When and how to switch to maintenance?

RobynLB

I'm at my goal right now, and I would like to know everyone's experience with maintenance. I have always been a healthy weight, active, and eaten pretty well. However, I seem to go through cycles every few years of putting on 5-10 lbs and taking it off agian. It seems like the only way I've stayed at my lower weights is to either: work out 10+ hours a week, or keep eating under. I don't think that the first option is going to remain feasible, and I know the second option is not healthy.

I've been at my current weight now for a few weeks. I have switched from a 500+ deficit to a 200 - 0 deficit and maintained for a few weeks. Should I switch to a full 0 deficit at this point or keep throwing in little deficits here and there until I'm certain my weight is stable? It took my 4 weeks of suffering just to take off 2 lbs, I was trying to get more ab definition, and I am pretty happy with the results-- I would hate to see that 2 lbs just come back in a month!

florymonde

I would think it's probably a good idea to stick with a small deficit until you are more confident that your weight is stable. Remember, everything you are doing to calculate calories is (to some degree) an estimate. Even if you are precisely measuring pure sugar, you are not guaranteed your body will actually process every calorie you eat, and calculating exercise calories is even worse. A small deficit will give you an insurance policy, to reduce the chances of you having to work so hard for the last couple pounds again.

Starlage

i maintained for 6 months over the summer, I tapered my calories up over a couple of months until I was at maintainence, then I kept logging for awhile to adjust and make new habits, then I went without logging for a long time- it's easier than you think

RobynLB

Any other input?