OK girls, this is something I've never had to deal with before. I've done a ton of research on it, but get conflicting answers, so I'm asking all of you what you think.

I'm currently at 116.4 lbs. A long, LONG time ago, I picked my "Goal Weight" to be 115, because it was within the healthy weight range for my height/size, and once I hit it, I'd have lost 45 lbs (not 44, not 46, a nice happy number.)

My dilemma is that I don't know if I should try to STOP losing weight once I hit 115 and increase my calorie intake so I don't lose any more, or if I should just keep eating the way I am and see what happens. I get anywhere from 1300-2000 calories a day, depending on how hungry I am. I'm eating healthy foods, I just only eat when I get hungry. Still getting all my veggies, water, etc.

I've read in quite a few places that when your body is done losing weight, it'll stop where it's happy as long as you're eating right. I just don't want to lose TOO much weight. Does that make sense?

What do you all think?

Lisa

Hmmmm.....this is an interesting question. I'll be curious to see what the responses are. I haven't done any research myself and I'm intrigued to think that your body will "know" when to stop losing. I had picked my goal to be 135 and I've now gone under that by 5 pounds. In my mind I have a "window" of weight that I will be happy at-- between 130-135 and I'm comfortable with that. However, I've continued to eat healthy and to exercise (with an occasional splurge) and I am still very slowly losing weight. I am hesitant to increase my calories because I don't want to put weight on, however, I am already having trouble finding clothes small enough in some stores (sure never thought I'd have that problem!).

Maintenance is a tricky slope. I think you have to experiment some and see what happens. For your height, 115 sounds quite thin and I wouldn't think you would want to go below that. I know that for myself (and perhaps you?), it is hard to see the new you realistically. Others think that I am quite thin now and I still see my flab and faults. So annoying!

By the way, I didn't do SBD. I did WW so my experiences may be slightly different.

Michele, I do the WW/SBD Ph2 combo, kind of like a variation of WW's Core Plan. I've just read in places that when your body reaches a certain point, it won't lose weight anymore. For my height and bone size, 104-125 is the healthy weight range. My fear, also, is that if I increase my calorie-intake intentionally, I will put weight on.

Plus, I don't want to get back into the habit of eating when I'm not hungry, as I have FINALLY been able to train myself to only eat when I'm truly hungry over the last month. That was one of the hardest things for me to overcome over the last 4 years. I was an emotional eater, and I also ate because of the love of the taste of food. It's why I've been dubbed Tom's "little moosie," and why his family is amazed that I "eat like a man."

What to do, what to do?

weezle, I started to type out a response, then realized, I have no idea what I'm talking about, having never been in that position myself. I wouldn't want to start eating when I'm not hungry, and I'd like to believe that your body will know where it needs to be, but . Could you figure it out by the time I get there though? Good luck!

I'll try to have it pinpointed when you get here, Schmoodle. Thanks!

I've been trying to figure that out for a couple of months. Of course now I've about stopped so this may be it

I'm not eating when I'm not hungry but I am eating more calories - a few more nuts, lf cheese a little more often, Larabars as mid-morning snacks. It's easy to get 200 - 300 extra calories in without going off plan or eating when I'm not hungry.

I think if you are eating enough healthy food than it shouldn't be a problem and your body will settle. I've found it does slow down eventually once you start adding more in.

I'm skeptical ... but like schmoodle said, it's not any place I've ever been.

I know I can eat "right" - i.e. healthy foods in reasonable amounts, eating only when I'm hungry and stopping when I'm full - and plateau or even gain back a little. And I am nowhere near a good weight for me. I'm still overweight (although no longer obese, thank god).

But this is probably a "we're all different" issue, too. There seem to be a lot of those in weight loss and maintenance.

I guess if you're comfortable, my thoughts would be to do what you're doing and see where your body takes you. If you start to feel that you've lost too much, then reassess.

.

I pretty much eat phase 2 with a special dessert every now and then and I don't think I've lost any more weight (since I don't own a scale and don't care how much I weigh I have no idea) but my clothes seem to fit the same as they did when I stopped trying to lose weight. I think my body is just "happy" where it is. It's been about 5 months now.

Hmmm.... maybe I'll just keep eating when I'm hungry, putting the right foods in my body, and see what happens. I guess I won't technically be "underweight" until I hit the bottom of what the doctor said I should be, which is 104. I really don't see myself getting there, but I guess I just didn't want to do anything to contribute to getting there.

I'm starting to wonder if I'm making any sense.

Great topic. My theory is that when I get to that neighborhood, I'll start transitioning to a more intuitive eating style, albeit with a major focus on nutrition - whole foods, whole grains, produce, low sugar, good fat but necesarily low fat. A good but not intense exercise routine. And see where I settle. I'd like to think I can make adjustments to portions or types of foods without constantly calorie counting. But the fact is, I won't know until I try it. Might not work. And even if it does, it won't prove what will work for someone else.

I also think I have no desire to try to reach a size 4 or even size 6. I think I will be happy at a higher size than a lot of people seem to be happy with. But it's the same thing - I won't know until i get there! But if I can stay happy with a healthy body (not skinny according to Hollywood), it will make maintaining easier.

When my *** is so small that I have to shop in the toddler section.. I'll stop.

Seriously.. I have no idea since I've never been in that position.

Hahaha that's funny Brenda! I'm not looking to get quite that small.....

I've been debating that myself as well. My goal was 122, and I *almost* reached it one day, but mostly linger around 123. But, I've already started eating a little more (I think it's my obsession with those whole wheat and grain pancakes I posted about), and am just seeing where my body settles. I'm also running alot, which has thinned me down (I was 124 in college, but I'm actually smaller now than then).

I am just ready to move on to not being so picky about what I'm eating (like...there was a small amount of bread crumbs on my scallops tonight...but not much...so I left them). I'm fairly comfortable where I'm at, although I'm hoping to lose a touch more (which may not necessarily mean a lower weight with all the running) so I fit comfortably in one size (I try on mostly size 4's now (!!???!!!) instead of in-between.

I'm probably not making sense either, huh?

How long did it take you to lose your last pound?

If it took a few weeks then maybe your body will settle soon.

You look great, btw. Congratulations!

Lisa I struggled with this at first, I reached my goal and then for some reason didn't stop, at my low I hit 107 and knew it was just to low for me. Trust your judgement and your body. I didn't stay at 107 long, I think my body finally said uh, NO! It wasn't that I was trying, I just didn't have it figured out yet and was scared to venture out from where I had been. Gosh what happened to those days???? I am currently hovering around 115 now where my average was 112 for several months. (yes the ticker is off, sssshhh)

Don't think I have really been of much help here, sorry.