Definition of weight maintenance:

[ConnieK..]

Hi everyone,

While researching a few things online I came across several peer reviewed and medical articles quoting the definition of weight maintenance as a ± 3.0 % of base weight (some even going so far as 5%). I am comfortable being around 64 kilos ( halfway between refeed start and refeed lowest ) so for me thats ± 1.9kg's

So for me that is between : 62.1 and 65.9kg - which I have been doing since finishing refeed,today I sit on exactly 64.0. Even when I panicked my heaviest was 65.8 - still within the range of maintenance, not yet into the " run around with your hair on fire screaming the sky is falling ... the sky is falling ...." although that's what I was close to doing..... time to step back and re-examine the big picture!

I know we must all come to our own realisation of what we need to do/be/maintain to be happy. But as with the plan I think sometimes the trees get in the way of the forest. So I thought I would post this here for a quick definition of maintenance. It is unrealistic to think that you will see the exact same weight every day on the scales and looking for a number inside a range is a better way to manage yourself.

Have a great day

Connie

[Soon2BSlim]

Great post Connie!

Perhaps that's also why we are given a "weight range" by Dr Cohen rather than just a number we have to try and stick to. It certainly helps deal with the fear of failure if we don't manage to stick to the magic number. If we realise there will be a little fluctuation and it's still within our set range we're doing well.

Louise

[shell]

Good on you Connie,

That should stop a lot of people stressing out so much when they hit maintenance! (me & you included )

Important and valuable information.
Shell

[Butterfly_girl]

Really glad you posted that Connie! I had been thinking that 'I need to pick a number' and stick to that, but you're right it is unrealistic. Thanks hon.

[ConnieK..]

just a reminder of what "maintenance" actually is .....

[Shanara]

Hi Connie,

Great post and really relevant.

I have become concerned about a growing trend on this forum to see very small fluctuations as a catastrophe. To be in a 'state' over a + gain of a few hundred grams or ecstatic over - a few hundred grams is bordering on obsessional.

Self observation in maintenance is a wonderful state to be in and helps to gain understanding and awareness. Where it can go awry is the judgement that can come in after that. The judgement is what derails us and, in my opinion, can lead to binging and purging and other weight mental health disorders.

Now I also notice that some are using water to 'purge' the weight. Folks 2 to 3 litres of water a day is healthy. 5 is not unless there is a medical reason for it. If there is a medical reason then the minerals and tissue salts have to be replaced.

Please can we have moderation on the forum not this trend of severe judgement and trying to loose small amounts of weight all the time.

Relax - enjoy life - and listen to your body - not your head. if you can't do that then, please, go and see a professional who can help you sort out your head.

Dr Cohen has given the guidelines to keep our weight fairly stable, within reason. Of course our bodies are going to fluctuate as we go about our daily lives. There are many things that impact on weight. If we are aware about what goes in our mouths we can listen to our body.

Shanara

[carrieanne_c]

I know I obsess a little about my safety zone, I am going to work on that.

[Tantravaya]

It depends on the person.

I have weighed myself daily for many years. I do it automatically just like brushing my teeth. I don't do it obsessively I do it habitually as I am keenly observant of my health and well being. Pre Cohens my weight simply didn't budge outside 74kg. 90% of the time is was 74.5 every morning when I weighed myself. In maintenance it sits between 56.6 and 56.8.

If that's the way I am, any wider fluctuation is telling me something is edging out of balance. Any wider shift alerts me to more closely observe what I am consuming and how it is affecting me. Perhaps it's the average person that can have a 3% or 5% variable but then there really isn't an average person. We are all unique and the key is to know what our own platform is rather than take someone else's word that XyZ is the norm.

[ConnieK..]

Tantravaya,

I understand what you are saying, but I think in this case you would definately be the luckiest person I know. I agree if your body remains constant at the exact weight it is every day and suddenly changes it is a sign of something amiss, But if it usually fluctuates then a fluctuation of up to 3 - 5% can be taken as a hormonal/water/diet variation.

It is not unusual for women in their fertile years to fluctuate by up to 3kg at that time of the month even. And you yourself said in another thread

At certain times and places I have put on 5 kg over a weekend without changing what I eat

I am sure that others may also sit exactly at their weight, but as someone who has maintained for 18 months I can honestly say a variation of 200-300 grams happens for me most days ... and at TOM I gain up to 2kg overnight. Like tantravaya says ..

We are all unique and the key is to know what our own platform is rather than take someone else's word that XyZ is the norm

Know your own body... just don't get obsessive over hormonal fluctuations.

Connie

[carrieanne_c]

i've gained 2k on the weekends before.

[Alibaba]

Me too............ Before Cohens I could have easily gained 2kg at one single meal, like a barbeque having snacks, 2 glasses of wine, food and perhaps dessert as well. The rest of the weekend I ate "normally". Ho do you explain that? It normally took met about 2 weeks to get ir off. Also, one of my friends are so obsessed if she gaines say 1-2kg over a long weekend away, she just eats nothing or an apple for a few days until her weight is normal. She even weights herself just before and after she goes to the gym, when she wakes up in the morning and before bedtime. Ridiculous. I told her she has a problem. She isn't overweight, but like most people would like to loose another 5 kg or so.