Hey there. One of the most important things to think about when it comes to long-term success with weight loss is how you're going to manage maintenance. For a lot of people, getting to a goal weight is the focus, but what happens after that? What does life look like when you're not actively trying to lose weight anymore?
I want to talk about something that came up in a recent comment. Someone shared their approach to maintenance and said they’re using a five-pound buffer range. Not only did they share the number, but they also laid out the why behind it. That context matters so much. A five-pound range might sound small, but when it’s based on your lived experience, your preferences, and your patterns, it can be just what you need.
This is why I always tell people not to think in absolutes. What works for you might be different than what works for someone else. You may even find that what worked for you six months ago doesn’t work today. That’s not failure. That’s life. If your buffer range ever starts to feel too strict, it’s okay to adjust. The goal is to build something flexible that supports you, not something that adds stress.
I’ve been in the fitness space for over 20 years, and I’ve seen too many people lock into rigid rules in maintenance and end up frustrated. Maintenance is about learning to live your life with consistency and flexibility. It’s not about staying at one exact number forever. It’s about trusting yourself and adjusting as needed.
So if you’re figuring out what maintenance looks like for you, look at your own history. What’s worked in the past? What didn’t? And how can you create a range that feels doable and not overwhelming?
If you're still working toward your goal, this mindset will help you down the line. Start thinking now about how you want to live once you reach your goal. Don’t build a process so rigid that you can’t stick with it later.
If you want to dive deeper into this kind of mindset work and habit development, come join me in The YLF Experience. This group coaching program is built around daily actions, flexible planning, and real-life application. Let’s work together on building something that actually works for you.