Need Tips on Maintaining Weight

Hello,
So thanks to my fitness pal's help, i've lost over 125 lbs in 6 months... My only problem that I am having is maintaining the weight. I'm comfortable where i'm at, but whenever I increase my calories to maintenance (still being health conscious), my body retains and stores, but whenever I go back to the way i've been eating during weight loss mode I start to lose again.

I just haven't been able to find that sweet spot where I can maintain my weight. I eat around 1500-1600 calories daily, I also exercise 3-4 days a week, (mostly cardio, love to run and be active in sports)

Any tips?

Replies

  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    Congratulations!

    A lot of people have trouble finding the sweet spot. I had been on a 500 calorie deficit and maintain by changing to 250. My weight has remained stable for more than 6 months, I keep losing inches.

    I would look hard at your macros. If you were that overweight your body is probably somewhat insulin-resistant. Thus you might want to keep your carbs at or under 35% (or at least 40%) and watch the added sugars and easy-to-digest starches. If you add calories by adding relatively more protein and fat but keep your carbs about the same, you may have an easier time maintaining.
  • PaytraB
    PaytraB Posts: 2,360 Member
    Many people will gain up to 5 lbs of glycogen when they go on to maintenance. That would be considered normal. It's an energy story that you used up when you started to lose and need to build up again.
    Give it time. Increase your calories and wait. You'll gain a few unnoticeable pounds and then level off. That's your true maintenance weight.