Will I gain weight transitioning from a cut to maintence?

[ironwill2008]

So I’ve just finished a pretty agressive cut where I lost about 8kg in just over 5 weeks. However, I’ve heard some people say that you’ll quickly gain back about 1-2kg of weight when you transition from a cut to maintence simply because your glycogen stores will be filled up again and your water weight will increase.

Is this true and would it then be best to cut down to about 2kg less than my goal weight and then start eating at maintenance so that I still end up back at my weight goal once my glycogen stores are refilled?

Also, how would I then go about finding my maintenance?

 

[charliemedeina]

I think everyone's body reacts differently. I was really worried about this, but my experience of eating at maintenance for about a month is that I fluctuate about 0.5kg - up and down.

As for figuring out maintenance, I used a TDEE calculator, and it had me at 1900. But I was still losing weight, so I'm currently at 2100 and holding steady weight-wise. You'll need to play around a little depending on your results!

 

[Trillx]

To prevent this, consider doing a reverse diet. Depending on your deficit calories, slowly add back more calories. For example, if you were at a 500-calorie deficit, add back 250 calories in the first week and the remaining 250 calories in the second week.

 

[makeannnnee]

Yes, increasing your calories to maintenance can lead to water weight gain, especially with a higher carb intake

 

[MatcoIndustry]

that's true. I like to lose an extra 5 for that reason.

 

[ReubenAryiku]

There are several factors at play. Mostly, there's an increase in water weight due to higher intake, but also, there's simply a much higher amount of material in your intestines.

 

[alexzo114]

I would honestly stop fixating on 1-2kg of weight. Instead, look in the mirror and see if you are where you want to be. If you reach that point, slowly increase your calories.