How to Maintain and Not Gain

Katie3784
Katie3784 Posts: 543
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I have finally reached my weight loss goal of 125lbs. It was originally 135lbs(with a SW of 150), but I got there and decided to go further. I feel like if I lose more weight I will look too thin, plus I have very defined shoulders which make me look even thinner. I consume about 2000 calories a day give or take, and because I work out a lot, I am still losing weight. I am pretty amazed that I have not plateaued at all, and I just keep losing about a pound a week. I want to maintain my weight, so I have thought about increasing my caloric intake, but have two concerns with this. I have heard that often times when you increase calories, you will lose even more weight. I don't want this, but I especially don't want to gain weight. How can I get to the right place to maintain my current weight? I also do not want to decrease exercise because I love it so much.

Replies

  • TiniTurtle
    TiniTurtle Posts: 595 Member
    bump
    i'm about 10-15 lbs from my goal & am scared of gaining when i try to maintain!
  • JennLifts
    JennLifts Posts: 1,913 Member
    are you eating back exercise cals? if no, that's where you start. if yes, and it's set to maintenance, change your activity level and see if you start to maintain. I had to add about 500cals to my lose a pound a week to maintain.
  • ktieman
    ktieman Posts: 45 Member
    Hello, I don't have an answer for you; but I wanted to say Way To Go on reaching your goal.:happy:
  • bloodbank
    bloodbank Posts: 468 Member
    If you are still losing on 2000 calories, bump it up by 100 for a week. If the loss continues, bump it up by another 100 for another week, and so on. Eventually you'll find your sweet spot.
  • JennLifts
    JennLifts Posts: 1,913 Member
    I can promise you, from personal experience, it's not that easy to gain weight.
  • Gilbrod
    Gilbrod Posts: 1,216 Member
    Work out less. Keep the time, lower the intensity.
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    Maintenance is trial and error. Since you don't want to cut back on your exercise then you'll have to increase your calorie intake. Remember to change your settings to "maintain my current weight" so you can see MFP's new goals. Increase your calories slowly over a 2-4 week period. You will eventually find your true maintenance calories - remember MFP is only an estimate based on your inputs. Don't be surprised if it takes 2 full months to figure it out. Being female, our bodies react to monthly cycles, hormonal changes, etc. Be patient and give it time. Congratulations on reaching your goal! Job well done!
  • caitastic24
    caitastic24 Posts: 674 Member
    "I can promise you, from personal experience, it's not that easy to gain weight. "

    suuuuper funny!!!!
  • caitastic24
    caitastic24 Posts: 674 Member
    "I can promise you, from personal experience, it's not that easy to gain weight. "

    suuuuper funny!!!!
  • wildon883r
    wildon883r Posts: 429 Member
    At my heaviest weight nearly 50 lbs ago i ate what i wanted, drank what i wanted and really never gained. If anything my weight stayed pretty much the same. I ate excessive and drank excessive, I eat good now but in volume probably 1/3rd of what i used to consume. As long as i eat how and what i do now i'm not concerned about gain back at all. You shouldn't worry about it either.
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    I can promise you, from personal experience, it's not that easy to gain weight.

    Unless you are an endomorph like me. When I reached my goal weight back in 2008 (the profile picture) I switched to "maintenance" which was adding about 300-500 calories per day since I was eating at a 500 deficit.

    And as you can see, I am here again trying to get back down...
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