Maintaining

There was a forum question on Calorie Count about how people maintain and this is what I came up with so far.

Maintenance tips that work for me:

- Don't go back to the soda and crap that got me there in the first place.  Eating more for maintenance is fine but it's not a pass to eat crap all the time.

- If I'm going to indulge in crap food from time to time (once every couple of weeks or so) at least make it GOOD crap food.  Get a really good piece of cheesecake from the specialty bakery once a month and don't waste those calories on the crappy piece of cheesecake in the frozen food section that isn't going to satisfy the craving.  If it's not good for me anyway then if I don't LOVE it, I don't eat it.

- Keep track of myself.  Maybe that means weigh in at least once a month.  It could also be keeping measurements and watching for upwards numbers, or maybe it's making sure that tight pair of jeans doesn't get too tight to wear.  All of these things can work, so pick what works for you.

- Find an exercise routine you can maintain.  I cannot do P90X every day so I won't commit to that as my exercise.  For some people it works (and I'm jealous) but not me.  What does work for me is Zumba and hiking.  Lots and lots of hiking because for me that's fun.  If it's a pain in your ass then eventually you will quit doing it so find something you won't quit.