Within 5 lbs of goal weight, activity level question

vmsolko

I've been using MFP for over a year now and am getting close to my end goal weight. I've stalled a bit recently. I still log daily but am not as strict about not going over my calorie goal for the day. I'm still motivated, working out 5 days a week (except for the last week of being sick - for anyone creeping my diary), setting new goals, and I try to stay relatively close to my daily calorie goals. But I give myself days off, like on my vacation in March and over my anniversary trip weekend. So I am obviously not perfect.

My question is, should I adjust my weight loss goal?
I've had it set to lose 1.5 lbs/week for the past 10 months or so. I don't feel overly restricted eating at my current calorie goal (1510 calories a day) but I also haven't been losing more than a pound a month lately either - which I am not overly upset about. I've been reading lots of places that they recommend you set your goal for 0.5 lb per 25 lbs of weight to lose. I am within 5 lbs of a healthy BMI right now, but upping my calories that much makes me nervous. Thoughts?

macgurlnet

What calorie number does MFP give you when you recalculate your goals for a 1lb loss per week and/or 0.5 lb loss per week?

What's your height and current weight?

~Lyssa

vmsolko

1 lb/week = 1,760 calories
0.5 lb/week = 2,010 calories

I'm 5'10' and weigh 180 lbs.

20yearsyounger

it really all depends on what you want. I am around 5' 10" as well but I started back MFP at 180. I maintain 155 (I am a 40 year old male) at 2100 so upping your calories may not make much of a difference.

vmsolko

My goal is to get to 175 lbs and maintain from there. I'm not opposed to losing more than that, but I'd rather focus on learning how to maintain my weight at that point.

20yearsyounger

I wouldnt eat under 1600, but what you can choose what ever you want above that and the calories you need to maintain 175.

DeguelloTex

It sounds like that at this point the goal is more of a suggestion, so the goal you pick probably matters a lot less than your intention of sticking to it.

Sued0nim

I set my goal at 165 and lost another 5lbs trying to establish my maintenance calories ...I now fluctuate within 5lbs or so of 160Lbs

I would suggest going to a lower cut of 250 calories aiming for 0.5lbs per week so that the jump to perceived maintenance is lower ...really that kind of diet isn't a million miles away from where you will end up eating for life

allyphoe

I set my MFP target calories at close to maintenance, even though my actual average consumption is lower than that. Keeps me from having to fiddle with it as I intentionally slow down my loss. But I don't see that target as a goal, but as information.