How to find motivation to go from maintenance to deficit

bendyourkneekatie

I'm closing in on a year of maintenance and for about 6 months I've been trying to talk myself back into a (small) deficit so I can lose just a couple more kgs. I just can't seem to do it. I guess it's probably like starting out and I need to just bite the bullet and force myself. I'm just wondering if anyone else has been in a similar position and found it difficult to get back on the deficit wagon. And if you overcame it, any special advice?

tamaraworrall

When you are ready you will be able to do it you need to want to do it enough though.
I'm in maintenance and have put on a bit recently but I'm OK with it because I know why.
I also know that if I want to really lose it again then I know what to do and honestly I don't want to go back to how strict I was.
Who knows in the future I may change my mind

sijomial

You don't have to restrict daily - especially with a small amount of weight to lose.
Why not regard it as c. 15000 calories you can chip away at?
As long as your other days are at maintenance any progress is progress.

Personally I find days where I do steady state or moderate intensity cardio very easy to under eat (dip under TDEE) and can be under by 500 cals without feeling hungry. Thirty days like that spread out over an extended period and you are there.....

If there's days you simply aren't very hungry then that can be a deficit day.

One way I nibble away a few pounds is simply skipping snacks or breakfast (or just substituting lower cal options).
I find that painless compared to everyday restriction.

Sued0nim

sijomial wrote: »

You don't have to restrict daily - especially with a small amount of weight to lose.
Why not regard it as c. 15000 calories you can chip away at?
As long as your other days are at maintenance any progress is progress.

Personally I find days where I do steady state or moderate intensity cardio very easy to under eat (dip under TDEE) and can be under by 500 cals without feeling hungry. Thirty days like that spread out over an extended period and you are there.....

If there's days you simply aren't very hungry then that can be a deficit day.

One way I nibble away a few pounds is simply skipping snacks or breakfast (or just substituting lower cal options).
I find that painless compared to everyday restriction.

Light dawns

I've been failing on this recently and this post has struck home

The reason I'm failing is my maintenance is habitual ..I'm eating because I eat then..just had breakfast cos ...and I'm conscious of eating stuff just cos ..not in relation to real desire or need

Yeah I need to analyse my habits again ..my habits are failing me