Calorie Settings: To Lose Now or to Maintain Later

LovelySnugs

i've decided i need to up my calories, but i can't decide how much. MFP tells me 1650 is okay (since i upped my general activity level), but the calorie needs calculators are telling me that when i get to my goal weight i'll need AT LEAST 1850 calories/day to maintain (assuming i keep the same general activity level i have now).

if i go up to 1650, won't i eventually have to go up in calories due to starvation mode as i get closer to my goal? or is 1650 close enough that that won't be a problem? or am i psychotically overthinking this whole thing?

it's just that i know me. so i'm trying to avoid plateaus at all costs. i am weak. this is fact.

but seriously, i've done enough research on the subject that i should know by now what's up and what i need to do. i just can't make up my mind which would be the better route.

know what? screw it. my support system here freakin' ROCKS. i'll be fine. i'm sticking with the 1650. i'll be fine.

Heather75

Okay. Glad that's sorted out.

auntiebabs

I don't know if this helps...

I hope it shows my thinking, which has been successful for me so far, and maybe there is something in here you find helpful and can apply to your situation...

I started at 1290 to lose 1lb/wk.
Had to go on maintain because of a health hiccup.
I tell you going from 1290 to 1650 was as hard as going from 1800 to 1290.
I was surprised that adding calories back in stressed me out as much as it did.
Really, it's re-learning eating habits AGAIN.

When Dr. said it was okay to lose another 10 lbs.
I did lose 1/2 lb/wk. (a less drastic jump down and a less drastic jump up when it's time to maintain)
When I get down to my next goal.
I'll update my profile to my FINAL GOAL (what can I say I was scared to see it all at once)
and then I'm going to check out what the calories are to maintain my final goal weight.

I'll use the custom goal settings to up my calories and do the last 5 lbs at my MAINTAIN GOAL calories.
(Yes, this will be very slow about 1/10 lb per week so the last 5lbs will take about me 1 year. But during that year I'll be fine tuning what works for me. -- because MFP is just a guide, everyone's metabolism is different --
And by the time I get to my goal I'll already know how to maintaining my weight and I won't be fretting over a little fluctuation.

They also say the slower you lose the more likely you are to maintain.
So relax and enjoy the ride...

Don't worry about Plateaus, plateaus happen just work the program and keep on tracking...

-AB

mkennedym

dont' worry about starvation mode. starvation mode doesn't happen for weeks on a SEVERELY restricted calorie deficit (we're talking actual starvation).

ladyhawk00

Don't overthink it. Just be realistic in your goals.

One thing that helps a lot of people is looking at it like driving. You get on the highway and get up to speed. You drive a while. Then you get to your exit. You don't continue to fly down the off ramp at 70 (if you have any sense). You gradually slow down as you get closer and closer to the stop sign.

So, when you start out, you have a higher deficit. But as you lose weight and have less fat stores and get closer to your destination, you slow down a bit. And then a bit more. And then come to a nice gentle stop, rather than slamming on the brakes.

Might help to read these threads (if you haven't seen them yet) that can help you figure out what an appropriate deficit is for you at this stage.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits