Is it Possible to "Cheat" While on Maintenance?

I'll give you the short answer: yes. It totally is.

So I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I haven't because I've made a couple concessions along the way and here is what I'm learning.

1. The suggestions are still in there and still doing their jobs. I know this because of how I react when I realize that I've let a food back in that could unravel everything.

2. The examples of this have been few but the alarms have gone off immediately. The first issue I discovered was with chips. I stupidly allowed myself, several times, to have some potato chips or Fritos - and by "some" I mean I had three potato chips and I had five Fritos each time it happened (and that was a total of 4 times combined). Yes, I counted them.

It was obvious, though, that I had to start saying no to these things again. Why? Because I realized that I was beginning to develop a "need" for them again - one that "completed" my meal. The second time I had potato chips I also realized that I wasn't eating because I was hungry, I was eating because I wanted potato chips so I was building up a protein foundation to accommodate the carbs.

So the potato chips are out. Again. Ditto the Fritos because, well, they're an accomplice. An accessory after the fact.

The thing is, it doesn't bother me. The suggestions are still in there and saying no is just second nature.

3. The other thing I've had to be careful of is portioning. The first time I had carbs at the Chinese buffet it was less than a quarter cup of soba noodles and two pieces of Maki roll. That quickly increased to four pieces and a wonton.

Now, at four pieces of Maki roll and a wonton I'm probably still not taking in too many carbs, but I did manage to double the amount of carb I was eating in one meal and it only took two weeks (not even) to get comfortable with the idea. So now we're back to keeping a close eye on those things, not making bargains or excuses, and just eating them in amounts I don't have to question myself over.

Again, I'm not finding it difficult.

Maintenance is going to be a much more complicated process than being in the river but if you're getting close to being where I am, learn from the little mistakes I'm making and realize how easy it is to slip back into old habits.