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Old Thu, Dec-30-04, 08:57
Lisa N's Avatar
Lisa N Lisa N is offline
Posts: 12,028
 
Plan: Bernstein Diabetes Soluti
Stats: 260/-/145 Female 5' 3"
BF:
Progress: 63%
Location: Michigan
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Hi AteKna!

If you are close to your goal weight, now is the time to start moving towards maintainence. You might want to refer back to your book on how to do that, but generally it means slowly increasing your carb intake while decreasing your fat intake so your caloric intake doesn't go up dramatically.
This doesn't mean that you go low fat, only lower than what you've been eating while losing weight. Your body does need some fat to remain healthy (between 30 and 50% of daily calories). If full fat salad dressings bother you, try making a salad dressing from vinegar and olive oil or flax seed oil. Your body also needs a certain amount of protein to maintain itself as well, so don't cut your protein intake dramatically. Leaner choices such as chicken and fish are fine as you move towards maintainence.
As you gradually increase your carb intake from sources such as low GI fruits, nuts, and some whole grains you will find that your weight loss slows and then stops (usually between 40 and 60 grams of carb per day unless you are very active). This is the level you need to stay at to maintain losses. If you notice that your weight is creeping up again after you reach maintainence, cut back by 5-10 grams in your daily allowance (again, refer back to your book on this, it's much more detailed than what I've posted here).
Pay attention to your body's signals. If you notice that the old cravings and increased hunger are returning, it may mean that you need to cut back on the carbs a bit or pay closer attention to where those carbs are coming from.
It might also help to pay a visit to the maintainence forum for some tips on maintaining as well.
Congrats on your loss!
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