My maintenance plan

dave374000 · 05-30-2011, 10:19 PM

I am not saying for a second it works for everyone, but it works for me.

On Jan. 1, my height was 6-4 and weight 253.
Today, it's 6-4 and 198 to 204.

This is my maintenance plan. Again, I don't profess for a second it's scientific or will work for everyone.

I have a digital scale in my bedroom. After the morning pee and poo (sorry for the visuals), I do a daily morning weigh in.

If I weigh 203 or higher, it's a no-cheat day. 30 grams of carbs or less that day.

If I weight 201 or lower, it's a cheat day. I have whatever the heck I want to eat that day.

It has worked like a charm. Cheat days keep the weight on, non-cheat days keep it off. And I can scratch an itch a couple of times a week and eat some things I could never eat on non-cheat days.

Once you reach your target goal, give this a try. BUT. Always weigh yourself in the morning after the bathroom trip. NEVER, ever weigh yourself at the end of the day ... that's when you have water weight and what not.

Big_Al · 05-31-2011, 04:15 AM

I do something a bit similar. If my weight is above 175, I really clamp down on the carbs ... back to old VLC levels of 10 grams or less. If I am below 175, I still avoid carbs in general but will let it slide up to 20-30 grams per day ... otherwise I found I couldn't stop losing weight.

Summer is always the trickiest for me as I tend to prefer beer over wine in the evening due to the heat. So I have a motivation to keep my weight low as I can have 2 or 3 MG64 beers in the evening and still stay on my maintain plan

All in all, I have never been a binge eater or obsessed with sweets etc. Basically I am back to the weight I was before I moved to Houston. I just avoid eating out multiple nights a week. So now my wife and I do the date night thing on Saturday where we pick a restaurant and try something new.

ravenrose · 05-31-2011, 12:03 PM

that sounds like a terrific plan for you! good thinking.

I'm sure that by the time people reach goal they have a pretty good idea if something like this would work. if someone really has to work towards the end, restricting calories along with carbs, etc., this is probably not a good idea. but for someone lucky enough to catch their weight problem before their metabolism is really bad, the ones who can lose down to goal just by low carbing, it sounds very sensible! good luck.

dave374000 · 06-01-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Al

Summer is always the trickiest for me as I tend to prefer beer over wine in the evening due to the heat. So I have a motivation to keep my weight low as I can have 2 or 3 MG64 beers in the evening and still stay on my maintain plan

I love my booze, Big Al, so I just substitute whiskey and Coke Zero for beer on non-cheat nights. Like you, when I do drink beer now, it's mostly light beer.

Jonahsafta · 06-03-2011, 09:18 AM

Interested in seeing how the plan works out.

Jonahsafta · 06-09-2011, 08:07 AM

Dave...how is your plan going?

dave374000 · 06-09-2011, 09:30 AM

It's working. My weight right now is 202.6 lbs., but that's no biggie.
I fluctuate between 198 and 204.
On the heavier days (like today), no cheating.
On the lighter ones, 201 or below, I cheat and eat whatever the heck I want.
At 6-4, I probably could go higher if I wanted too, but I really don't want to.

CalRon · 06-10-2011, 06:40 AM

Dave,
You and I have a similar weakness. Mine is Jack Daniels.

I believe most successful maintainers keep a close watch on their weight and react to any adversity. When I go to 172 or 173 I drop the booze until I'm down to 170-171. I always eat what I want, but this doesn't include carbs since I no longer want them.

Jonahsafta · 06-10-2011, 07:02 AM

Good to hear....

dave374000 · 06-10-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalRon

Dave,
You and I have a similar weakness. Mine is Jack Daniels.

I believe most successful maintainers keep a close watch on their weight and react to any adversity. When I go to 172 or 173 I drop the booze until I'm down to 170-171. I always eat what I want, but this doesn't include carbs since I no longer want them.

Every once in a while, I like to scratch an itch ... like eating a bag of potato chips last night after work.
Being strictly no carb 7 days a week wouldn't work for me, because I wouldn't stop losing weight.

CalRon · 06-10-2011, 06:23 PM

I like to come off as perfect, but, of course, I'm not. Tonight We went to happy hour and they have half price drinks and free food. (buffet) So the food was lasagne or fried shrimp. Fruit was also available.

My choice was fried shrimp which turned out to be 55 carbs! That's a months worth of carbs for me

Shake it off.

We do what we do. Results are all we can rely on.

dave374000 · 06-15-2011, 11:28 AM

Weighed 198.0 today.
Guess it's time to have a cheat day (haven't had one since Friday).
I have a feeling my favourite Thai spot is gonna cook me some Singapore Noodles for supper.
I might update this daily as a source of motivation.
What do you guys think of that idea?

Jonahsafta · 06-15-2011, 06:17 PM

Id like to see what happens...it wouldnt work for me..but Id love to see if it works for you.

dave374000 · 06-16-2011, 11:40 AM

200.4 today.
Ate Pad Thai yesterday ... the carbs likely made me retain some water weight.
Also ate about a half-pound of strawberries. Those damn things are addictive.
No cheating today, will stay low carb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonahsafta

Id like to see what happens...it wouldnt work for me..but Id love to see if it works for you.

Everyone's metabolism is different, no doubt.

Big_Al · 06-16-2011, 06:54 PM

Even when I am at the low end of my allowed weight range, I still tend to avoid high carb meals (those with rice, pasta, bread, etc). I just get too nauseous to make it worth it.

My splurge though is beer and perhaps some nuts though

Thank goodness those carbs don't cause me any issues

killerblues · 06-16-2011, 07:00 PM

Great job Dave!

I had surgery on 6/3 and have been up since. I weighed 144 (ish) this morning. That's down from 147 earlier in the week. I think some is just water I've retained since going under the knife. I also think I made really bad food choices while I was off work and in recovery. Nothing I usually eat sounded good, I had a hard time eating anything healthy. Weird.

But now I am considering revamping my goal to 130. I guess the first step is to get back to my original goal of 140

I have maintained 140 for a while now and did have the occasional cheat. I never went overboard until the surgery.

killerblues · 06-17-2011, 10:20 AM

Down to 141 this morning. But I got about 7 inches of hair cut off last night. I better not be too premature about this.

dave374000 · 06-17-2011, 08:56 PM

Forgot to mention. 201.0 today. No big deal. Ate a small bag of Cheetos. LOL.
205 is my limit. 203 or higher = non cheat day.

Jonahsafta · 06-23-2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave374000

Forgot to mention. 201.0 today. No big deal. Ate a small bag of Cheetos. LOL.
205 is my limit. 203 or higher = non cheat day.

Im curious to see how this plan works after a year ....More power to you if this is sustainable for over a year.

dave374000 · 06-23-2011, 07:19 PM

I think it will work, because the scale is a very motivating factor.
And I can eat low carb four or five times a week easily.

Today's weight: 200.4 lbs.
That big burger and onion rings might come back to bite me in the bum though.

Jonahsafta · 07-05-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave374000

I am not saying for a second it works for everyone, but it works for me.

On Jan. 1, my height was 6-4 and weight 253.
Today, it's 6-4 and 198 to 204.

This is my maintenance plan. Again, I don't profess for a second it's scientific or will work for everyone.

I have a digital scale in my bedroom. After the morning pee and poo (sorry for the visuals), I do a daily morning weigh in.

If I weigh 203 or higher, it's a no-cheat day. 30 grams of carbs or less that day.

If I weight 201 or lower, it's a cheat day. I have whatever the heck I want to eat that day.

It has worked like a charm. Cheat days keep the weight on, non-cheat days keep it off. And I can scratch an itch a couple of times a week and eat some things I could never eat on non-cheat days.

Once you reach your target goal, give this a try. BUT. Always weigh yourself in the morning after the bathroom trip. NEVER, ever weigh yourself at the end of the day ... that's when you have water weight and what not.

Its been a little over a month...how is it going????

dave374000 · 07-05-2011, 12:50 PM

Weighed 199.6 lbs. this morning.
The most I weighed during the month was 203.6. The lowest I got was 198.
I have been able to maintain pretty easily. De-junkifying my diet made it easy.

Jonahsafta · 07-05-2011, 05:15 PM

Excellent

dave374000 · 07-05-2011, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonahsafta

Excellent

Thanks.

Jonahsafta · 07-09-2011, 11:38 PM

I will be cheering for you....Ill ask again in Aug...the fact I can t do what you do, does not affect my response....

dave374000 · 07-10-2011, 10:34 AM

Actually hit an all-time low today - 197.8 lbs. I low carbed Saturday, so that was likely a factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonahsafta

I will be cheering for you....Ill ask again in Aug...the fact I can t do what you do, does not affect my response....

Everyone's metabolism is different and judging by these boards, it's harder for women to drop weight than men.

Jonahsafta · 07-10-2011, 01:04 PM

ROFL soo soo true

Allison'sMom · 07-17-2011, 08:58 AM

Wondering how this is going for you? I am considering a similar maintenance plan. I know from recent "cheats" that 1 "cheat" meal will maintain my weight and not cause a gain. But, I have to get back on-plan the next day for sure!

I have 17lbs to goal and I think once I hit goal I can do a "free" meal or even day once a week or so and be able to maintain. I also think that I will be able to feel that I eat "normal" with this plan. LC is WONDERFUL and I LOVE doing it, but would like to be able to go to a restaurant and order what I want every once in a while!

dave374000 · 07-18-2011, 10:14 AM

Still going good. Weighed 201 lbs. this morning. Average between 198-201 most of the week.
On a day like today, I'll low carb, get under 200 then have a cheat day. I haven't gone over 203 for months.

Jonahsafta · 08-08-2011, 08:13 PM

How are you doing this month???

05-30-2011, 10:19 PM	#1
dave374000 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 114 Gallery: dave374000 WOE: Simply low-carb. No simple carbs, except alcohol Start Date: Jan. 2011	My maintenance plan I am not saying for a second it works for everyone, but it works for me. On Jan. 1, my height was 6-4 and weight 253. Today, it's 6-4 and 198 to 204. This is my maintenance plan. Again, I don't profess for a second it's scientific or will work for everyone. I have a digital scale in my bedroom. After the morning pee and poo (sorry for the visuals), I do a daily morning weigh in. If I weigh 203 or higher, it's a no-cheat day. 30 grams of carbs or less that day. If I weight 201 or lower, it's a cheat day. I have whatever the heck I want to eat that day. It has worked like a charm. Cheat days keep the weight on, non-cheat days keep it off. And I can scratch an itch a couple of times a week and eat some things I could never eat on non-cheat days. Once you reach your target goal, give this a try. BUT. Always weigh yourself in the morning after the bathroom trip. NEVER, ever weigh yourself at the end of the day ... that's when you have water weight and what not.

06-16-2011, 07:00 PM	#16
killerblues Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5,077 Gallery: killerblues Stats: 162/148/140 5'9" WOE: atkins (ish) Start Date: a long time ago	Great job Dave! I had surgery on 6/3 and have been up since. I weighed 144 (ish) this morning. That's down from 147 earlier in the week. I think some is just water I've retained since going under the knife. I also think I made really bad food choices while I was off work and in recovery. Nothing I usually eat sounded good, I had a hard time eating anything healthy. Weird. But now I am considering revamping my goal to 130. I guess the first step is to get back to my original goal of 140 I have maintained 140 for a while now and did have the occasional cheat. I never went overboard until the surgery. __________________ If you want peace, work for justice.

06-17-2011, 08:56 PM	#18
dave374000 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 114 Gallery: dave374000 WOE: Simply low-carb. No simple carbs, except alcohol Start Date: Jan. 2011	Forgot to mention. 201.0 today. No big deal. Ate a small bag of Cheetos. LOL. 205 is my limit. 203 or higher = non cheat day. Last edited by dave374000; 06-17-2011 at 08:58 PM..

07-17-2011, 08:58 AM	#28
Allison'sMom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 823 Gallery: Allison'sMom Stats: 287/160/160 WOE: Low-Carb/Figuring out maintenance Start Date: 1/17/2011	Wondering how this is going for you? I am considering a similar maintenance plan. I know from recent "cheats" that 1 "cheat" meal will maintain my weight and not cause a gain. But, I have to get back on-plan the next day for sure! I have 17lbs to goal and I think once I hit goal I can do a "free" meal or even day once a week or so and be able to maintain. I also think that I will be able to feel that I eat "normal" with this plan. LC is WONDERFUL and I LOVE doing it, but would like to be able to go to a restaurant and order what I want every once in a while! __________________ Michelle Started LC at 237lbs! I lost 50lbs in 10 months before LC! Mini Goal - Onderland - DONE 5/1/11 Final Goal - 160 - 10/27/11

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05-31-2011, 04:15 AM	#2
Big_Al Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 511 Gallery: Big_Al Stats: Need to return to goal weight! 190 / 186 / 180 WOE: VLC (<15g per day) Start Date: April 2010	I do something a bit similar. If my weight is above 175, I really clamp down on the carbs ... back to old VLC levels of 10 grams or less. If I am below 175, I still avoid carbs in general but will let it slide up to 20-30 grams per day ... otherwise I found I couldn't stop losing weight. Summer is always the trickiest for me as I tend to prefer beer over wine in the evening due to the heat. So I have a motivation to keep my weight low as I can have 2 or 3 MG64 beers in the evening and still stay on my maintain plan All in all, I have never been a binge eater or obsessed with sweets etc. Basically I am back to the weight I was before I moved to Houston. I just avoid eating out multiple nights a week. So now my wife and I do the date night thing on Saturday where we pick a restaurant and try something new.

05-31-2011, 12:03 PM	#3
ravenrose . Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 9,080 Gallery: ravenrose Stats: lost 130 lb so far, and miles to go before I sleep WOE: low carb controlled calorie Start Date: June, 2009	that sounds like a terrific plan for you! good thinking. I'm sure that by the time people reach goal they have a pretty good idea if something like this would work. if someone really has to work towards the end, restricting calories along with carbs, etc., this is probably not a good idea. but for someone lucky enough to catch their weight problem before their metabolism is really bad, the ones who can lose down to goal just by low carbing, it sounds very sensible! good luck.

06-03-2011, 09:18 AM	#5
Jonahsafta Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LV Posts: 2,432 Gallery: Jonahsafta Stats: 165/157.8/153 WOE: Atkins Start Date: orig. 1995 @248#	Interested in seeing how the plan works out.

06-09-2011, 08:07 AM	#6
Jonahsafta Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LV Posts: 2,432 Gallery: Jonahsafta Stats: 165/157.8/153 WOE: Atkins Start Date: orig. 1995 @248#	Dave...how is your plan going?

06-09-2011, 09:30 AM	#7
dave374000 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 114 Gallery: dave374000 WOE: Simply low-carb. No simple carbs, except alcohol Start Date: Jan. 2011	It's working. My weight right now is 202.6 lbs., but that's no biggie. I fluctuate between 198 and 204. On the heavier days (like today), no cheating. On the lighter ones, 201 or below, I cheat and eat whatever the heck I want. At 6-4, I probably could go higher if I wanted too, but I really don't want to.

06-10-2011, 06:40 AM	#8
CalRon Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 486 Gallery: CalRon Stats: 240/173/182 6'2" WOE: VLC Start Date: 2/14/10	Dave, You and I have a similar weakness. Mine is Jack Daniels. I believe most successful maintainers keep a close watch on their weight and react to any adversity. When I go to 172 or 173 I drop the booze until I'm down to 170-171. I always eat what I want, but this doesn't include carbs since I no longer want them.

06-10-2011, 07:02 AM	#9
Jonahsafta Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LV Posts: 2,432 Gallery: Jonahsafta Stats: 165/157.8/153 WOE: Atkins Start Date: orig. 1995 @248#	Good to hear....

06-10-2011, 06:23 PM	#11
CalRon Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 486 Gallery: CalRon Stats: 240/173/182 6'2" WOE: VLC Start Date: 2/14/10	I like to come off as perfect, but, of course, I'm not. Tonight We went to happy hour and they have half price drinks and free food. (buffet) So the food was lasagne or fried shrimp. Fruit was also available. My choice was fried shrimp which turned out to be 55 carbs! That's a months worth of carbs for me Shake it off. We do what we do. Results are all we can rely on.

06-15-2011, 11:28 AM	#12
dave374000 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 114 Gallery: dave374000 WOE: Simply low-carb. No simple carbs, except alcohol Start Date: Jan. 2011	Weighed 198.0 today. Guess it's time to have a cheat day (haven't had one since Friday). I have a feeling my favourite Thai spot is gonna cook me some Singapore Noodles for supper. I might update this daily as a source of motivation. What do you guys think of that idea?

06-15-2011, 06:17 PM	#13
Jonahsafta Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LV Posts: 2,432 Gallery: Jonahsafta Stats: 165/157.8/153 WOE: Atkins Start Date: orig. 1995 @248#	Id like to see what happens...it wouldnt work for me..but Id love to see if it works for you.

06-16-2011, 06:54 PM	#15
Big_Al Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 511 Gallery: Big_Al Stats: Need to return to goal weight! 190 / 186 / 180 WOE: VLC (<15g per day) Start Date: April 2010	Even when I am at the low end of my allowed weight range, I still tend to avoid high carb meals (those with rice, pasta, bread, etc). I just get too nauseous to make it worth it. My splurge though is beer and perhaps some nuts though Thank goodness those carbs don't cause me any issues

06-17-2011, 10:20 AM	#17
killerblues Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5,077 Gallery: killerblues Stats: 162/148/140 5'9" WOE: atkins (ish) Start Date: a long time ago	Down to 141 this morning. But I got about 7 inches of hair cut off last night. I better not be too premature about this.

06-23-2011, 07:19 PM	#20
dave374000 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 114 Gallery: dave374000 WOE: Simply low-carb. No simple carbs, except alcohol Start Date: Jan. 2011	I think it will work, because the scale is a very motivating factor. And I can eat low carb four or five times a week easily. Today's weight: 200.4 lbs. That big burger and onion rings might come back to bite me in the bum though.

07-05-2011, 12:50 PM	#22
dave374000 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 114 Gallery: dave374000 WOE: Simply low-carb. No simple carbs, except alcohol Start Date: Jan. 2011	Weighed 199.6 lbs. this morning. The most I weighed during the month was 203.6. The lowest I got was 198. I have been able to maintain pretty easily. De-junkifying my diet made it easy.

07-05-2011, 05:15 PM	#23
Jonahsafta Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LV Posts: 2,432 Gallery: Jonahsafta Stats: 165/157.8/153 WOE: Atkins Start Date: orig. 1995 @248#	Excellent

07-09-2011, 11:38 PM	#25
Jonahsafta Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LV Posts: 2,432 Gallery: Jonahsafta Stats: 165/157.8/153 WOE: Atkins Start Date: orig. 1995 @248#	I will be cheering for you....Ill ask again in Aug...the fact I can t do what you do, does not affect my response....

07-10-2011, 01:04 PM	#27
Jonahsafta Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LV Posts: 2,432 Gallery: Jonahsafta Stats: 165/157.8/153 WOE: Atkins Start Date: orig. 1995 @248#	ROFL soo soo true

07-18-2011, 10:14 AM	#29
dave374000 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 114 Gallery: dave374000 WOE: Simply low-carb. No simple carbs, except alcohol Start Date: Jan. 2011	Still going good. Weighed 201 lbs. this morning. Average between 198-201 most of the week. On a day like today, I'll low carb, get under 200 then have a cheat day. I haven't gone over 203 for months.

08-08-2011, 08:13 PM	#30
Jonahsafta Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LV Posts: 2,432 Gallery: Jonahsafta Stats: 165/157.8/153 WOE: Atkins Start Date: orig. 1995 @248#	How are you doing this month???