Goal, Maybe Not?

Yesterday was a big day for me as I hit goal.  I bought my celebratory pair of skinny jeans and had just under my 800 calorie target for the day.  This morning I came in at 193.2 from 190.8 yesterday.  I'm not freaking out over 1.4 lbs, but don't want to take it too lightly either.  193 is where I have spent most of July so far.

Today I was up above where I want to maintain.  What would you guys do - jump back down to 600 until i'm at 190 again, or stay the course at 800 for a few days and just see if its a temporary blip?

Don't panic! Give it a couple of days. The scale always flirts with us with that low number then zooms up again before settling down finally. Why don't you split the difference and have 700 calories? Still pretty low, if you ask me. Good luck and stay tuned in here.

I would stay the course. You really need to look at what the trend is, on a weekly basis. Daily weighing can be stressful. Even though I weigh daily, I take my weekly weight on Sunday. That way I can see trends developing. 1.4 lbs overnight is pretty normal, especially if you had more sodium that day. It is difficult not to freak out.

Last week, my weight ranged from a "high" of 109.8 to a low of 108.5 lbs. I know my eating is okay, so I don't panic on a daily basis.

I have a 2-3 lb range that I stay within. If I get to the higher end, consistently, I look more closely at my eating and make the necessary changes. This is why, I continue to track my food intake. It isn't for everyone, but it has worked for me.

Gail

Don't panic and put on your objective engineer brain, lol.  It's water. Keep in mind 16oz of water = 1lb of weight.  If you worked out, ate a little salt, or just peed a little differently day over day, you can go up a pound without blinking an eye.   

Your body uses more than 800 calories a day running your heart and lungs.  You are certainly still in an energy 'deficit' and you will likely continue to lose fat (if not pounds on the scale)  until you get significantly more calories per day.  

Just as a point of reference, I'm a 5'2", 45 year old, 128-130lb, 21% body fat, (hypothyroid) woman, and I ate 1600 calories a day, on average, for the last 7 days.   You out-weigh me by almost 50%, and you likely have at least 50% more muscle mass. 

You are going to have a hard time following my advice, but it is the right advice, so listen. :) Don't up your calories. You ARE at goal, your goal might not be where you think it is. I looked at your pictures yesterday, really looked at them. You do not need to lose even a pound more, you are at goal. Now, you will have to find your comfortable goal range. Did you catch that, I said range not goal weight. Give yourself at least a five pound window and stay within this window. If you are gaining on 800 calories, you need to speak with a doctor. My guess is that over the next few months, you will lose a few more pounds without trying. If you were close to me, I would get you to look into my eyes and repeat, "I am at goal, I have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. I am now in my goal range and I feel great here". You are in for a hard emotional ride, the first few months after reaching goal can be very challenging, but you have us and we have all been there. We will guide you through it if you let us. Hugs to you in a big way. Yes, you are at goal and this is the normal fluctuations you will get from now on.

 I know this wasn't for me, but I needed it... So thank you!

Yesterday I spent most of the day freaking out because the scale went up 3 lbs in two days. I knew logically that it was probably water weight, but it still scared me. 

Guess I need to work more in the head stuff... Ugh! ;)

Wonderful advice....I am saving this post for when I get there!

I can fluctuate as much as 3 pounds in a day of simply water weight. I would stay the course and wait to see what the rest of the week brings. You might also consider weighing in less than every day... like twice a week or once a week if that doesn't make you freak out. You got this!

Elina is right. you are at your goal weight. Don't change your calories right now. Nobody stays at the exact same number day in and day out. we all go up and down a couple of pounds for no discernable reason. It can be maddening to wake up and see two more pounds when you did nothing you can think of to cause it. the fact is that its not fat, its water, sun spots or who knows what. After months of this up and down stuff you will realize its normal and thats how it works. It was hard for me to get used to. I would come on here and rave about two pounds.

So I suggest staying the course and that its a blip. If you are on 800 calories you will lose more weight. If not you must be adding muscle. Keep journaling and tracking weight so you know where you really are.  

Congrats again on goal.   Diane

I feel the same way some days Rob. Take some more pics of yourself at different angles it will help you to see that you are there. Like Elina said, it will be emotional to realize and will take some time but it is part of the process it seems. Went through it myself and am still dealing with some of it.