty kewl in itself though, and maintaining your loss, loving the way you look and you feel great just by slipping into your skinny jeans makes it all worth while each and everyday. Its a long haul, so try to enjoy the lil things because maintenance is still a pretty darn kewl place to be! Congrats!

Heres some confetti and horn tootin & a striped man for you, way to make it girl!
, sorry this was the best I could do! Nice 'Johnson huh?

~ Wendalyn

I can relate, having reached a goal of a different sort. The day I was able to run a 5K without stopping I nudged my friend beside me and said, "Watch my screen!" as it was about to roll over to 3.1 miles. I laughed (and posted) about it saying, "Can you believe there was no confetti?" I'm not sure exactly what I expected to happen, but somewhere in the recesses of my brain I thought sirens would blare, confetti would fall and everyone in the gym would stop what they were doing to admire me. It was very anti-climatic.

From there, I just chose new goals. I love working toward them, and reaching them, though anti-climatic, is still pretty awesome. I ride high for at least a day. So I make LOTS of little goals so I have many pretty awesome days.

Do you have any goals for yourself now that you've reached this one? What other interests do you have in life?

I don't even remember the date. It was like - oh, look, the scale says what I want it to. Neat.

And then I moved on.

I've been more excited about some fitness milestones (sub 30 min 5k, running 60 min straight, etc), but even those...yeah, no confetti.

That is hillarious. I nearly busted a rib. I needed a good laugh today.

Why thank you, I thought it was a classic too!
Some might think , but me no care!
'Suppose I coulda used the Dancin dudes 'johnson too, cuz that dude is really shakin it!


By the way, nice new pic Loribell, you look smashing in pink!

You know what though? I find that the ecstatic moments for me come when I don't expect them. It wasn't so much the number on the scale, but walking into stores that I could not previously buy clothes in because they never came in my size. Slipping on those size 4/6 pants... OHHH MAN. That NEVER gets old! I find I am just as ecstatic today (3-4 months later) when I slip on a pair of size 6 jeans from Express and they fit like they were made for me than the first time I tried them on. For me, that's when the ecstatic moments come. The fear of going into the dressing room and not having anything that fit... those days are over. That's when the excitement hits, even if it's just me doing the "I'm skinny! I'm skinny!" dance in the dressing room by myself.

Fat Pants, I hear ya on that. Shopping used to be a dreaded event just because I haaated trying so much stuff on that wasn't flattering in order to find one article of clothing that most minimized my bulges. I couldn't even fathom picking up clothes and buying them without trying them on no matter what size a person was. These days, I avoid shopping just because I'd buy everything and I don't have the money for that! I can go in a store and pick up a size small or size 3/4 and just know it'll look good so I buy it. Get home, put it on, and wished I'd bought one in another color, haha.

I do have exhilerating moments of "wow, I LOVE my new self!" I'll catch a reflection of myself in a window and thing "my goodness, look how refined my facial features have become...I actually have a jaw and cheekbones!" Just little things like that.