Summer Maintenace

Hey Everyone,

So I have been dieting since October and have lost 20lbs. That was with a daily activity level of 2-3 mile run 5 times a week followed by a half hour of weight lifting. But now I've returned home and not only has my calorie intake increased some but now I only do a 2-3 mile run 3-5 times a week. But I'm going from being a student where I sit most of the day to working outdoors in a physically demanding job.

I'm very scared of gaining back this weight. If I eat sensibly (not binge hardcore but not really worry constantly about calories) and I slightly reduce my workout will I gain back the 20lbs I worked so hard to lose before September?

This may seem like a vain or silly question but I am very concerned that I will gain all of my weight back. Could someone give some advice or at least some words of reassurance?

I'm 5'4 121-123 19 year old female

Thanks !!

congratulations on your efforts paying off!

it would be difficult for anyone to reassure you that you won't gain ANY weight AT ALL by eating sensibly.. what does eating sensibly really mean? without a calorie guideline, who can be sure? you may gain some weight initially while you adjust to maintenance or you may retain water, and i would hate to think youre going to gain back 20 lbs right away and revert to calorie counting because thats where it becomes obsessive.

i would advise you to stick with it and do your best- what i can promise you is that with all that activity in your life, if you eat 'sensibly' by any standards, your weight will stay stable at a place that is perfect and healthy for you and you will NOT gain 20 pounds. if you did you would need to seriously re-examine your definition of sensible eating. so no worries, you'll be fine, and good luck! i hope you are able to stop calorie-counting and still be happy and secure at your new weight. try weighing yourself once a week on the same day at the same time, and unless you see a weight gain OUTSIDE of 5 pounds, stick with it and you should settle somewhere perfect.

good luck!

what i meant is, "i would hate YOU to think youre going to gain back 20 lbs right away..." etc etc

thanks for your reply. i'm so new to this maintenance idea but i'm hoping it works out!