Unexpected weight loss, but too scared to up my calories

ObsessedMonster

I've reached my goal weigh of 115 pounds 5 months ago and started eating 1550-1600 calories per day since then (other than very occasional binges). I've managed to maintain my weight for a few months until recently when I started slowly losing weight again. Now I'm at 109 pounds for no reason. I exercise twice a week, but am otherwise very sedentary. Should I increase my caloric intake no matter how much I hate doing it? I've gotten so used to eating this much that I can't imagine eating more everyday. And I still don't like the idea of gaining weight even though I'm already 6 pounds below my goal. Help?

xcalygrl

Yes, increase your calories. That is the only way you will stop losing weight. Try adding 100 a day until your weight stabilizes again. (100 a day could be a tablespoon of peanut butter, if you can eat PB, so you wouldn't have to eat a lot more than you currently are.)

yopeeps025

I've reached my goal weigh of 115 pounds 5 months ago and started eating 1550-1600 calories per day since then (other than very occasional binges). I've managed to maintain my weight for a few months until recently when I started slowly losing weight again. Now I'm at 109 pounds for no reason. I exercise twice a week, but am otherwise very sedentary. Should I increase my caloric intake no matter how much I hate doing it? I've gotten so used to eating this much that I can't imagine eating more everyday. And I still don't like the idea of gaining weight even though I'm already 6 pounds below my goal. Help?

Weight training time. So if you feel you are underweight then yes time to eat more too.

The_Enginerd

Yes, you will need to eat more. You get used to it. I understand the mental difficulty in purposely gaining weight after having worked hard to lose, but it's just what you'll need to do. The calorie goal given to you is just an estimate, but your calorie needs may vary from that. MFP estimates 2100 for me, but I need to eat 2300+ to maintain.

Yes, increase your calories. That is the only way you will stop losing weight. Try adding 100 a day until your weight stabilizes again. (100 a day could be a tablespoon of peanut butter, if you can eat PB, so you wouldn't have to eat a lot more than you currently are.)

I'd like to add to the above, each time you add 100 calories/day, give it at least a couple weeks to see where your weight goes before adjusting again. Don't try to chase short term fluctuations, because your weight will swing. You may find your weight swings more than usual as well when you are near the cusp of maintaining due to glycogen/water weight. That happens to me.

alereck

Try adding one meal to your day, if you are not hungry add a protein shake or a protein bar. That can add 200 calories of mostly protein to your day and it should help stop the weight loss. You do not want to lose much more, it's hard gaining back without gaining fat in unwanted places. If you do not weight train it won't gain muscle either.

Good luck