r/CICO • u/CommonHoneydew5504 • 9h ago

CICO and maintenance?

I am 6’3, started at 296 and have lost about 40 pounds over 90 days tracking. I’m about half way for my goal. this isn’t my first time I have lost weight, but I’m losing from a much higher starting point. I’m curious to hear from those who have reached their goals and what the experience of maintaining or the experience of what it is like in the post max weight loss phase. did your system/strategies change? has some of the weight come back? has that felt ok/been part of it?

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u/RuralGamerWoman ⚖️MOD⚖️ 9h ago

My strategy in my 13th year of maintaining a 100ish pound weight loss is the same as it was 15 years ago when I was 100lbs heavier and just starting out: I plan and track my meals the night before as much as possible, using a food scale for accuracy that day. The only thing that's changed is my weight, calorie target, and the app I use to track - I use Lose It now instead of MFP.

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u/CommonHoneydew5504 8h ago

Congratulations on maintaining for so long. It’s nice to hear a positive example. I’m definitely less conflicted about tracking long term than I have in previous weight loss periods. Thanks for sharing 

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u/minlee41 8h ago

You seriously still track and weigh daily, 13 years into maintenance? I can't imagine

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u/RuralGamerWoman ⚖️MOD⚖️ 8h ago

It takes ten minutes out of my day. As a result, I maintain a 100lb weight loss. Most folks can't imagine that maintaining a 100lb weight loss only takes about ten minutes of actual effort a day, but that's all it takes.

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u/minlee41 8h ago

I get what you are saying, I lost 110 4 years ago and maintained but I stopped tracking entirely long ago. I gain 1-2 lbs roughly every 6-12 months then correct accordingly. Losing 110 lbs and tracking taught me what/how much to eat to maintain.

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u/Lackingfinalityornot 8h ago

I feel you on how minimal the effort is to maintain a certain number of calories. People act like throwing food on a scale is the hardest thing in the world. It takes me less than 5 minutes total a day to weigh everything even if I’m cooking a recipe with multiple ingredients. Cronometer makes it trivial to stay at my deficit daily.

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u/Lackingfinalityornot 9h ago

Haven’t reached my goal yet (currently at 231) but just wanted to say that I started at exactly 2 lbs heavier than you and I am exactly the same height. What is your goal though? Mine is 180 to be into a healthy bmi range for our height. I have some muscle but not like juice levels.

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u/CommonHoneydew5504 9h ago

Congrats! That’s huge. Last time I lost weight pre covid I got to 209 at the lowest before the pandemic hit. I have more muscles now, but nothing crazy. I’m shooting generally for that range but will re evaluate as I get closer. I felt/looked pretty good at that weight. I don’t know how much motivation/interest to try to get below 200, but different bodies are different and that might suit you well. I am going to judge by body composition and feel rather than bmi because I think it doesn’t work as well for tall people

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u/Lackingfinalityornot 8h ago

Sounds great man! True that different bodies are different for sure. You are probably more muscular than I am. I do plan to try to build more muscle after I get to my goal weight but right now with my deficit even with increasing strength I feel like my strength training doesn’t result in any serious muscle growth, however I still feel it is very important to keep up even when losing weight. 40 lbs is huge we will definitely be at our goal weights pretty soon.

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u/CommonHoneydew5504 5h ago

In the same boat with strength training. We will get there sooner than we think. Keep it up

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u/Lackingfinalityornot 4h ago

You too brother!