When to change your weight loss goal

oceandaisies

HI All!
Looking for some advice.
My story is this:

June 1, 2016 weighed 238lbs, height 5'4" and started using mfp and gradually increasing my exercise. Started with a 2lb/week loss and now at 1lb/week loss as 1200 cals/day was not feasible for me. I am set at lightly active as I am an emergency room RN and work 12 hour shifts (I work part time) and also have a small farm that my husband and I do a market garden on. Some days I am less active than others as I have a chronic back injury that flares up from time to time. I have started doing yoga at home and finished the C25K program and run 20-30 minutes about 3 times per week and I walk usually 7500-15000 steps per day. I eat most or all of my exercise calories back (from my samsung gear fit 2) but don't usually add in things I consider regular exercise unless a significant amount is done (i.e. gardening). I used to be a mindless snacker, especially in the evenings, and have drastically reduced snacking. I drink tea instead, run or walk in the evenings, and really try to listen to my body as to "am I really hungry or bored". I use a food scale and measure liquids most of the time but not always. We eat out about once per week, usually sushi.

Today my current weight is 164lbs. I feel great! Still have a chronic back problem but am better managing it without drugs. My goal weight is not really a set number, I am thinking 135lbs but I haven't been lower than my current weight for 15-20 years (I am 41 years old now). I used to weigh 110-120 lbs in high school and my early 20s. I carry most of my weight in my abdomen/hips/thighs.

I currently have my goals set to 1 lb/week loss with a daily calorie intake of 1450 before exercise. I am wondering at what point I should decrease my weight loss goal. I understand it will be more difficult to lose as I get closer to my goal/my BMI for my height. I lost 5 lbs in the last 6 weeks and am definitely more active at the moment as we are gearing up to plant our 2 acre garden and doing spring cleaning/yard work. I don't want to lose too fast as I want to be healthy and make it sustainable. I have noticed that I am hungrier in the last few weeks, probably due to the increase in activity, but my loss has not changed based on my calories in/calories out.

Thanks in advance for any advice given
Cheers Jen

malibu927

Usually when you hit below 20 pounds to go would be when you would change it, but if you feel hungrier now go ahead and eat those extra 250 calories

Chadxx

It is entirely up to you. Personally, I would stick with 1 pound per week for a bit longer but it is entirely up to you.

SusanMFindlay

You could also consider taking a "diet break" for a couple of weeks then go back to having a deficit (of either 250 or 500 calories). After an extended period of weight loss, some people find a diet break helpful psychologically and to help reset hunger hormone levels.

nowine4me

It sounds like you are doing everything right, I'd stick with it until you hit your goal.

oceandaisies

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am going to stick with what I am doing for another month and see how I feel. Then decide where to go from there.