Interesting mind switch

vanmep

I have been in a bit of a slump lately- frequently going over calories, just feeling less motivated. I decided on the weekend to switch over to maintenance for a couple of months as I needed a break and I am also conscious that it will be harder to keep up with my workouts as winter settles in. So I adjusted my goals to maintenance and suddenly I find that I am all energized and motivated to keep my calories under maintenance! I am meeting my previous calorie goal now that I am coming at it from the other direction. Very strange how my mind works. Have any of you experienced a similar thing?

Jthanmyfitnesspal

Well played. Not gaining weight is a fine goal. You can always go back to losing later. Also, the darkening days are hard enough without calorie restriction!

aeloine

There's been a post floating around about diet breaks and refeeds and it's really emphasized the positive physical and mental effects of taking a breather and maintaining for a while. Congrats to you for not throwing in the towel!

AnnPT77

vanmep wrote: »

I have been in a bit of a slump lately- frequently going over calories, just feeling less motivated. I decided on the weekend to switch over to maintenance for a couple of months as I needed a break and I am also conscious that it will be harder to keep up with my workouts as winter settles in. So I adjusted my goals to maintenance and suddenly I find that I am all energized and motivated to keep my calories under maintenance! I am meeting my previous calorie goal now that I am coming at it from the other direction. Very strange how my mind works. Have any of you experienced a similar thing?

Might be purely psychological . . . but "in a slump" and "less motivated" can also be signs of being at too big a calorie deficit, or at a reasonable deficit for too long.

Is it possible that eating just a bit a bit more for a short time is what got you to "energized and motivated"?

You might find some interesting things in this thread:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10604863/of-refeeds-and-diet-breaks

LiftHeavyThings27105

Agreed. I have been suggesting like crazy today that people consider taking a break. Both from training and from nutrition (not going nuts....just sitting at maintenance). It really does wonders....physically AND mentally.

vingogly

I've lost 72 pounds over the past few years. I've gone on maintenance for two extended periods; just going off the second now. It's been invaluable to me in proving to myself that I can succeed at maintenance for the long haul - given the many times in the past when I've lost weight only to put it all back on again.