HELP!! I think I need a diet break, but don't want to lose momentum

Jmgkamp

Okay... So for 6 months I've stuck to 1200. Under MANY times, over (though not including exercise, which I do every day) maybe 5 times (and again, not exceeding even 50-75% of conservative exercise calories).

I'm trapped in a "hungry" cycle. So because I'm afraid I'll eat too many calories I've been adding exercise. And I think this is adding to my hunger!

I don't know what to do. Seriously. I've not had a "will power" issue to date. But today I've eaten 1280 calories and I'm so hungry. I went for a 12 mile bike ride. So I've got some cushion. But I'm just so hungry. It's not TOM, and I am just not happy with this.

I'm 5'2", 42 yo, and I've lost roughly 63 pounds. I'm 27 from MFPs goal and 35 from my own.

Advice???

Nanogg55

Nice job on the weight loss. How about eating at maintenance for a few days if you need a break?

Jmgkamp

Will I gain the dreaded 5 pounds of restored glycogen? I think I might need to do this. This sucks. I was convinced I'd just breeze through to the end!

Asher_Ethan

I would suggest eating at maintenance for 2 weeks just to regain your sanity.

There's a video on here about why you should eat at maintenance for 2 weeks every 2 - 3 months but of course I cant find it*

OsricTheKnight

I allow myself one cheat day a week.

I regularly allow myself to eat what others are eating as long as I can log and still be at a deficit. Heck, yesterday I had almost 500 calories of ice cream.

The important thing, I think, is to take your break with moderation. I find if I eat more for two days, then getting back on track after that is much harder. But the occasional 1-meal indulgence that isn't too excessive can be easily recovered from psychologically and physically, for me.

Osric

Jmgkamp

I'm thinking that sounds like it would be awesome... It's just the scale jump that will be tough.

Nanogg55

If you eat at maintenance level you shouldn't be gaining or losing any weight...

Jmgkamp

I think that initially there's a jump because the depleted glycogen is restored ~ 5 pounds or so. Water weight.

rosammr

It sounds like good advice ( to follow a maintenance plan) it would be better to stay the same weight for a couple of weeks than to give up because you're too hungry. Take a break, allow yourself to have a day off, whatever works best for you, and then carry on. You're doing great!

jdleanna

I don't know, if you're stressing about water weight ("dreaded"?) then you need to take a step back and examine yourself. It's not healthy to get so worked up over temporsry, meaningless water weight. It seems as if you're so tied to the scale numbers you're missing the big health picture.

KateTii

I would be raising your daily allowance. Very few people actually need to do 1200 calories. If you bump it up a little, you will be able to eat a little more as well as some treats and you won't hit the "dieting fatigue" as quick. Take a break at maintenance for a week but set a goal of when to go back to "dieting" so you don't slide back to old habits.

Jmgkamp

I think I've got a handle on the big picture, though my post may be misleading... I mean, I eat popcorn and spike 2 pounds overnight, I add strength training and spike sometimes 4 if my muscles are screaming at me

I'm mainly concerned by the fact that for the first time I seem to be consistently hungrier than normal. It may be part of the deal, I've not experienced it before.

But I agree - big picture is my main concern. I've got a goal to meet... and it's not even a number (though that's easiest to pin down). I want muscle definition in my upper legs, and I'd like to see if I have any abdominal muscles as they've endured 2 c-sections and have been buried under fat for years!!

Jmgkamp

Thanks Katie, that seems to be where I'm settling. I'm going to stick to 1400 for the next 3 days and reevaluate.

Meanwhile, I ate 1280 and my bottomless hunger seems to be gone. I'm meeting a friend for bike ride #2, though purely for fun and at a relaxed pace. If I'm hungry when I get back I've got some greek yogurt and berries in my future

vespiquenn

jdleanna wrote: »

I don't know, if you're stressing about water weight ("dreaded"?) then you need to take a step back and examine yourself. It's not healthy to get so worked up over temporsry, meaningless water weight. It seems as if you're so tied to the scale numbers you're missing the big health picture.

I second this. Water weight is going to happen no matter if you're losing or eating at maintenance. Long term, it's something you're going to have to deal with.

However, in my experience, I have found that eating at maintenance does help my sanity, but I never exceed two or three days because it'll be harder for me to get back on track. Even if I have days that I eat above maintenance on accident, I know it'll come off with a few days of work or that it's water weight. Assuming by your profile picture, you know what you're doing. Take a few days worth of a "break" and know that any weight gained is just water.

jdleanna

Ha. I hear you on the c-sections. Trying to find out the same for me. So then relax about the water weight. You could eat at maintenance for a week to give yourself a break. Or go for slower rate of loss and up your calories in general. You may be hungry simply because you should be eating more. I'm also 5'2, and 42 years old, and I'm losing on 1460 a day.

Jmgkamp

jdleanna wrote: »

Ha. I hear you on the c-sections. Trying to find out the same for me. So then relax about the water weight. You could eat at maintenance for a week to give yourself a break. Or go for slower rate of loss and up your calories in general. You may be hungry simply because you should be eating more. I'm also 5'2, and 42 years old, and I'm losing on 1460 a day.

Well THAT's encouraging for sure! Thanks everyone!

(I so love this board...)