Switching to .5 lbs loss weekly as I near my goal weight?

YourGirl32
YourGirl32 Posts: 16 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am 5'3" and currently 126 lbs. My initial goal weight was 125, but now I'm within 1 lb of reaching that and headed towards my UGW (ultimate goal weight) of 120 lbs. I've read several times that as you move closer to your goal, that you should change your weekly rate of loss to a smaller amount (for example going from 2 lbs loss rate per week to .5) Is that just so there isn't as large of an adjustment for when you're eating at maintenance level or is there another reason? I'm hesitant to make the switch since being this close to my GW already makes losing weight a VERY slow process and I am nervous to change what has been working for me. Any insights would be appreciated.

Replies

  • OkamiLavande
    OkamiLavande Posts: 336 Member
    The reason for the switch, in my opinion, is that once you finally reach your goal weight you'll be able to maintain easier as the weight loss was slow and you are less likely to pack it all back on quickly if any at all. I have my weight loss switched to .5lbs a week and I'm almost at my goal weight. I find it allows me to get used to how much I'll need to eat once I'm ready to maintain.
  • ottermotorcycle
    ottermotorcycle Posts: 654 Member
    The idea with switching to losing a half-pound a week is two-fold, in that it is best for people who are small to lose more slowly (for example, if you had started at 130 pounds, many of the people here would have suggested you lose at .5lb/week the entire time you're losing weight) and to not create as big a deficit, which can be taxing on the body. Slower weight loss is generally linked to sustained weight loss - the slower you lose the weight, the more likely you are to keep it off. The other reason is that often when people get to their goal weight and switch to maintenance immediately - a daily 500-calorie jump if you're losing 1lb/week - they gain a few pounds back, which no one wants to see at the end of their journey!

    Getting close to maintenance is a good time to start refeeding yourself the right foods and working on your overall level of fitness while you figure out exactly what your calories should be to stop losing but not gain. Perhaps instead of making any kind of jump you can just up your intake super slowly - add 50 calories a week until you are both at your goal weight and at maintenance.

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