Totally confused! Lost weight with high cals!!!?

vet272
vet272 Posts: 183 Member
edited January 26 in Food and Nutrition
So, I've counted calories and been having success. The inevitable plateau occurred and I'm fine with that. It moves eventually.
But here's the thing, I took the weekend 'off' and ate calorie high, well over my range from Friday night to Sunday night.
I hopped on the scales Monday morning and I've started losing again!
I don't get it. Any explanations anyone?

Replies

  • SineCurves
    SineCurves Posts: 2 Member
    I've heard before that the plateau occurs because of your body's metabolism essentially getting normalized to the amount of food you're eating. If you vary your calorie intake the body becomes better equipped to deal with that food.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    Yeah you're probably undereating most of the time. The higher calories allowed your body to accept you weren't about to go into an extended period of famine and burned some fat and dropped some water.
  • kellykw
    kellykw Posts: 184 Member
    It's a cumulative effect. Your weight loss on Monday wasn't just the result of what you did over the weekend.
  • vet272
    vet272 Posts: 183 Member
    I am eating right up to my calorie max all the time.
    Is it a good idea to go over every now and then do you think?
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    I am eating right up to my calorie max all the time.
    Is it a good idea to go over every now and then do you think?

    It depends.

    What is your "calorie max"? Where did the number come from?

    If it is 1200 calories it may be too low. You should be adding your exercise calories to it?

    Or, you should be figuring out your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) and cutting 15% or so off that.
  • vet272
    vet272 Posts: 183 Member
    It was 1500 but MFP changed it to 1200 when I lost 16 lbs. have to admit to feeling ravenous some days.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    It was 1500 but MFP changed it to 1200 when I lost 16 lbs. have to admit to feeling ravenous some days.

    How much weight do you have left to lose? What is your goal? If it's 2 lbs/week, change it to 1 lb/week. If it's already set at 1 lb/week, change it to 1/2 lb per week. As you get closer to goal you cannot sustain bigger deficits.
  • vet272
    vet272 Posts: 183 Member
    Still about 30 lbs to go.
    Thank you for your advice mrs bigmack! Appreciate it x
  • megginanderson
    megginanderson Posts: 276 Member
    coming from experience... you have to eat to lose:)
    I dont know about you but I love that motto!
    I dropped 2 pants sizes when i increased my calories.
    what are you doing for exercise? How many calories have you calculated to eat?
    message me if you want.
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