Maintenance? Lifetime?

[melsullivan]

As a WW@Home BCB, I don't have the WW materials and since I am getting close to goal (I am grinning just typing those words!) I thought I would ask my more informed buddies about this - What exactly is the difference between maintenance and lifetime? How many points am I allowed to add to my day when I reach goal? Is there any flexibility as to what exactly is "maintaining"? (Ie if I'm up 0.5lbs one week and back down the next, is that still considered maintaining?)

I've also cross-posted this on the "Few To Lose" board as well, so if no-one replies here and you have the same questions, check there!

Cheers and thanks in advance for all your answers! graemlins/wave.gif

[calgal]

Maintenance is the 6 weeks after you hit your goal. If you stay at goal (see below) for 6 weeks, you make lifetime.

Being "at goal" for maintenance and lifetime purposes means being no more than 2 pounds above your goal weight (they know people fluctuate).

WW suggests that you add back 4 points per day while on maintenance. Many people initially gain with that, and freak out. I started by adding 2 points per day, and if I still lost, adding another point at a time. Gradually, you'll find what works for you.

Congratulations on closing in on goal!

[nancyny]

Hi, you have good info. so far. Maintenance is not a license to go back to your old eating habits, it is pretty much like losing except you get to eat more. How much more is up to you - you have to learn how your body responds. Your weight will vary, usually in a small range.

On maintenance you add 4 points to the bottom and top of your range the first week. Yes some people gain doing that but a lot of people continue to lose!! Then you add or subtract 2 points each week depending on what happened with your weight. You will do that for quite a while until you find your maintenance range, and while your body adjusts to eating more. My range is around 10 points above my losing range. Any time your weight goes up too much, you go back to your losing points range until it comes off. So you won't have a set points range any more - you will always be adjusting.

After 6 weeks on Maintenance you become a Lifetime member. I don't know if @Home members can do that, but for regular members it means you don't have to pay to attend meetings as long as you weigh in once a month at 2 lb. over goal or lower, and you never have to pay the "joining" fee again no matter what your weight, and you don't pay for missed meetings. You pay the weekly fee if you are over goal or you miss a monthly WI.

[amyinnj]

I'm just starting my 3rd week of maintenance. My leader told me to add 4 points to my range. The first week, I lost .4 so she told me to add 1 more point per day. The second week, I gained .4. So now I just need to find the right balance. Maybe I only need that extra point per day half the week.

Although the program has 6 weeks of maintenance before reaching lifetime status, you're actually maintaining for lifetime!

Good Luck,

Amy

[Frauzee]

You have the information about the differences between the two. Now, let me encourage you to keep attending your meetings for at least a year after you hit LIFETIME. We all need to go through all the seasons and their challenges under some "supervision". Besides, when you are LIFETIME and stay within 2 pounds of goal, you are FREE!!!!