Don't want to maintain!

rose_mortem

I have maintained for 2 months, eating approximately 1400 cals a day. I thought bodies were supposed to burn that much just by being alive, but mine isn't.

Is it really going to take tons of exercise and cutting back to 1200 cals to lose again? I didn't think 1400 was that bad...

5'0" 118 pounds

lindalou0703

Age and height are a factor in what we burn.

I see you are young so age shouldnt be a factor.

aWashCloth

You might just have to ramp up your work out. Personally I eat roughly 1200 - 1300 a day and I weigh a lot more than you, but really it might not be the healthiest option for me.

For your workout, focus on interval training.

1.5 mins 65% Max heart rate
30 seconds 85 - 90% Max Heart Rate
Repeat for 10 - 20 Mins.

Do more strength training as well.

3 Sets of 12 - 15 Reps

You want the weight to be something that once you do about 12, your body litterally feels it cannot do a single one more and has to put the weight down for a rest. (Momentary muscular Fatigue)

This is a very efficient way to get the best work out, the longer you do it as well, the heavier the burn.

kenzietea

I have maintained for 2 months, eating approximately 1400 cals a day. I thought bodies were supposed to burn that much just by being alive, but mine isn't.

Is it really going to take tons of exercise and cutting back to 1200 cals to lose again? I didn't think 1400 was that bad...

Bodies retain for many different reasons. If I were you, I would make an appointment with a dietitian/nutritionist, print out a months worth of logs, and have him or her help figure out what the issue is. I personally will drop ten pounds one month, go through 2 months of maintaining, and then start dropping quickly again- yet my routine doesn't change that much. I understand the frustration but every body works differently. Maybe you're just more like me, or maybe your body is just adjusting to the increase in calories. Either way, I wouldn't worry too much because stress is another thing that can help hold on to weight!

Rayman79

I dont burn a lot either, and as an overweight guy in my early 30's I'd have thought my body would use more (but I guess not... probably why I am overweight to begin with huh )

My choice has been to up my exercise so I can eat more during the day. I workout 5 days per week so I can keep at a higher caloric intake and still lose weight - albeit quite slowly. If you want to keep eating at that amount but arent maintaining, I'd suggest increasing your exercise. That is probably a more sustainable long term plan that always living on 1200 cals a day IMO.

mlmcquinn

Just curious as to why you upped your intake. I have been at 1200 cal a day and walking up to 3 miles a day 5 months and have continued loosing. I did plateau for awhile, but 30 lbs down since July is way more than I thought I was going to do. I'm 5'4"

mlmcquinn

Oops, got double posted

reneelee

I hope you measure your body parts as well as using the scale, because if you are lossing inches you are still lossing and not on maitenance. So hopefully you are lossing inches!

season1980

If you are not doing resistance training start.....lift and lift heavy!

rose_mortem

Just curious as to why you upped your intake. I have been at 1200 cal a day and walking up to 3 miles a day 5 months and have continued loosing. I did plateau for awhile, but 30 lbs down since July is way more than I thought I was going to do. I'm 5'4"

started eating due to stress :indifferent:
I'm just glad that I was able to control it enough to stop at 1400 cals. over the past week, I've gotten my stress under control, so no more stress eating

engineman312

you might need to adjust your diet. do you get enough fruits and vegetables? do you get enough protein? MFP has the protein intake pretty low for most people. you should be eating roughly 1g of protein for every pound of lean body mass. 1400 seems like a reasonable amount of calories, but maybe you could jump start your body a little if you go to 1600 for a week.