when do you go into maintenance?

Yooperm35
Yooperm35 Posts: 787 Member
edited September 29 in Health and Weight Loss
Once you reach your goal - how long do you continue to eat the suggested caloric intake for weight loss? Once I reach my goal, do I up my calories to a maintenance level?

Replies

  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Once you reach your goal - how long do you continue to eat the suggested caloric intake for weight loss? Once I reach my goal, do I up my calories to a maintenance level?

    You should get ready for maintenance just before you hit your goal weight. If you are set at more than 1 lb/week and have 10 or less pounds to go, switch to 0.5lbs/week, keep your intake here until you hit your goal weight then over time add more calories to get to maintenance. so at 0.5lbs/week you are 250 cals under maintenance, once you hit your goal add back 150 of these so you are 100 cals under maintenance for 3-4 weeks then switch to full maintenance. This way you don't shock your system with a dramatic increase in calories everyday, all at once. Hope this helps.
  • DeanDowney
    DeanDowney Posts: 22
    Good question. I'd like to have the answer too. :-)
  • mlemonroe2
    mlemonroe2 Posts: 603
    i would gradually increase calories until you're in maintenance range.
  • Yooperm35
    Yooperm35 Posts: 787 Member
    Once you reach your goal - how long do you continue to eat the suggested caloric intake for weight loss? Once I reach my goal, do I up my calories to a maintenance level?

    You should get ready for maintenance just before you hit your goal weight. If you are set at more than 1 lb/week and have 10 or less pounds to go, switch to 0.5lbs/week, keep your intake here until you hit your goal weight then over time add more calories to get to maintenance. so at 0.5lbs/week you are 250 cals under maintenance, once you hit your goal add back 150 of these so you are 100 cals under maintenance for 3-4 weeks then switch to full maintenance. This way you don't shock your system with a dramatic increase in calories everyday, all at once. Hope this helps.
    That makes sense- and sort of what I was thinking. Thank you!
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    I have been on maintenance for a while. I upped my goals to maintenance but would stay under because I was affraid. I do fluctuate a pound or two. If It goes up more then 5, I will go back to lose 1/2 lb. After I met my goal I find myself getting lazy with my diet. I think it's natural. But I am aware of it so I now know what to do.
  • End6ame
    End6ame Posts: 903
    Once you reach your goal - how long do you continue to eat the suggested caloric intake for weight loss? Once I reach my goal, do I up my calories to a maintenance level?

    You should get ready for maintenance just before you hit your goal weight. If you are set at more than 1 lb/week and have 10 or less pounds to go, switch to 0.5lbs/week, keep your intake here until you hit your goal weight then over time add more calories to get to maintenance. so at 0.5lbs/week you are 250 cals under maintenance, once you hit your goal add back 150 of these so you are 100 cals under maintenance for 3-4 weeks then switch to full maintenance. This way you don't shock your system with a dramatic increase in calories everyday, all at once. Hope this helps.
    That makes sense- and sort of what I was thinking. Thank you!


    Also keep in mind that your body weight fluctuates constantly. Is the weight loss that allowed you to hit your specific goal fat loss, water weight, stomach/intestinal content, bladder content, etc? So if you switch to maintenance calories today and weigh yourself tomorrow or next week and see that you gained 2lbs, is that going to freak you out or discourage you? I am not saying any of this is actually the case or will happen, these are just things to think about and lead into my recommendation.

    I would follow what @erickirb said, but I would also recommend shooting for a couple of pounds below your goal weight before fully switching to allow for normal fluctuation and avoid any negative feelings if your weight fluctuates back up a few pounds. I would also recommend finding a new fitness/performance goal to work towards. Do you want to be stronger, run farther, faster, etc…

    Congrats on your progress so far by the way!
  • kfitz10103
    kfitz10103 Posts: 354
    I never thought about that since I have never been so close to my goal. Now that I am zigzagging I am losing weight again so I wonder what my maintenance will be once I get to my goal?
  • Majunta
    Majunta Posts: 575
    Bump
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