Diet exit strategy?

[sleepyhead]

I've been doing 1200 a day since the middle of July with the aim of getting down to 10 stone (starting weight 11.2).

I've got 2lbs more to lose, so probably another week or 2 on this number of calories and then....?

I'm using MFP religiously and have also upped my (non-existent) exercise to 2 brisk walks of 20-30mins a day. I usually only let myself eat the calories from max 1 of these walks so I've always been under 1450.

I don't want to lose more weight. I'm down to a BMI of 22.5 (from 26), waist 33 inches (from 39), resting heart rate 66bpm (from 74) - still waiting for my doctor's appt to see how it's affected my blood pressure (which was the main reason for losing the weight in the first place). For my build and age, I think any more will start to show in my face more than I'd like.

So, would you just carry on but set a higher calorie limit? (1700 maybe??) I've not been feeling particularly deprived on 1200, but I guess I could build in a couple of snacks, not be so limited with portion control for dinner. I just don't want to fall back into bad habits and have this all have been for nothing. I feel really good and want to keep feeling like this!

Firstly, well done for losing 2 st! Keeping it off is HARD! I've lost 4.5st, stayed at target since March. I lost on 1450cals a day, around 0.5 to 2lb per week losses and I'm maintaining on around 1500 to 1600 cals daily or up to 1800 on days I exercise more. Experiment a bit. Maybe by adding 200 cals a day for a few weeks then see if that keeps your weight steady. If so, or if you continue to lose, you could try adding another 100 cals. I'm loving being slim I really am but I'm kind of grieving still for all the over eating I used to indulge in! Good luck!

Thanks for replying!

Yes, I keep reading about your metabolism slowing down and your body fighting to return to your previous weight which is all a bit depressing.

I think I need to keep using MFP to track as I could imagine it being really easy to slip back into huge portions of pasta. We had pizza the other night and previously I'd have had a whole one to myself and then hoovered up the dc's leftovers. That would have probably been c8-900cals right there and I wouldn't have even thought about it.

1500 to start with sounds like a good compromise which will give me some wiggle room. I'll keep on adding a bit more if I exercise and add more if I'm still losing any weight.

I was hoping my stomach would shrink or some such magic but sadly not! I also wasn't prepared for the new lighter me to burn less calories every day! I struggle to burn 2100. I use my fitbit app to log food and remain accountable for everything that passes these hungry lips. Destined for a life of restrictions, counting calories and jogging on the spot at every opportunity !