Have you ever?

wannakimmy

I am going to have a very hectic next couple of weeks. It will not have time for my usual exercise routine (swimming), which allows me to eat more calories for the day I will be on the go quite a bit and will not be as able to accurately track my calories. I still plan to log daily, but will not have the usual healthy choices available to me.

I was thinking about upping my calories to maintenance for this period of time, and trying not to sweat it. Once things get back to normal (mid June) get back to my regular routine of eating at a deficit.

Have any of you done this at any time?
Did it work for you?
Would you do it again?

BigT555

ive done a couple of maintenance weeks, and would again. i saw a small weight gain, which i attributed to water since it was gone pretty fast once i started my deficit again.

it doesnt really do a whole lot of positive though, it was just nice to eat at maintenance for a week. some people claim it helps prevent metabolic adaptation but im not sure how much proof there is to this

daynerz

depends how long a defecit u have been doing recently, if its significant, then jumping back to your maintenance will put your weight back on.

The only way to keep you are where you are right now with your plans is too only add 100-200 calories more than your deficit, anything more, you are going to put back on what you've worked hard to put off.

You should prepare your meals in advance for the week, rather than settle for convenience only food choices...

Dana

Branstin

Yes, there are times I eat at my calorie maintenance. It worked for me and I would do it again. Your life isn't in a vacuum. As much as you try to keep on track, there will be times when you can't do it. Do you best to eat at maintenance and you'll be fine. Just be mindful of your food.

wannakimmy

The only way to keep you are where you are right now with your plans is too only add 100-200 calories more than your deficit, anything more, you are going to put back on what you've worked hard to put off.

How is eating at maintenance going to make me put on what I've lost? Even at 100-200 more than I am now I shouldn't gain.

juggernaut1974

Yep - over the last 3 years I pretty much have a few weeks of maintenance. Some people call it summer.

Between the neighborhood grill-outs, bar hops, parties, etc and the fact that I'm on the go more so it's harder (not impossible, but harder) to get to the gym every single day I pretty much considered summer a "win" if I maintained from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

StaciMarie1974

A weight gain would be temporary, due to a shift in glyogen stores & water weight.

Murph1908

I've done this. I've done it for a week long vacation, and for one-off special events (birthdays, holidays, etc).

For the vacation, I actually allowed myself to go over maintenance by 500 a day. I did gain that pound, but lost it back the following week as designed. Made for a great week where I went wild, but not out of control.

I'll be back on vacation at the end of the month, and plan to do maintenance levels.

wannakimmy

Thanks all.
Guess I can just try it and see how it goes. I can't let this lifestyle consume me. Sometimes there are hiccups in the road that we cannot avoid.