On a Weight-Loss Rollercoaster

Extrani
Extrani Posts: 4
in Health and Weight Loss
Okay so here's the deal.

About a year and a half ago, I was tipping the scales at 165+.

After joining MFP, I was able to drop down to 131 after a year, great improvement, right?

During this whole period of time, I had eaten 1200 calories a day and worked out every other day.

Once I was happy at my 131, I decided on eating at my maintnence calories of 1650.

I do admit that, with the growing pressures of school, I ditched the gym and went on bike-rides every other day.

Suddenly, over these past 2 months, my weight went from 131 to...wait for it...141!

I am 16, 5' 7", I am a very healthy eater, vegetarian, and about 40-50% of my intake is protein daily.

Honestly, I am so tired of being on this rollercoaster and I just want to be back down to the weight I was honestly happy at. (131)

Any suggestions? :(

Replies

  • rajendra82
    rajendra82 Posts: 20
    Everything I have been reading, suggests that even at your lower weight, the effects of obesity, and the calorie reduction you took to get to your weight linger on. Your body has a memory of what weight you once were, and thinks you just went through a period of famine, and is trying to restore balance back. The number of fat cells in your body never went down, they just shrank in size, and they are sending chemical signals to be refilled again. Your metabolism adapted to a low calorie intake of 1200 calories a day, and thinks 1650 calories a day is extra energy to be stored. As a result, you at 131 lb cannot eat the same as another 131 lb person that has never been heavier. You have to learn to reset your metabolism very slowly back to normal, not eating maintenance the day you hit the goal. You have to keep logging everything after you reach your goal, just the same as if your were trying to lose weight, you just have a bit bigger budget to work with.

    Since your are now trying to lose 10 lb, take a very modest deficit from your 1650 calories a day diet. Since you gained 10 lb in 6 months eating this amount, your maintenance metabolism is currently at 1450 calories per day. Eat 1300 calories a day,and you will slowly get down to your goal weight, without your body freaking out about the energy reduction being too high. Then eat 1350 for a month, then 1400,and then 1450, and so on till your weight stays stable on whatever your metabolism resets itself at.

Categories