Would any maintainers like to share some info with me?

I am currently at 139. My original goal was 135, down from 235. I started last June 15th. So about a month off from it being a year.

I am trying really hard not to feel like I've lost the battle if I decide to stop losing and start maintaining now. I realize that this is something I have to overcome in my own mind and thoughts and that no one can make this decision for me.

Many might think "why would you quit with only 4 lbs. to go?" Well, honestly, I am not sure if I can restrict enough to lose the last 4 lbs without feeling deprived and OCD about it. I am eating quite a few calories at this weight and never feel deprived, and I've been maintaining this weight. I decided to stop weighing every day and start weighing weekly on Mondays and guess what? I am apparently eating correctly, without counting, because I haven't gained. I pretty much know now what I can eat and what I can't.

Did anyone else stop short of their original goal and did you make peace with it?

Well, you chose the goal for an arbitrary reason, so you can decide to change it anytime you want. It's not like you'll lose the Olympic gold if you change your goal. And no one will chase you down the street yelling "Bad! Bad! You didn't reach your GOAL!"

Jay

I had a goal of 135 based on the fact that I'd been that weight before and had maintained it for a year or so, but in retrospect, not only was it difficult to get there, but it was difficult to maintain. The second time around, I determined that 140 is more my style, easier to maintain and just a few pounds difference on my frame didn't mean much. (Yeah, I could have lost and gone down to a size 4, but why be miserable? Six is just fine.) This time around (yes, I regained again) I'm working my way back down to 140 as my goal.

From your profile pic, it looks like you exercise a lot. I weight about 15lbs more than I did at this size when I was younger. In other words, when I was a size 8-10 in my early 20's, I weighed about 140. Now, at 155, I am that same size 8-10 because of muscle mass. I actually lost down to 149, but my face looked positively skeletal and I was obsessing about food and was hungry all the time. The original goal is just a number to focus on while you're losing. Your actual weight that you're comfortable and happy with can be different. CONGRATS on your weight loss! What an accomplishment!

Girl, sounds like YOU are at GOAL! Congratulations you have done great with your loss & BFD about the last 4 lbs if your feeling it and looking great in your clothes, why obsess about the last of it, just start maintenance NOW, ahem your entitled to change your GOAL yanno! CONGRATS for making GOAL & happy maintenance to ya!

I declared goal the minute I entered into a "normal" BMI range. Since then, (in the last 2 years), I have lost approx 15-20 more pounds, (depending on the day) just trying to tweak things.

Congratulations on your loss! What a wonderful achievement you have accomplished for your mind, body and soul.

There's a group of people, I'm one, who never set a goal weight - just chose an eating plan and exercise plan they were willing to do for life. And let their bodies choose its corresponding weight.

Sounds like you could declare yourself part of this group and wildly celebrate your victory!

Milmin - I'm butting in to say, I know what you mean!

My original goal was 140, and I've lowered it in 5 pound increments since then. I'm now 1 pound away from what I'd already determined to be my *final* goal, 115. I've been hanging out at 116 for the last couple of weeks. Hmmm, sounds like I'm maintaining, huh?

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I'm happy here, it's sustainable, and like you, I don't want to go all OCD to get off 1 lousy pound that doesn't mean that much anyway. So I'm going to officially enter maintenance on May 31st at whatever weight I am that day. That'll be my retroactive goal weight. (I chose May 31st because I'm a teacher and that's the beginning of summer term; until then May is filled with travel and strange schedules.)

Whatever you decide, I'm looking forward to maintaining with you!

You are there girl! Congrats!
What an accomplishment. Revel in it.
Your weight will fluctuate some in maintenance. Many of us have "acceptable" to us ranges, and "red lines" we don't want to go over. In the past few years, my weight has fluctuated over 10 pounds yet I've considered myself in maintenance the whole time. If it goes higher than I want, I work to bring it back down.
Your weight may naturally come down a few more pounds in the months to come. Or maybe it won't. Either way, you have made it!

Woo hoo!!

I am there too...I am 2 lousy pounds away from my goal, which I chose pretty much because I could say I lost 100 pounds, how silly is that?? haha I've decided to throw out my "goal" and just call it good...as others have mentioned too I wouldn't be surprised if we were to lose a few more during maintenance anyways.

Congratulations!!!

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful responses! I so appreciate everyone taking time out of their busy lives to answer my question.

I am running late to go pick up a "packet" for a race I have this weekend in Fort Worth, so I don't have time to post to each of you the way I'd like. BUT, thank you so much for all of your encouragement, kicks in the butt, and words of wisdom over the past year. This forum and the lovely people who belong to it, are a great deal of the reason I've kept going.

You all ROCK!