To break, or not to break? That is the question.
Shayztar
Posts: 415 Member
I usually post my questions to my friends list, but I'm putting this out there for the masses to weigh in their opinions.
Recently, I read about a "diet break". In a nutshell, depending on your goal and/or size, you take a 2 week break every 6 to 12 weeks. Apparently, this helps your metabolism in some technical way, and it helps you mentally. That doesn't mean going back to old habits, but rather eating at your current TDEE and then start again.
Also read that the closer you get to goal weight, you may need to drop a couple hundred cals a day because weight loss slows. Unsure if that means 200 cals less than my current cal amount, or 200 less my ideal BMR/TDEE at 155 lbs.
I am back at my pre-pregnancy weight. What I consider my normal. 165 or thereabouts. I'm also considered "normal" for BMI standards. Thing is, I *wanted* goal to be 155, or rather one more dress size less. I still think that's attainable. But weight loss really is slowing down. And I don't feel the need to be so particular about what I eat anymore.
.
Should I take a "break" for a couple of weeks, then bust my tail to lose my last 10 lbs of 'vanity weight'? Or should I drop a couple hundred cals a day? Or should I continue status quo and let nature work in it's mysterious ways? It's still working, just s.l.o.w.l.y.
.
BTW: I eat according to IPOARM. 1900 cals a day, 3-4 days of exercise per week (usually jogging, with a little body weight resistance training more recently). My TDEE is probably about 2300 cals. My diary has been lacking lately since I have been feeling a little more "diet lazy" so pls disregard unfinished food and/or exercise days. I've been at this for 9 months now!
Thanks guys!
Recently, I read about a "diet break". In a nutshell, depending on your goal and/or size, you take a 2 week break every 6 to 12 weeks. Apparently, this helps your metabolism in some technical way, and it helps you mentally. That doesn't mean going back to old habits, but rather eating at your current TDEE and then start again.
Also read that the closer you get to goal weight, you may need to drop a couple hundred cals a day because weight loss slows. Unsure if that means 200 cals less than my current cal amount, or 200 less my ideal BMR/TDEE at 155 lbs.
I am back at my pre-pregnancy weight. What I consider my normal. 165 or thereabouts. I'm also considered "normal" for BMI standards. Thing is, I *wanted* goal to be 155, or rather one more dress size less. I still think that's attainable. But weight loss really is slowing down. And I don't feel the need to be so particular about what I eat anymore.
.
Should I take a "break" for a couple of weeks, then bust my tail to lose my last 10 lbs of 'vanity weight'? Or should I drop a couple hundred cals a day? Or should I continue status quo and let nature work in it's mysterious ways? It's still working, just s.l.o.w.l.y.
.
BTW: I eat according to IPOARM. 1900 cals a day, 3-4 days of exercise per week (usually jogging, with a little body weight resistance training more recently). My TDEE is probably about 2300 cals. My diary has been lacking lately since I have been feeling a little more "diet lazy" so pls disregard unfinished food and/or exercise days. I've been at this for 9 months now!
Thanks guys!
0
Replies
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Hello, Friend.
I am also doing IPOARM. I have never taken a break on purpose, but there have been weeks, every 6 weeks or so, when I naturaly feel munchier and lazier. I give in to these feelings since I feel that my body is telling me something. After a week of laying around and eating 200 extra calories a day, I get back in the saddle, back to the gym, back to bags and bags of salads, and the weight melts off. I don't know the science behind it, but it helps me not only to lose weight, but to feel emotionally better as well.
I look forward to seeing other ideas on here...0 -
bump0
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-I wouldn't be concerned with slow weight loss, losing weight at a slower pace when you have less fat to lose is expected.
-Diet breaks are a good idea, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to lose weight at a quicker pace.
-You may eventually have to cut cals a little further to hit your goal, but there's no need to do so until the scale stops moving completely.0 -
Thanks for your input so far guys. But I still don't know what to do! Maybe the break would be more of a mental thing. I don't think I'll lose faster. Just that a break would be nice before the FINAL SPRINT so to speak. :laugh:
It just seems like there is science and psychology to support all potential avenues...
Any more opinions out there?0 -
Thanks for your input so far guys. But I still don't know what to do! Maybe the break would be more of a mental thing. I don't think I'll lose faster. Just that a break would be nice before the FINAL SPRINT so to speak. :laugh:
It just seems like there is science and psychology to support all potential avenues...
Any more opinions out there?
How long have you been eating in a calorie deficit?0 -
How long have you been eating in a calorie deficit?
For 9 months straight. I only didn't log once that entire time for a week while camping in July.0 -
How long have you been eating in a calorie deficit?
For 9 months straight. I only didn't log once that entire time for a week while camping in July.
I think it's perfectly reasonable for you to take a diet break.
You mentioned reading an article, was this the one? If not, read it. If so, well you could read it again just because Lyle is the man.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html0 -
Bumping because I appreciate reading thoughts on this subject. I am in the midst of a 1 week lifting break. I ate at TDEE this weekend (close to it) and already feel so much better in body and attitude.0
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How long have you been eating in a calorie deficit?
For 9 months straight. I only didn't log once that entire time for a week while camping in July.
I think it's perfectly reasonable for you to take a diet break.
You mentioned reading an article, was this the one? If not, read it. If so, well you could read it again just because Lyle is the man.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html
That's the one I read!! Seriously, this Lyle guy writes in a manner that makes complete sense to me.
I guess my main concern is that I was going to use the info from that article as an excuse to "go off" my diet. Reasonably speaking, it can't hurt. So long as I do as suggested and stay within TDEE cals.0 -
How long have you been eating in a calorie deficit?
For 9 months straight. I only didn't log once that entire time for a week while camping in July.
I think it's perfectly reasonable for you to take a diet break.
You mentioned reading an article, was this the one? If not, read it. If so, well you could read it again just because Lyle is the man.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html
That's the one I read!! Seriously, this Lyle guy writes in a manner that makes complete sense to me.
I guess my main concern is that I was going to use the info from that article as an excuse to "go off" my diet. Reasonably speaking, it can't hurt. So long as I do as suggested and stay within TDEE cals.
I think you've got a lot of common sense. You're right in that plenty of people might use that as an excuse to stop dieting. In your case, 9 months at a deficit -- I think you should do it even if there isn't any physiological change from it. Psychological reasons are good reasons too.0 -
I also agree that you should take the break - especially if your progress is slowing. Think of it this way - if you have nothing to lose (no pun intended) and all the time in the world to attain your goal, then you might as well give it a try. Oh, and let us know how it works out too!0
This discussion has been closed.
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