When you reach maintenance?

sabrinastenson

I'm new here. I don't have a ton to lose and I'm hoping to do it by the end of June. Once you reach your goal weight, does your daily calorie count change to a higher amount for maintenance?

AllOutof_Bubblegum

The closer you get to goal weight the slower you'll lose weight. So it's not very likely or realistic to lose everything by June, sorry. For example, I've been working on the last 5 pounds for the past 6 months. And that's ok. I'd rather take it slow and ensure my lean muscle mass is maintained, and I don't end up with any loose skin.

AllOutof_Bubblegum

But to answer your question, yes, you bump your calorie goals up to maintenance to stop losing weight and stay at the weight you want.

airangel59

Yes you can change your settings (goal) from losing x amount a week to maintaining and/or gaining. Then the stats will adjust for you.

sabrinastenson

Thanks.

forevermaryb

Theoretically, once you reach maintenance, you should be able to increase your calorie intake depending on your activity level and how big your deficit was in order to lose. If you don't have much to lose, then your deficit shouldn't be too big (250-500 calories depending). However, if you are exercising like crazy in order to lose and then scale back on the exercise once you've reached your goal weight, then there won't be too much of a change. But overall, you should be able to increase your calories. It will be a trial and error process for maintenance.

sabrinastenson

Thanks. I only have 4 pounds to lose until maintenance. I think my deficit is about 400 right now. I don't anticipate changing my workout habits once I hit maintenance.

AllOutof_Bubblegum

Thanks. I only have 4 pounds to lose until maintenance. I think my deficit is about 400 right now. I don't anticipate changing my workout habits once I hit maintenance.

That's quite an aggressive deficit for only 4 pounds. Where's the fire?

sabrinastenson

Maybe I don't understand the deficit??

When I put in my daily activity and the goal to lose 1 pound a week, it give me 1310 per day. I thought I saw somewhere that calories burned from normal activity is 1790. Is that the deficit? Or am I not understanding what I'm looking at.

sabrinastenson

I joined in March, but just started using MFP this week. Previously I just tracked on my own which worked fine, but I had to google everything. The owner at my gym recommended MFP and i finally checked it out. So far, so good. I like it better than other sites I've tried before.

AHack3

Yes.

JustSomeEm

Sabrina, you're understanding deficit just fine. And going about losing just fine. Everyone has different opinions regarding how it should be done (weightloss, that is), but if what you're doing is healthy and working for you, then don't worry about what others have to say.

sabrinastenson

Thanks!!