How to 'end' a diet?

[BCDisneyFanatic]

About a year ago, I decided it was time to get myself in shape...I'm rapidly approaching 40 and figured if I didn't do it now, I never would. Two friends and I decided to 'share' a trainer three times a week, and I started watching what I ate (cutting out most of the carbs, fried foods, etc.).

Originally my goal was to get down from 155 lbs. to 145 lbs. (I'm 5'7"). However, I reached that after a couple of months, so I decided to aim for 140lbs, and later to 135 lbs, which I reached in April. I was happy with how I looked at that weight since I didn't want to lose ALL my curves!

I stepped on the scales this morning, though, and I was down to 132 lbs. I haven't been trying to diet (although I also haven't been 'pigging out'). I know that I've changed my lifestyle over the last year (less snacking on junk food, more healthy food spread out throughout the day, more protein and less carbs), but I've certainly let myself splurge more in the last two months.

I've heard of lots of people who start to regain as soon as they reach their goal weight, but has anyone else continued to lose without trying? Any hints on what I should do now? Should I be making myself eat more than I 'want'? Should I be adding more carbs, even though they make me feel blah after I eat them? I know it doesn't sound like it should be much of a problem, but it's so hard to change your mindset after working towards a goal for over a year.

I should add that there's a little part of me that's thrilled that I've continued to lose...and I worry about that, too. I never thought I had it in me to be an anorexic (I like food way too much), but it's kind of addicting when you see all the changes.

 

[Christine]

I think you should continue to do what you are doing. If anything, I might add a little bit more protein. At some point you WILL level out with your weight loss. If you are happy with your eating habits and are feeling good, I wouldn't change much. Once you start adding in higher calorie things it is a slippery slope, especially if you are prone to any type of emotional eating/food addiction. You can try adding more monosaturated fats such as nuts and avocados.

 

[Nette]

I don't think I would do anything differently. If you're satisfied w/ how you look, and you don't feel hungry, then you probably are just heading to a new "set point" weight. 132 for a 5'7" person is pretty reasonable. It could also be that you are mildly dehydrated today, that can swing your weight several pounds in either direction. Keep an eye on it... if you think you are losing too much, then add an extra healthy snack or something.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Firstly, congratulations! Good job!

I'm no expert. I'm watching and tweaking what I eat too. Once I hit my target weight I plan to add 400-500 cal a day to maintain and stop losing the weight. It might not be the exact calories I need to add. I'll tweak it as I go. I will continue my healthier eating habits. The calories I'm taking in are in the "lose phase". I'll increase it some for the maintenance phase. Maybe add another snack during the day. We'll see how it goes. It's a good question though! I think that is one of the big reasons people do gain the weight back. Good to think ahead.

 

[Planogirl]

I've always heard that it's wise to keep the lifestyle but just adjust it a bit. Eat a little more and cut back on exercise a bit. And also watch the scales and how things fit.

Congratulations on your success! I'm still working at getting rid of my excess.

 

[John VN]

How to "end" a diet

First off, congratulations.

I rapidly approached 40 some 20 years ago. Was once 185 and now 140 to 142. Feeling better now and I am healthier now than ever.

The way to end a diet, IMO, is to continue to eat healthy, continue to exercise and make sure you get plenty of sleep.

I follow this advice and can eat whatever I feel like if a special occasion comes like the trip to WDW DW and I just returned from today for our 37th anniversary. I have not reduced my exercise at all. I continue to bicycle 2 to 3 times a week for 50 to 150 miles/ride and I also now train for 1/2 and full marathons. If you continue to workout, and you should, you need to eat properly.

 

[LilyWDW]

Calories will play a big part in all of this. To lose weight one has to restrict their intake to a point of weight loss. Now, you need to bring that number up to balance it all back out and maintain.

 

[eliza61]

Cheesecake factory's Macadania nut cheesecake, should kill your diet pretty good.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Thanks everyone for the congratulations. At the beginning it seemed like an impossible goal, and yet, taken in small steps, the time has flown by and it hasn't been nearly as painful as I thought it would be.

The way to end a diet, IMO, is to continue to eat healthy, continue to exercise and make sure you get plenty of sleep.

This is what I've been trying to focus on. Although I've let myself have more treats, I don't want to go back to old habits (I used to be a bit of a binge eater). I think I need to try to add more healthy snacks to my diet. I know it's just a number on the scale, and that as long as I'm not gaining I shouldn't be too worried, but I'd also like to find a plateau that I can comfortably live with.

Cheesecake factory's Macadania nut cheesecake, should kill your diet pretty good.

Yeah, that could probably do it . However, the desserts here in Chile are REALLY gross for the most part (way too sweet, with lots of dulce de leche in everything!). I think living here has played a big role in my success!

 

[PatsGirl]

I don't know what the answer is but at 40 I did about the same thing, started with wanting to lose 15 pounds, ended up losing 30 and being too thin and wasn't sure how to stop losing...I eventually went back to my old habits and at 40 I am once again 30# overweight.

It seems to me at at 40 years old, 132# at 5'7 is too little weight but of course this depends on your bone structure and muscle mass. The "old theory" used to be 100# at 5' and another 5# for every inch after that, but that is at 25-30 years old. Not sure it is healthy at 40.

That being said, if you think you look good and are healthy, keep up the good work. Don't let it slide like I did because you may never get back on track Then again, be sure to stay healthy, both food wise and exercise wise.