Help needed from those in Maintenance mode

bizco

Hello Everyone,
I'm 3-8 lbs. away from reaching my goal weight and honestly I'm a little worried about the transition away from calorie deficit. If you've already reached your goal weight and are now in Maintenance mode, I would really appreciate your advice and insight.

What was your biggest challenge in making the transition? Any common pitfalls that I need to be aware of? Any other useful tips?

Congratulations on reaching your goal and thank you very much for your help!

Pril2000

I'm in the same boat! Would like to hear what people have to say!

yanicka

Ditto

Kate_UK

Increase your calories gradually, say 100 extra a day/week until your are at your maintenance calories, that stops the huge increase being a shock to your system. Be vigilant about continuing to count your calories, its easy to slip back into bad habits. Good luck!

00trayn

I agree, the best thing you can do is a gradual reduction in the calorie deficit. When you are close to your goal weight, it's more beneficial to have lower calorie deificits so you don't risk starvation mode (something I'm all too familiar with). If you're 3-8 lbs away, you shouldn't be aiming for more than 1 lb loss a week, or a 500 calorie per day deficit. As you get closer, you'll want to reduce that deficit gradually until you're at your goal/maintenance. Then your body will be used to the calories. And definitely continue to log as you do this process, so you stay on track and can adjust based on the results you see.

mhotch

Maintenance is a trial and error. Add a few extra calories at a time and see what the scale says. I still eat and exercise the same as when I was eating to lose weight. Not a lot changes. My weight fluctuates and I change my habits accordingly. I fall off the wagon and have to climb right back on. I use my goal weight as my panic point. I try to keep 2-3 under. When I reach my goal I put my self in weight loss mode for a week or two till I get back under goal.

Elle408

I'm trying to go through this at the moment! Have just upped my cals to 'lose 1/2 lb a week' and already panicking about it! I think i'll need to log for some time afterwards just until I can get in to a natural good habit!

PepsiGal

bump