What are your Early Warning Signs?

Thanks, everyone for the great info. I am in my second maintenance challenge. it isn't so much that I am trying to stay within that +/-3% range right now as much as i just don't want to go above that range. I think my weight hasn't quite "settled" completely as i am still losing albeit at a much slower rate than when I was trying. i wouldn't mind losing another 7 pounds but that is just vanity. I feel great at the weight I am now and have tried adding in more calories but too often the "added" calories over what I was eating for weight loss was less nutritional filler so I stopped doing that. I expect I will be measuring and weighing my food forever. Eyeballing portions just doesn't work for me.

SUSEE Congrats on weightloss and weeks of maintenance!

What are early warning signs that alert you that you may be getting off track?
-Going back to indulgent foods and slipping in a little extra indulgences.

At what point does a small weight gain become a concern?
-an extra 5 pounds consistent for a couple of weeks means I’m off track! I have gone as far off as a 20lb regain! Yikes! I’ve tinkered around at different plateaus and lowered goals over the years and haven’t quite found a sweet spot with minimal effort. (Pout face) I suppose that’s everyone’s dream come true. As you can see here and from other Sparkers, maintenance takes commitment, diligence and persistence. But, it is possible! Congrats to all wonderful, wise commenters and members of this team!

Are there other things besides your clothes fitting more snugly that cause you to refocus or make necessary changes?
The scale is my first guide as I weigh regularly (sometimes daily sometimes weekly), then the fit of my clothes, and of course I look and feel better physically and mentally when I eat healthy food and move.

Best wishes to all! Keep Sparking!

Maintaining is a different animal except I do the same things I did when I was in the losing stage. I started Spark people July 5th 2008. I took the stance that I knew nothing and the coaches know everything! I followed their advice from the get-go. I still weigh and measure my food and drink probably 75-80% of the time. My biggest trigger food is high fat content foods. When I have them I have to be very aware of how much I eat and how it makes me want to continue eating that particular food! BEWARE!!

To help me stay on track I have joined the maintenance challenges. I try to stay within 3% +/- of a self determined Center Weight. This has been the biggest help for me. I weigh every day and the weight fluctuations do not bother me. I realize that is not for everyone though.

I weighed 325 lbs when I began and now weigh 145. I would like to weigh 139 lbs but my body seems to say no weigh!!!! I am happy with my weight and enjoy being able to do things I couldn't do in 2008! Good luck but if there is one thing you get from this long answer is the maintenance challenges! The are a HUGE help!

My biggest red flag is my clothes getting tight. I feel good, energized and happy when I am on track. If I start to feel sluggish, in a bad mood, or tired, I analyze what I have been eating and make adjustments if necessary.

I started SP in 2011, 12/28/12 I reached my goal. I had gone from 258 pounds to 126 pounds. In 2016 I had a knee replacement and gained 20+ pounds and lost that. Then last year my life crashed around me with a life changing development. I gained 40+ back and now have 8.6 pounds to lose. It is never a smooth journey. I find maintaining my weight much more difficult than losing the weight in the first place.

I am new to maintenance--going on 16 weeks since I reached my goal weight. I regained all my lost weight and then some once before and swore that would never happen again.
I am working to change my mindset from weight loss to maintenance and I think it is going well as I have developed healthy habits that are now a lifestyle.

So, here's my question....What are early warning signs that alert you that you may be getting off track? At what point does a small weight gain become a concern? Are there other things besides your clothes fitting more snugly that cause you to refocus or make necessary changes?