After successfully losing 130 lbs my body needed a break. It was a grinding 13 years and it took its toll. At my lowest point, I was only averaging 1,900 calories which was brutal.

Last fall I started using the Carbon Diet App (I am in no way affiliated with it and pay just like everyone else). It helped me lose the last 6-7 lbs I was looking to take off to stay under 200 lbs. I’m a numbers guy and don’t need someone to hold my hand, so I loved it.

When I was done I knew my body needed a change. So I changed my goal from “Weight Loss” to the “Reverse Diet” setting. There were different options for your weight gain tolerance and I set mine to the most minimal.

For the first four to six weeks there was minimal weight gain and a really nice increase in calories. However, as the weeks crept along, so did my weight. I honestly started to panic.

I’m quite sure everyone who has ever taken off a significant amount of weight thought they’d never put it back on. I could tell my body wasn’t quite as sharp as it had been. Then there was the scale to contend with.

For whatever reason, I have my comfort lunk alarm set to 120 lbs lost which is a bodyweight of 208.5 lbs. Then a few weeks ago I saw 209 on my scale and freaked. I had to talk myself down.

Over a year ago I had put 3,000 calories a day as a goal for myself and thought that was a pipe dream. Now I’m here and trying to sabotage myself because I am worried about some arbitrary number I made up in my head.

Finally, I told myself what I am doing right now is healthy for my body. The calories will continue to go up if I let them. This will set me up for even greater success next time I want to get a little leaner.

It took me 12 years to lose 130 lbs. It took me 3 years to go from a 585 raw bench to 600. I never questioned those journeys, so I shouldn’t question this. Trust the process!