When / how to re-assess?

Peony1982

Hi all,

I’m hoping you might be able to offer me some advice about how to proceed from here.

I’m 5’5, started at 151 and after 4 weeks I’m down to 143 (8 down) with a goal of 135. I’ve done this by logging (generally pretty meticulously) and sticking to my MFP calorie target (weight loss set to 1lb per week). I generally eat around 1650 / 1700 which includes eating back a good proportion of my exercise calories (I exercise 5/6 times a week - this was part of my routine anyway, but my snacking was out of control which negated the work I was doing). I’ve generally come in around 100/200 under my allowance which has allowed me to have a tracking free day (within limits!) at the weekend and to generally loosen up a bit over the weekends.

I haven’t found it too onerous as I generally have enough exercise calories to eat a pretty generous number of calories per day and I’m obviously pleased with my weight loss so far. However, I wonder if now might be a good time to re-assess what I’m doing. I suspect the weight loss will slow a bit naturally anyway, but do you think it might be worth adding some extra calories? Or if it feels sustainable, should I carry on as I currently am? Ideally I would like to get to 135 by Christmas and then maintain there. I don’t have any desire to go lower than that as it doesn’t suit my body type.

Thanks!

viajera99

If you're not having too many problems with adherence, you can probably stick where you are for another week or two. This will give you a better idea how much of that 8 lbs. was water weight. If you're still losing at a 2 lb per week clip, try adding 100-200 cal/day and see what happens over the next few weeks. As you're so close to your goal weight, easing into it will probably make maintenance easier. Congrats on your success.

AnnPT77

pismodiver wrote: »

If you're not having too many problems with adherence, you can probably stick where you are for another week or two. This will give you a better idea how much of that 8 lbs. was water weight. If you're still losing at a 2 lb per week clip, try adding 100-200 cal/day and see what happens over the next few weeks. As you're so close to your goal weight, easing into it will probably make maintenance easier. Congrats on your success.

I think that's reasonable advice, but if you continue averaging 2 pounds a week, I think that could be a little more aggressive than optimal at your current weight. At a similar size (5'5", 154), 2 pounds a week left me weak and fatigued after a while, and it took some time to recover. I would shoot for a pound a week average, pretty soon now, if it were me. You don't have much to lose, and the slow on-ramp to maintenance would be potentially healthier, as well as more educational