Note: I originally published this in 2016. Yet, I think this article provides real value and wanted to bring more visibility to it, hence the date update to 2020.

For those of you who follow me on my Instagram (@honestlyfitness), you will know that I have been following Progress Pure’s (Molly aka @progresspure) Curve Guide. Remember my review? I have lost about 6% bodyfat as well as gained muscle and definition. I am now doing a mix of the Curve Guide, the Ready to Lift guide as well as random workouts I make up myself. It’s been an interesting couple of months, and I wanted to be really honest with you guys about my experience and to share with you what happens after you lose weight.

What Happens After You Lose Weight

1. You Have to Increase Your Calories

If you have lost weight and bodyfat, chances are you had reduced your caloric intake and were eating at a calorie deficit. You can’t be at a calorie deficit forever; for one thing, you’ll plateau despite eating less, and you will have to eat less and less to see results. 

I had to slowly increase my calories, literally by 100-150 calories every week (this is called reverse dieting), to make sure I was able to increase my calories yet not gain bodyfat. It was quite fun actually, because the extra food I was eating helped me put on some more muscle, yet not put on any fat. 

2. You Feel Anxious About Maintaining Your New Found Shape

I definitely went through periods where I was like, “Oh, I can eat whatever I want now!” before quickly reverting back to “Eek, I ate sooo badly and need to be extremely healthy for a few days!” Just being honest here, guys. I realize it’s stupid to fluctuate and eat tons one day, then green juices and lean protein the next. But that’s just how life is.

If I eat ‘badly’ for a few days, I freak out and try and eat super clean for the next few days as I get scared that I’ll undo all of my hard work. I’m only human and it’s easy to succumb to feeling like you’ll get fat overnight, when in reality, it takes weeks and weeks to put on a significant amount of bodyfat.

3. You Have to Learn to Adjust Your Training Routine

In the past when I have cut (fancy fitness term for losing bodyfat lol), and when I did PPCG, I incorporate a lot of cardio. I do both LISS cardio and HIIT cardio, and when I lift weights, I’ll do a higher amount of reps to keep my heartrate up. For PPCG, I started out with heavy weight and low reps and built up to higher reps and, still relatively, heavy weights.

Now that I am not actively looking to cut (although I might start cutting again next week after my birthday), I don’t need to do as much cardio. But, I’m a creature of habit and I tend to get a little nervous when I don’t do as much cardio. Again, the typical thoughts of “Will I get fat?” crept into my mind despite the rational side of me assuring myself that I would not get fat. It can be hard to adjust your training routine because change is scary! And you aren’t sure how the change will affect you, despite any assurances you will receive.

4. You Will Gain Weight Again

Okay, this isn’t a given, I get that. But the very first time I lost a lot of weight, about 4 years ago, I did gain the weight back. And it sucked. I had been working with a personal trainer as well as following a very low carb diet, which meant that I lost a lot of weight–fast. I loved how I looked but about 4 months later, I started to gain weight. I freaked out because I didn’t know what to do. I was still training and eating in exactly the same way but gaining weight. And do you know why? Because I had been eating at a deficit for such a long-time and my body was getting used to it.

This time around, I learned from my mistakes. A) I didn’t have a restricted diet. I ate what I wanted, within reason, and counted my macros. B) I slowly increased my calories after I had finished PPCG, which meant that my body had time to ‘recover’ and get back to a happy medium where I could eat more but still maintain my leaner body.

5. You Feel Like Giving Up

There are definitely days where I am like, UGH, why is it so hard? The early mornings and making the right choices can get hard. Don’t get me wrong; I absolutely love working out and feeding my body right, but there are days when I look at my friends and feel envious. “They’re eating whatever they want so why can’t I?” I’ll think.

But the thing is, everybody is different and while some people can eat whatever they want and not gain a single pound, I am not that girl. And quite frankly, I am proud of the work I put in and for making my health a priority. Which brings me to my final point …

6. You Learn the Importance of Being Healthy and Fit for LIFE

I’ve had a LOT of ups and downs. I’ve gained weight, I’ve lost weight, and I’ve maintained. I’ve dabbled in low-calorie diets, high-fat diets and have gone nuts on junk food. But one thing has remained constant ever since I started to seriously workout when I was 16–I have learned that I want to be fit and healthy. For LIFE. 

I feel so much better throughout the day after a tough workout, and like such a badass after hitting the weights. I love how my body feels when I’ve eaten a meal filled with color and so satisfied with having something as simple as fruit and Greek yogurt for a snack. While losing weight comes with it’s weird, negative side-effects, it comes with an incredible life lesson. The feeling that being strong and healthy is worth it. And that nothing good ever comes easy.

Honestly yours,
Alice

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