For those of you at goal, when did you switch from OWL to premaintenance? Just curious. I know Dr. A says to switch when you are 5 - 10 pounds from goal.

Well... here's my deal. Originally (when I started LC back in Jan. 2003), my goal was to get to 140. Well... I'm currently at about 148-149 (last week was as low as 146.5), and I'm starting to think that my goal weight should be lower than 140. I am 5'4" tall (or short, depending on how you look at it ). The lowest I've ever weighed (in my adult life) is 120 when I was about 10 years younger than I am now. I'm 37 now and have had a child (who's now 2 1/2 years old), so I don't think 120 is realistic... but not really sure what is. So... how do you know when to switch to pre-maintenance?

My current thought is to get to 140 and then make the switch. I'm thinking that somewhere between 130 and 140 (*maybe* as low as 125, but I doubt it) would be a good goal. So, if I look at it like my goal is 135, then switching over at 140 would make sense, right? Or, should I make the switch when I hit 145?

Thoughts/opinions? Any insight will be much appreciated.

TIA,

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Debby

Debby big congrats on your progress!
I like to to set a goal a little higher than what I think my ideal weight would be. 170 as opposed to 165 (or lower) in my case. In your case maybe 140 opposed to 135 or 130. Then continue on OWL until I hit the 170 mark. At that point I decided to try to get a little lower and continued OWL-ing until I reached 165.
I think it's important to set realistic goals and to hit them. Then re-asses where you are and maybe go for more (less). The problem with setting too low of a goal initially is that sometimes it feels like you'll never get there.
It feels so wonderful to reach that goal weight!! Even if is a little higher than "ideal weight". The feeling of satisfaction attained can really help to re-energize your commitment and even go for more (less).
I think your right on track and your current thought to reach 140 is right on target.
You are getting so close! Great work!
I'm not sure I answered your question on pre-maintenence, but I HTH!

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"Failure is not an option" ~ me


01-03-09 213/213/180
01-11-09 213/205/180
01-18-09 213/204/180
01-25-09 213/201/180
02-07-09 213/200/180
02-15-09 213/198/180
03-01-09 213/197/180
03-08-09 213/195/180
03-22-09 213/194/180
03-29-09 213/193/180
04-06-09 213/194/180
04-13-09 213/193/180
04-20=09 213/192/180

Well done, Debby!

I put off pre-maintenance until I was already at my goal weight, as I found it very difficult to lose those last 5 to 10 lbs. I see-sawed for almost 3 months over those last few lbs. That isn't uncommon, either, IMO.

I'm similar to you in that I'm 5'4". But, I'm in my fifties - and I have a mesomorphic build (muscular, but fairly small boned). Anyway, my original goal was 137. When I got closer to goal, I also wondered if I should set a lower goal weight. Instead, I set a range - 134 to 137.

For months, I had no problem maintaining at 134. But, I slipped up to about 137-138 during the holidays and went on to gain another 3 or 4 lbs in the post holiday letdown. I got back to my goal weight by March, but slipped up again during my May vacation. Alas, I'm still a few lbs over goal weight, but hope to reverse that before the end of August.

Based on my own experience, I'd say to hold off on pre-maintenance - at least until you are within just a few lbs of goal.

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.