Maintaining

A few weeks ago I finally hit 105.2 (105 was my goal.) so I decide to maintain. But it seems like when i eat 1500-1600 I don't maintain 105 but I gain to 106/107. Then I cut back and eat 1000-1300 for a couple days and I'm back to 105. I know this isnt a huge different (2lbs) but I also don't want to gain those 2lbs back for real - as it took forever to lose them.

... It's kinda driving me nuts. I don't know.. I guess I'm just looking for advice. Do I just continue to gain/lose like this or not worry about it and hope that my weight levels out at 105 even while eating 1600? or do I just keep doing what I'm doing? It just makes me feel **** abotu eating when im up 2lbs the next morning and it took months and months to lose those two.

I know what you mean. And I think that's how it is for everyone. You basically just defined maintnence lol. I know, it's completely annoying I tend to go from 128-130. I'm going to be a hypocrite here but, try not to worry about it. You are the only one who sees the 2 pounds anyways. And, what goes on quickly comes off quickly too. It's water weight.

i think most people give themselves 5 pounds wiggle room.

just the weight of water/food/totm/bowels will easily change your weight 2-5 during the day. judge by your measurements if you're feeling paranoid but really 2 pounds is not "real" fat.  it's just a number and obsessing about it won't make it "never change".

ask yourself why is it so important for this number to never change? what does this number represent?  is it worth the stress and worry?
isn't it more important to enjoy life, feel healthy physically and mentally?  what if you exercise and gain muscle?  wouldn't you rather look slimmer than have a lower number on the scale that no one else can see anyway?

they say stress makes you gain weight so use that as a reason to relax your number obsession?

After six months of maintenance I am still having to be very careful what I eat to say within my 5 pound tolerance.  I agree with maiden and cerealaddiction you have to have a tolerance because your body does fluctuate.  Even thought I knew better, the biggest thing for me was finally accepting that I couldn't return to eating like before and that I needed to re-establish my limits. The good news is that as the weeks pass maintenance will get easier.  Don't forget to keep being active. It's important to maitaine your weight and health.

Good Luck.

     

Go with the higher amount of food for several weeks.  If you live on 1000-1300 for any length of time you'll slow your metabolism and that's why 1600 means you gain a little.  In anyone else that would be the amount of food they'd need to lose weight.  Feed yourself at the right level (for an average, reasonably active young woman your weight that's about 1800) but don't panic if you gain 1lb or 2lbs... stick it out and you should rebalance.

Your weight will naturally vary a good 3lbs either way of a mid-point.  Don't let 2lbs upset you.  It's just a number on a scale and making no real difference to your health or appearance.