when to stop losing weight?

BeckyReba
BeckyReba Posts: 43 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
so even though i haven't met my overall goal, i've realized that i am perfectly happy/healthy at my weight now (121 pounds, lower than i have been since before high school!) i still do want to keep track of my calories though, to keep my motivation to stay healthy. tonight i had a HUGE dinner, and my calories for the day are almost 1000 calories over! but it says that if i ate like this every day for 5 weeks, i would not even hit 123 pounds yet! Should i adjust my settings to a maintenance calorie goal? should i keep trying to lose more weight, and to stay at 1200 calories a day? i don't really know how to handle it. it would feel like i was binging every day to eat this much all the time! so, when do i stop losing weight and start increasing my calories?

Replies

  • chrissym78
    chrissym78 Posts: 628 Member
    that's a question I have been asking myself as well, good luck!
  • CodyD18
    CodyD18 Posts: 161 Member
    A good time to stop losing weight is when you're happy with where you are at. You have to be careful though because most people who lose weight end up gaining it back. You don't want to just go back to where you were before. I went from 240 to 170 to 270... so trust me on that one!
  • RachVR6
    RachVR6 Posts: 3,688 Member
    If your pretty much at your goal you should definitely NOT be eating only 1200 cal a day. I would move that up closer to your maintenance calories at least.
  • significance
    significance Posts: 436 Member
    It sounds like now is a good time for you to stop losing weight, so yes, I think you should keep tracking calories and exercise, but set your goal to a maintenance level and keep an eye on your weight so it doesn't start to drift upward.
  • Fayve
    Fayve Posts: 406 Member
    Maybe start moving up your calories by 100 or so every few days until you're at a place where you feel comfortable?
  • srp2011
    srp2011 Posts: 1,829 Member
    If you are happy and comfortable at the weight you are now at, why don't you go on to maintenance for awhile and see how you feel? If you decide you do want to lose more later, you can always cut back again - it's not like you would be locked in to this decision forever. Also, keep in mind that it is normal to gain a little bit of weight as you get older. Gradually increase your daily calorie goal rather than switching to maintenance all at once.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    If you're happy with your body - then it is time to move from weight loss to maintenance. MFP gives me 1900 calories for maintenance - I know this amount is far too low for my body.. I eat between 2200-2500 a day. It will be trial and error for you to figure out what is comfortable amount of calories for your body, your lifestyle, etc.


    I can definitely tell you that 1200 calories a day isn't enough for maintenance. Also, that is the bare minimum calories they recommend - you may see a slight increase in your body weight as your body adjusts to more calories.
  • koondoggie_99
    koondoggie_99 Posts: 16
    I lost 52 pounds about 4 years ago. In the last 2 years I have gained that plus 7. The biggest mistake I made was thinking I could maintain the weight I was at without trying. Once you figure out what you want to do whether that is losing more weight or stay where you are, YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE ACCOUNTABILITY! Or before you know it you could be right back where you started!
    Good Luck!
  • jbucci1186
    jbucci1186 Posts: 440 Member
    well, I read your question wrong! sorry, don't know how to delete the post.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I'm at goal and happy, but think maybe a few more pounds less would be fine.

    Instead of going to maintenance, I'm sticking to 1500 (half pound loss) Mon-Fri, then freestyling on weekends without logging or putting too much thought into calories.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    If you are happy with weight, why would you try to lose more?
  • 80lbslost
    80lbslost Posts: 93 Member
    It takes a while to adjust to maintenance calories but if you don't you'll keep losing. I'm at 1900 calories/day and maintaining 115 lbs. Just adjust calories slowly to see what works best for you in order to maintain. Good luck!
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