Partying and Maintaining

2»

Replies

  • LeslieB042812
    LeslieB042812 Posts: 1,799 Member
    My maintenance system that works for me to live and not gain is to continue to eat at my weight loss level 3-4 days/week and then make good choices, but still indulge 2 or 3 days/week. It's very doable (you've been eating at weight loss levels for a while to lose 60 pounds, so it's really what you're used to!) and it still allows for going out to eat and having a few drinks. Just stay vigilant to determine what combo works for you. If you start to gain, then go back on weight loss and adjust accordingly. Good luck!
  • dpr73
    dpr73 Posts: 495 Member
    Thanks guys. Just curious...is 1900 calories low for maintaining my current weight? I seem to be dropping about a pound a week but I am not sure whether it is just scale fluctuation or not. Also, I am looking to maintain at 140 and not bulk because I already have a pretty thick frame. I do not look skinny whatsoever. I have more of a muscular build at 140.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Thanks guys. Just curious...is 1900 calories low for maintaining my current weight? I seem to be dropping about a pound a week but I am not sure whether it is just scale fluctuation or not. Also, I am looking to maintain at 140 and not bulk because I already have a pretty thick frame. I do not look skinny whatsoever. I have more of a muscular build at 140.

    Yes, 1900 sounds low for maintenance.

    I'm 5'9", 160lbs (seriously I outweigh you by 20lbs), and 33 years old. I maintain around 2400. I'm a woman, and 14 years older than you. You should be eating more. I'd go up to 2200 to start then probably higher if you still aren't maintaining.
  • dpr73
    dpr73 Posts: 495 Member
    Thanks guys. Just curious...is 1900 calories low for maintaining my current weight? I seem to be dropping about a pound a week but I am not sure whether it is just scale fluctuation or not. Also, I am looking to maintain at 140 and not bulk because I already have a pretty thick frame. I do not look skinny whatsoever. I have more of a muscular build at 140.

    Yes, 1900 sounds low for maintenance.

    I'm 5'9", 160lbs (seriously I outweigh you by 20lbs), and 33 years old. I maintain around 2400. I'm a woman, and 14 years older than you. You should be eating more. I'd go up to 2200 to start then probably higher if you still aren't maintaining.

    I have been adding on 100 calories a day each week I lose. Should I just keep up with this? I find weight maintenance much harder than weight loss. I want to eat more but am very concerned that I will fall off. Any good tips that could help me out of this mindset and into more of a comfortable lifestyle (i.e. one where I can go to parties without worrying and such?)?
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I'd bump it up to 200 a week until you stop losing.

    And honestly it sounds like you may have some "disordered" thinking about diets and foods. Food and calories are not to be feared. Food provides nutrients and energy, and it's okay to enjoy it.

    It takes 3500 calories OVER your maintenance to gain ONE pound. So if your maintenance is 2500 (which I'd bet money it is), you'd have to eat 3000 every day for a week to gain only one pound. You'd have to do that for 60 weeks (more than a year) to gain back the weight you lost. A few beers on the weekends will NOT undo your efforts.

    Keep working to figure out your maintenance, keep tracking at that for a while, then maybe ease off. See if you can at around that level without have to track every day. Reestablish a good healthy relationship with food. If you're not, I'd encourage you to find some exercise you enjoy, and/or to start lifting weights. Viewing food as fuel for your workouts helps you to not fear it.
  • dpr73
    dpr73 Posts: 495 Member
    I already work out by liftin 4 times a week and run on the fifth day. I also want to have to not think as much about this. But I'm just concerned that I am going to put the weight back on. I keep on trying to say I'm over thinking this whole process but I can't get over that idea for some reason. It's not like I stare myself. But I do worry more than I should I think.
  • nurselucyp83
    nurselucyp83 Posts: 6
    Yes yes yes! Enjoy life :-)
  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    Vodka.
  • fificrazy
    fificrazy Posts: 234
    Maybe a little beer bloat, but not fat...our bodies just don't work that way...we don't put on fat overnight. The body naturally wants to maintain...it takes chronically under-eating (dieting) to override that ability and lose weight...same can be said for gaining...you have to chronically over-eat to override your body's ability to maintain and gain weight.

    None of this happens overnight...if it were that easy, you would have lost the weight overnight too.

    You should honestly just go around pasting that answer on every thread topic.
  • yolohunter
    yolohunter Posts: 79 Member
    Just make sure to hit the dance floor for a good hour or so and that should balance it out if you're drinking in moderation ;)
  • cqoconnell
    cqoconnell Posts: 19 Member
    My new go to drink is a shot a vodka in a glass of seltzer. If it's plain seltzer, I'll add a bit of fresh lime juice. If it's flavored seltzer, no need. 64 cals for a 1oz shot and seltzer is 0 cals.
  • krawhitham
    krawhitham Posts: 831 Member
    I've lost 9 lbs in 9 weeks and I drank probably 3x a week on average.

    Gave up alcohol for Lent, so I'm not thinking about those calories anymore, but as long as you're calculating the alcohol into the 1900 calories you'll still maintain your weight.

    The late night eating after drinking is what gets a lot of people. Just pre-plan your calorie days on days you know you're gonna drink a lot at night...
  • rachrach7595
    rachrach7595 Posts: 151 Member
    Find a non-caloric method of partying. :smokin:

    :)
    Ironically I found those methods of partying come with copious amounts of $7 bottles of water attached.
    I miss my 20s.

    Anyhoo...back to reality.
  • erinissm
    erinissm Posts: 2
    I'm in a very similar situation. I'm a bartender; so I'm around alcohol all day/night. I LOVE having a couple of drinks when out with friends; and I'm a beer or wine drinker (not really a fan of cocktails), so it makes it a bit harder. However, in response to some of the comments regarding mixed drinks.. just remember:

    - ANYTHING with Soda is high calorie (even if it's diet soda!)
    - Sour Mix and Tonic are also high calorie (they're basically just sugar!)
    - All beers are high in calorie; drink light if you can.. just remember they're almost all over 100 calories, and lower in alcohol content.
    - Wine has a lot of calories also ; but there are low-calorie wines at a lot of restaurant and bars now that are a bit lower in calories.
    - Stay away from mixed drinks.. they are all high in calories and loaded with sugar.

    Also, if you're like me.. you might have a habit of snacking while drinking. Remember, drinking lowers your inhibitions and impairs your judgment. My advice would be to drink a lot of water, and if you do snack.. try and keep it healthy.

    Goodluck! I'm right there with you. :)
  • auntannette1
    auntannette1 Posts: 14 Member
    As a woman who has been through what you are talking about, the important thing is to make sure you are happy about yourself and what you are doing. All of the diets and exercise regime are only going to reflect what you want for yourself.
    Pursue your goals and dreams and you will be happy. Make life "on purpose" not just by accident.
  • water_coloured
    water_coloured Posts: 81 Member
    Of course you can still party. I normally take 500 calories out from the day to allot to alcohol consumption. I'll mostly take shots, and I'll only allow myself like 1-2 mixed drinks. [I hate beer - and it's pretty high in calories - so if I were you, I'd try to avoid it.]

Categories