Hi Folks!

I'm wondering if I have unrealistic expectations about my maintaining my weight loss.

When I first started Atkins, I didn't lose fast at all - one month I lost 1.5 pounds. I kept with it because it did such wonders for my blood sugar, and eventually I did start seeing the numbers drop faster. Today I weighed 240 - a 95 pound loss in 58 weeks - an average of ~1.5 pounds a week.

Since I've been obese my whole life (I graduated HS at 300+), and never had success with dieting more than 10 lbs. lost, this is new territory for me. I've never had a weight loss to maintain.

My doctor really wants me to stay where I am, practice maintaining this weight for 6-12 months before trying for 220. He says my rate of loss has been too quick for a person with my history - that had I continued to lose 1-2 pounds a month, he would not be concerned. I'm thinking on this - haven't made my choice yet - but I've been examining the underlying question.

Now here is my possible unrealistic expectation: I don't think I'll have a problem keeping this weight off.

There are days when I eat less on purpose, but most of the time - I just eat 'normal' LC. The amount and kinds of food that don't feel at all like I'm trying to lose weight, if that makes sense. LC is now my food of habit; I'm not saying that I don't have to pay attention, but I'm on automatic pilot most of the time about food choices.

Educate me, my friends. Do I have an unrealistic expectation about the ease of maintaining weight loss? Is there anyone in TDC-land out there who has a history similar to mine who by eating non-dieting levels of LC could not maintain?

And if you'd like, tell me what you'd do in my situation.

Thanks everyone!