I did really great during my weight loss phase, eating a daily average in the 1500 calorie range. Once I hit my goal weight I thought I would ease into maintenance by increasing my daily intake by 100 cal/day each month (so one month at 1600, then up to 1700, etc., until I figure out what's a good maintenance level of calories).
However, I'm finding it really hard to increase only a little bit. I jump between low days (around 1400-1500) and overly high days (2000+). I just can't seem to find a way to hit an in-between level of calories--it's like I can either stick with my new diet habits or my old habits of overeating slightly. Why can't I hit the middle ground?!
I guess the good news is that my average so far this month is at 1850, which is about where I should be for maintaining, according to the charts at least. But I just don't feel optimistic that I'll be able to continue keeping the average that low, because it requires "diet" days mixed in. I'd rather do away with needing those, because it takes a lot of motivation. How to develop habits of moderation?
Your tips?!?!
It has really worked for me, being a junkfoodaholic and my dietician says it's ok if it makes it more sustainable for me. I do still count the calories and that helps me to enjoy the food I eat, as I don't feel guilty.
Normal people don't hit an exact number of calories each day. It's ok to eat less one day, and more another.
You only gain when you consistently eat too much, and you only lose when you consistently eat too little.
So you can log your weight -- which allows you to do the following:
- Plot your weight curve
- Analyze the trend of your weight (see under Recent in the figure above)
- Determine the projected target date (see under Overall in the figure above)
