Upping cals for consistency

discretekim
discretekim Posts: 314 Member
edited November 21 in Health and Weight Loss
so I tend to come close to my calorie goals during the week over but within 200-400. But then I just eat whatever on the weekends. This has resulted in slow overall loss. I will lose maybe 2-3 pounds during the week then gain back 1-2 on weekends or other off days. I'm in no rush so this rate isn't bothering me too much. But I'm thinking maybe I should make a goal of 1800 a day. And really try to track and meet that everyday. My current goal is 1410. I often don't track when I don't want to see mfp tell me I'm going to gain. But I think that's a goal I should be able to meet every day. Any thoughts? I'm 5'7.5" and mostly sedentary but work out 2-3 days a week with little walks sprinkled throughout. I would love to get some input.

Replies

  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    nothing wrong with having days where you eat more. the only issue would be if you want to increase your rate of loss. What if there's days you're over the 1800? My advice is to log consistently every day and not be hard on yourself if you're over your goal now and then.

    If it were me, I'd keep logging on the weekend. Even if those days are 2100-2400. Then I could look at my weekly averages and decide how important it was for my happiness to have the more indulgent days.
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    As long as you don't use it as an excuse to eat more during the week and still eat whatever you want on the weekends, if it gets you logging more accurately and consistently, it's probably an improvement.

    A goal of 1400 that you don't meet isn't reality, anyway.
  • 365andstillalive
    365andstillalive Posts: 663 Member
    I'm a big fan of goals that reflect what you're really looking for. If setting it to 1800 gets you the loss you're looking for, great. It'll also help you collect usable data; you should never be afraid to log!

    I'm just shorter than you (between 5'6-5'7) and I'm losing about 3/4-1lb per week on 1700 cals. I weigh 159 and I fall in the lightly active to active range. Maintenance for me is around 2200-2300 cals. I tend to eat to maintenance one day each week.
  • Bshmerlie
    Bshmerlie Posts: 1,026 Member
    I would just keep it at what you have. You said you're still losing overall and you don't have a problem with the pace. Sometimes weight loss is a mental game as well. I think if you up the calories by 400 per day to 1800 then you may still overeat on the weekend. At least this way you are building up a deficit throughout the week and then its not so bad if you go over on the weekend. I also think you should start tracking those really bad days as that will let you know how often you have them. Remember all this data is for you. So if you ever get to the point of not losing you can look back at your weak areas and know exactly what to address.

    If the overall rate begins to bother you then all you would have to do is take it back a notch on the weekends as you said the rest of the week was pretty good.

    Just my opinion.
  • discretekim
    discretekim Posts: 314 Member
    Good points. I probably should keep it as is for now and work harder at tracking on the weekends.
  • jessicapk
    jessicapk Posts: 574 Member
    WBB55 wrote: »
    nothing wrong with having days where you eat more. the only issue would be if you want to increase your rate of loss. What if there's days you're over the 1800? My advice is to log consistently every day and not be hard on yourself if you're over your goal now and then.

    If it were me, I'd keep logging on the weekend. Even if those days are 2100-2400. Then I could look at my weekly averages and decide how important it was for my happiness to have the more indulgent days.

    ^THIS!!! Keep logging and watch your weekly averages. It keeps you aware of what you're doing and helps keep you on track.
  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    Track your weekends and see if you are staying under your weekly goal (daily cal goal X 7). I eat under my daily goal during the week so I can eat more on the weekends and still finish within my weekly goal
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