Need to be accurate to maintain?

ferd_ttp5

In losing weight I try to be more accurate without any tools like food scale and others, I use simple strategies like overestimating, and eye balling portions and on that tricks I'm seeing a good what im expecting results I'm moving on to maintenance should i still be corporated to be accurate always like in losing weight? Thanks

TimothyFish

I did what you did to lose weight. For maintenance, I am even less accurate. I don't log calories eaten, though I sometimes keep a tally in my head. The only thing I am religious about is my weekly weigh in. I use that to tell me whether I need to eat less or more.

sijomial

I wasn't particularly accurate when losing weight, only weighed high calorie density items for example.

May be worthwhile continuing with your current level of accuracy while you pin down your maintenance calories then have a think about what level of detail is sustainable or desirable for you long term. Changing one thing at a time (your calorie allowance) gives more clarity.

I don't log food at all now, I'm just vaguely calorie aware and make sensible choices while monitoring my body weight. If I ever need or want to log I can always go back to it.

adipace815

During "cutting" I did everything humanly possible to accurately record my calories in and out. I was determined to lose the weight without setbacks. I have only been in maintenance for 2 months, but so far I have still logged pretty fairly and accurately. I am still using my food scale and measuring cups, spoons, etc. I have found that I am much less particular about exact amounts so I guess that may make my accuracy a little more relaxed. For example when I make my lunch, I am still weighing my lunch meat for my sandwich. During "cutting", I would tear of shreds of meat in order to get 4 ounces exactly, now if it's 4.1 ounces, I go ahead and throw it on the bread and log 4.1 ounces. Or- instead of weighing my hummus out exactly for my snack, I just make the entire container of hummus last over the number of servings (7 servings it has to last 7 days).

I think this is mostly because I have a few more calories to work with and that makes it easier to go over. But I also feel slightly relaxed since my goals mindset has changed to maintain. I am still losing in maintenance and have gone below my original target by around 15lbs. I think once I truly hit a level weight that I will probably instinctually tighten up once again before I can relax. This is not my first rodeo, and I have lost considerable weight a couple of times now, only to put it back on. This time I have a heightened resolve to make sure I can keep the weight off. I think that means I will always have to do some sort of remotely accurate logging and measuring. It's probably different for all of us, but I think most of the people hanging around the "maintenance" boards realize that our bodies and metabolism will require us to be vigilant for the rest of our lives. Good luck!

NorthCascades

I feel like entering all of my food (and exercise) was a good way to get started. It was a learning experience. What should portion sizes look like? Wow, this is like a home budget, except I'm not going to run out of money and not pay my electric bill and sit in the dark, I'm going to run out of calories and be hungry. What kind of foods are most filling? How will a pint of iced cream affect what I can eat for the rest of the day (if I'm determined to stick to my goal)?

I've been able to lose weight and to maintain that loss without counting, but I've kept all of these lessons in mind.

noorandjenna1

To maintain, I eat when I am hungry or lacking energy, not for boredom. Whether it's snacking or proper meals. i am less accurate than when I was losing weight and I have maintained for 6 months. Even if I eat more one day, it all equals out during the week.

sgt1372

I think that accuracy matters but I'm just wired that way.

krazy1sbk

I put my calorie goal lower than it needs to be because I know I'm not weighing everything or measuring as accurately as I should.

nowine4me

I'd keep doing what you're doing with a tiny handful more calories. But I would suggest a weekly weigh in to make sure it's working.