Calories & what happens when you lose weight

Kimia

Hi everyone,

Coming to the experts again for answer to this question which has been bugging me. So I'm eating about 80% paleo, and restricting calories because I'd like to lose perhaps half a stone. My recommended calories a day are either 1200 with no exercise or about 1300-1400 with a nice bit of exercise throughout the week.

I've opted to do about 3 nights in the gym instead of restrict too much and that's working out fine.

What I don't get is when I reach my ideal weight (about a half a stone lighter than I am now) - do I continue to eat the same calories?

It appears that then I'd be 'at maintenance' so I'd go back to like 1700 calories a day so I don't lose anymore weight.

I'm just finding it hard to wrap my head around the fact that I'm eating less calories but weighing more, and when I weigh less I eat more calories!!

Head explode!! :eek:

rocky

Go with how you look in the mirror, rather than chasing a number on the scale. Who determined your ideal weight?

Yes, when you're happy with how you look, start eating at maintenance, you may see a small weight increase that's not fat, it'll be glycogen, water, extra food in you...

28064212

Kimia wrote: »

It appears that then I'd be 'at maintenance' so I'd go back to like 1700 calories a day so I don't lose anymore weight.

I'm just finding it hard to wrap my head around the fact that I'm eating less calories but weighing more, and when I weigh less I eat more calories!!

You're looking at it wrongly. You're eating less calories to lose weight, and when you want to stop losing weight you eat more calories.

EileenG

When you are at maintenance, you eat the amount of calories which will keep you at that weight, which is more than when you are losing weight. However, the bad news is, it's not a lot more. When you get close to your ideal weight/jean size, gradually increase your calories little by little until you find the point where you can eat comfortably and maintain your weight.

Animord

EileenG wrote: »

When you are at maintenance, you eat the amount of calories which will keep you at that weight, which is more than when you are losing weight. However, the bad news is, it's not a lot more. When you get close to your ideal weight/jean size, gradually increase your calories little by little until you find the point where you can eat comfortably and maintain your weight.

This is it! In a nutshell, why the whole bloody diet industry doesn't work in the long run - because no one ever really realises this. It should be tatooed onto everyone's forehead! And every weightwatcher/calorie counter/diet bar eater etc should be made repeat it like a mantra.

Sorry for going off topic

Kimia

I feel like I've just discovered a huge truth!!