Is it time for a 'diet break'?

glitterstreet
glitterstreet Posts: 144
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,

Well...I looked at my log in streak for mfp today and it was at just about 360 days; I've been eating at a calorie deficit for 360 days... Is this damaging? I was thinking about taking a month where I eat at maintenance and not go crazy! I have about 10 more pounds I want to loose but my weight loss is seriously stalling at this point. Has anyone had any experience in taking a 'break'?

TYIA!

Replies

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    not really...eating in a deficet is not damaging unless you do too big of a deficet for too long...

    I didn't log on vacation but that is because I couldn't

    But this isn't a "diet" for me...

    It's how I plan on living the rest of my life...I have 5lbs to go to get to "goal" weight then I eat at maintenance while still logging..

    The only difference for me is I get to eat more food...so instead of 1/2 serving of my fav chocolate I will eat a whole serving..and if I feel like having toaster strudel for a snack at night I will have the calories left..
  • BigVeggieDream
    BigVeggieDream Posts: 1,101 Member
    not really...eating in a deficet is not damaging unless you do too big of a deficet for too long...

    Just curious, how does one tell if they are eating too big of a deficit?
  • SymphonynSonata
    SymphonynSonata Posts: 533 Member
    How many calories are you generally taking in per day?
  • SymphonynSonata
    SymphonynSonata Posts: 533 Member
    not really...eating in a deficet is not damaging unless you do too big of a deficet for too long...

    Just curious, how does one tell if they are eating too big of a deficit?

    I think she means if OP is eating like 1,000-1,200 calories a day and is a normalish height for a woman for going on a year.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    You can if you want, but I've found it's much harder to get back in the weight loss mindset once you start eating at maintenance, lol.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    I think diet breaks are good physically and mentally. I usually take a TDEE week every couple of months while cutting.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    not really...eating in a deficet is not damaging unless you do too big of a deficet for too long...

    Just curious, how does one tell if they are eating too big of a deficit?

    too big of a deficet can't be defined it's an individual number for each person.
  • glitterstreet
    glitterstreet Posts: 144
    I eat about 1400 calories on non-exercise days and 1500-1600 calories when I do exercise :) I am at a small deficit now.
  • lavender_fairie
    lavender_fairie Posts: 76 Member
    I took a 4-day break where I didn't log bc family came into town and I knew we would be celebrating, going out to eat, staying up late, etic. It was fun and glorious! I didn't go completely crazy, just ate what I wanted and partook of Starbucks frequently. :) by the end if it, on the last night, my weight was up 9 pounds! It was disturbing, even tho it was mostly water, sodium, glycogen, etc. anyway, I got back on the wagon and after 5 days, was back down. Then I lost 2 more pounds over the next 2 days after that. So I think the mini-break served me very well.

    My cals r set to 1460. 90% of the time I adhere to that; most of my cheat meals aren't really cheating as i make room for them. But every now and then a cheat meal or even a mini-break work for me. U just have to set an end date and stick to it.

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