As you get closer to weight goal does your calorie target change?

[Teachamy 1,042]

I was told my calories may need to increase somewhat, but I am confused by this. As you get closer to goal has that been the case for any of you?

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

my calories may need to increaese. As you get closer to goal has that been that the case?

@@Teachamy

while i was losing weight/through stalls and alls - I never upped my calories

i have heard some./many people do increase their calories (exercising more - or changing things up a bit)

if your NUT/doc "strongly suggests" you upp your calories, and you feel good with that - go for it

i'm of the thought - "if it aint broken, don't fix it!! "

you are continueing to lose weight terrifically

keep up the good work

kathy

congrats

Edited May 19, 2014 by proudgrammy

[Teachamy 1,042]

T

my calories may need to increaese. As you get closer to goal has that been that the case?

@@Teachamy

while i was losing weight/through stalls and alls - I never upped my calories

i have heard some./many people do increase their calories (exercising more - or changing things up a bit)

if your NUT/doc "strongly suggests" you upp your calories, and you feel good with that - go for it

i'm of the thought - "if it aint broken, don't fix it!! "

you are continueing to lose weight terrifically

keep up the good work

kathy

congrats

That was my thought too, Kathy. I haven't weighed lately, so that might be a factor in my dietician's decision-making, not really sure. She is very happy with my current progress though. Guess we'll see.

[RickM 1,747]

Generally we should not increase calories since our weightloss tends to slow over time automatically - it doesn't take as many calories to move our lighter bodies, so the caloric deficit (which is what we are really interested in - calories burned less the calories consumed) is normally declining as we get closer to goal.

The exceptions to this would be those who are seriously ramping up their exercise as they proceed, and hence are burning a lot more calories to make up for that lower weight, and those who already have a fairly high caloric deficit and are losing rapidly (say, closing in on goal within six months or so of surgery.) I started increasing my intake some at six months as I was within 10 lb of goal and losing at a consistent 10 lb per month rate, so I wanted to slow things down a bit to ease into maintenance mode.

[Teachamy 1,042]

OK, that makes sense, if you're losing 10 lbs. a month, which I am not. I haven't recently ramped up exercise, and I still have over 20 pounds to go. Curious what her (dietician's) thoughts are on the matter. I don't think I am ready for a calorie hike, but she seemed to imply it in her latest email...

[RJ'S/beginning 5,357]

I am a horse of a different color. I now have Reactive Hypoglycemia..So now I eat 6 times a day...I am eating more complex carbs now to keep my sugars settled....I think that my caloric intake has gone up..But I am still losing weight and am getting where it is no longer a good idea..... Everyone is different!

But at some point our bodies are supposed to level off and we need to maintain within 5-10 lbs.