Anyone else terrified of eating more?

klackey23
klackey23 Posts: 26
in Health and Weight Loss
So in the last two days, I've decided to up my calorie goal to 1500. I've lost 66 pounds and I am 129 now at 5'5'', fitting into a size 2. My goal weight is 125, and I've been dieting and exercising for 7 months. And I realize that for a lot of the time between Sept-early Jan. I was eating too little (1,050 to 1,200 with exercising 5 x a week and not eating back exercise calories) and becoming too obsessive with my calorie count. I think my body just finally said that it wasn't going to lose any more weight if I don't start netting 1200 calories a day when I exercise.

And so now I'm terrified of seeing an increase on the scale. I know the scale lies, but it's such a bummer. And it's that time of the month so I'll likely see an increase just from that.

Has anyone else gone through this? How did you deal? And how do you deal with eating at maintenance, which for me will be 1850-2000 calories before eating back exercise calories? Seems like so much food!

Replies

  • kingofcrunk
    kingofcrunk Posts: 372 Member
    I'm going through the transition into maintenance now and it's terrifying! I don't know how best to do it and I'm sure I'm getting it wrong most of the time!
  • dan11222
    dan11222 Posts: 90 Member
    it scares me all the time to be fair i dont very often eat more than 1400 cals a day at the most would love to know how other people deal with this?
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Not terrified, but maybe a little apprehensive before I upped mine. So measure yourself now, maybe put the scale away, or at least know that you might see a gain at first as your body adjusts to more calories, but don't let it freak you out. Measuring is key.

    If it makes you feel any better, I haven't lost a pound in the last six months or so (just up & down the same three pounds or so), but I have lost more fat and inches, and dropped a full pants size in that time. So skip the scale and grab that measuring tape!
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    Just up your calories slowly. Add 100 calories to your goal each week.
  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    Just up your calories slowly. Add 100 calories to your goal each week.

    This. Now that you're close to your goal weight, it's going to come of a lot slower.

    I think that using words like terrified, obsessive, scared, and having anxiety toward food, exercise, and weight loss are indicators of a deeper problem. Have you talked to some one about your weight loss and nutrition?
  • klackey23
    klackey23 Posts: 26
    I haven't talked with anyone, but I have realized it's an issue to be this obsessive so I'm trying to combat that. I like reading what other people who have gone through this have done, too, or how they're adjusting to eating at maintenance.
  • rumplesnat
    rumplesnat Posts: 372
    I agree...it's terrifying to actually up your calories, but anytime I've hit a plateau, I up my calories 100-150 a day for 2-3 days and I start to lose again. Great luck!
  • Pixi_Rex
    Pixi_Rex Posts: 1,676 Member
    No.


    Sorry Crank you are rubbing off on me.
  • dakitten2
    dakitten2 Posts: 888 Member
    I agree...it's terrifying to actually up your calories, but anytime I've hit a plateau, I up my calories 100-150 a day for 2-3 days and I start to lose again. Great luck!

    Wanted to say Congrats! on your 200 pound loss! That is awesome.

    And to the OP: I've not made it to goal yet, but yes I worry about it some but it will probably be a trial and effort type thing for me, cause no way am I putting this weight back on again!
  • Pepper2185
    Pepper2185 Posts: 994 Member
    I was worried at first, but now I'm adamant that eating more is the best way to go. Especially when you are so close to your goal.

    Try it, and give your body a few weeks to adjust. Good luck!
  • Crankstr
    Crankstr Posts: 3,958 Member
    No.


    Sorry Crank you are rubbing off on me.

    LOL

    OP how do you like the way you LOOK? what are you doing for exercise? maybe now you can change your focus to body composition...and i agree...increase a 100 calories at a time..take it slow...and stop worrying
  • SoViLicious
    SoViLicious Posts: 2,633 Member
    Never
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Don't be afraid, trust the math. If you're logging accurately and you know that your TDEE (maintenance calorie level) is 1800, then you know that you won't gain weight eating 1500 calories. Up your calories gradually if it helps, and just remember that any gain you see will not be fat.
  • CnocNaCu
    CnocNaCu Posts: 536 Member
    I reached goal weight in October last year and was terrified to up my calories. I gained 10 pounds:sad:
    Not that I went over board with food but I am sure that chosing the wrong foods plus doing less resistance training and upping running was the reason. Running is good but running more than 15 miles a week made me crave carbs, carbs, carbs. Less resistance/weight training=less muscle and...wooom, weight gain.
    I am back to a better mix of exercise, don't overdo the running, eat more protein and less carbs and I am losing again. But I don't eat more than 1500/1600 on exercise days. But this is ME, I am in menopause with a slower metabolism. It's completely different in younger people.
    What Amy said is right: dump the scale, measure your waist,hip and thighs and trust it. I invested in callipers and see a huge difference in fat percentage now although I weigh a bit more than at goal weight:drinker: . Good luck
  • hughtwalker
    hughtwalker Posts: 2,213 Member
    Regard it as an opportunity, not a compulsion. You CAN have that extra treat that you had to deny yourself for so long. You will adjust but if you are still under your new goal but feel comfortable then, what the heck! Those of us who have yet to reach your state of Nirvana may have difficulty empathising with your apparent dilemma.
    Don't let the "need" to eat more become a burden.
    Best wishes (and do ignore the "Calorie-police" who will get on your case if you dare to say that you don't want to eat more.
    Best wishes
  • calisunrise
    calisunrise Posts: 307
    if you want to maintain, one word: NUTS
    seriously, eating them helps you reach your goal.

Categories