Back to back holidays in May, still haven't recovered!

DapperKay

Hi folks. Last May/June I had two back to back holidays (roughly 4 weeks in total) where I wasn't abiding by my daily goals. I wasn't going crazy or anything, just relaxed in my approach overall. I still logged everything I ate and on average I was maybe at maintenance or just above, but for the 3-4 months before that I was in calorific deficit (at 20-30%).

When I got back I noticed that I had shot up 3kg (around 6lbs). At first I thought its probably something like water retention or glycogen replenishment. I went back to calorific deficit (but only at 15% now). Instead of going down at this level, I pretty much remained at maintenance almost, I've only lost back 0.5kg in those 3 months and it was VERY difficult (basically every time I lose 0.5kg I gain it again the week after). Working out like crazy, running, and at 15% deficit.

Question is - could it be that somehow by relaxing these 4 weeks that the body reached some sort of equilibrium state and in order to get back into serious weight loss mode I need to back to aggressive calorific deficit? Has this sort of thing happened to any of you?

I'm sure I'll probably lose them all again, but why is it taking so long. Before the holidays, for over a year, I was losing at a very steady pace. Now suddenly everything is thrown off balance. Confusing...

Metrics: 27 y/o - male - current weight: 74kg (was 130kg at one point). Height: 180cm. Work out 3-4 times a week, including 3x 5k runs.

Francl27

You're just eating too much. Do you weigh your food? It's very easy to undo a 15% deficit if you're not completely accurate. I suggest decreasing your calories by 100 or something.

Liftng4Lis

Deficit =weight loss. Reevaluate your caloric intake. Good luck!