Crossposted from https://lemmy.today/post/31127120
27M. I have lost 5 BMI points, down to 30 from 35, in 5-6 months. I did simple CICO and resistance training (PPL split).
I am a bit exhausted of the caloric deficit now and want a break. I have felt like this before and taken a maintenance phase of 1 week and then continued cutting. Now that I am no longer obese, I feel less inclined to continue.
Should I recompose at my current weight or should I continue cutting? Ultimately I do want to get to at least 28 BMI or lower.
Any help and advice is greatly appreciated.
Typically it’s a good idea to do maint for 3-6 months after a 6 month stint of dieting. You don’t have to, but I think it helps to take a break mentally (and maybe physically).
I don’t know about physically but mentally it feels good to maintain. It also gives a chance to find maintenance calories. I honestly don’t know what is my maintenance because I have been in a deficit for so long.
Well, physically there are a few things. Your maint calories will likely go up as you maintain, so things like NEAT will go up and you’ll be burning more calories over all (which means more food). You’ll be able to put on more muscle because of the extra calories which will help with fat burning, glucose disposal, and all sorts of other good stuff. Your joints will be happier with increased calories as the body is better at repairing damaged tissues in maint/surplus. Hormones should upregulate. Etc etc.
But the mental aspect is huge and definitely welcomed!