Adjusting calories to maintain

sjacks14

I've reached my goal weight and now want to maintain. Should I just simply up my calories all at once or gradually? BTW, I did up my calories from losing 1lb a week to .5lb a week about two weeks ago. That gave me 200 calories per day. I'm just a little nervous about suddenly upping my calories and then putting on weight. What have any of you who reached your goal weight done?

Thanks!

psuLemon

If your deficit is only 250 calories, it would be fine doing it at once. Many people will just maintain the 250 or 1/2 lb deficit due to possible errors in measuring.

sjacks14

bump

kluvit

CONGRATULATIONS ON MEETING YOUR GOAL!!!

I met my goal last spring and decided to go ahead and lose a little more, but once I decided not to lose anymore and start to maintain, I eased into it. Like you, I set it to 0.5 lb per week loss goal for about a month and continued losing, so I changed to manual 100 calorie per day deficit to account for under-estimation of food or over-estimation of exercise calories. And, finally after about a month or two of successful maintenance, I stopped logging everyday because I eat a lot of the same foods, so I "know" my regular menu and how many

Now, I just log when I want to "check" calories on something new; when I notice a change in my habits such as snacking more, or when I see an extra pound or two on the scale. Otherwise, I just enjoy my new body by sticking with my new lifestyle choices that helped me earn it.

woodsy0912

Now, I just log when I want to "check" calories on something new; when I notice a change in my habits such as snacking more, or when I see an extra pound or two on the scale. Otherwise, I just enjoy my new body by sticking with my new lifestyle choices that helped me earn it.

THIS is my ultimate goal! Can't wait to be here. :laugh:

Although I will probably continue to accurately log for at least a couple of months after switching to maintenance just to be sure. And I really like the 100 calorie less idea as well for errors.

karint74

Congrats on reaching your goal! I reached my (initial) goal in December. Since I was only netting 1350 calories after exercise (I eat back all of my exercise calories), I bumped up my calories by about 100 per week for a month until I was up to 1820. I figured an increase of 500 or so all at once would be too great of a change and would cause me to gain several pounds all at once before re-losing it as my body adjusted. That would have been de-motivating for me. I continued to lose during that month, fractions of a pound per week. By bumping it up a little at a time, it's easier to see when you stop losing, and therefore find your true maintenance calorie goal. Mine is quite a bit higher than MFP would have calculated for a 5'5.5" 48-year-old woman moderately active before exercise. Bonus: if your weight stabilizes a couple of pounds below goal, you have a little wiggle room for water fluctuations.

TavistockToad

Although I will probably continue to accurately log for at least a couple of months after switching to maintenance just to be sure. And I really like the 100 calorie less idea as well for errors.

i've been maintaining for over a year now, and i'm still here!!!!

but then thats just cos i love it!