Short Girl (5'3") wondering if I am eating too little

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  • Unknown
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  • broox80
    broox80 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I'm 5'1 and eat about 1800 cals a day. I am also in my mid 30's and have a thyroid problem. I have lost almost 80 pounds and hope to lose 30 more. When I exercise more, my body needs more fuel. I pay special attention to my macros. I know people say a calorie is a calorie, blah blah blah, but for me, that doesnt work. I do treat myself, but when I am losing weight, I am exercising daily (intense for 30-40 min), drinking my water, and eating to fuel my body. I always feel great and have tons of energy. Lately I have been slacking and need to get my *kitten* in gear. I know people may disagree with me, cuz.....reasons....... but this method has helped me shed almost 80 pounds. Short girls rock!!!!!
  • blabrecque_xo
    blabrecque_xo Posts: 65 Member
    I'm also 5'3"

    SW: 163
    CW: 135
    GW: 125

    Since I started I've been eating around 1300-1400 calories a day, with lots of exercise.
  • quellybelly
    quellybelly Posts: 827 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    You're not gaining muscle, you're probably just not in a deficit.

    ^ this. You can't gain muscle unless you're eating MORE than you burn, which would be much more than you're currently eating. I also read your response that you've been lifting for half a week, which is not enough time to gain muscle either even if you were in a surplus. How are you tracking your calorie burns? You might be overestimating your calorie burns and eating more than you're realizing. How did you come up with 1600 cals as your number? Perhaps try the TDEE method to calculate a calorie goal and see how that works :)
  • irleshay
    irleshay Posts: 102 Member
    I'm 5'2 and in maintenance... lost at 1400 calories a day eating back all exercise calories, and maintaining at 1600. I'd say be patient. 1 pound in 3 weeks can be frustrating, but I only lost an average of 1 pound a week (sometimes it was zero) yet still got to the finish line. 1200 sounds low to me, especially if you don't eat back any exercise calories. Maybe try eating back half of them, and double-checking the accuracy of your logging. Good luck!
  • LeslieB042812
    LeslieB042812 Posts: 1,799 Member
    independant2406 wrote: »
    I'm 5ft 3.75 (and I usually round that number up... lol) but anyway I've been sticking with 1200 calories and losing pretty steadily (22.4lbs in about 2.5 months). I can lose weight at 1300-1400 calories but more slowly. I pretty much maintain at 1500 (which stinks). I don't exercise a lot but when I do I don't usually log or eat back the calories... I just take them as a bonus deficit. :smile:

    I highly recommend double checking everything you log with the package label + weighing (don't trust measuring cups/spoons) and/or by cross referencing with the USDA database. http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list

    With restaurant servings I kinda assume they're giving me a bigger portion than what they list on their website... If I can't verify the size by weighing I usually leave a little (maybe 10% of the meal) on my plate just to be safe. Or I leave an extra 50-100 calories "unused" at the end of the day if I'm unsure about anything I've logged

    Its pretty shocking how totally off some of the calculations that pop up in MFP are so don't trust them till you've physically checked them to be sure they're correct!

    Keep working at it you'll do great!

    ^^^^^^THIS!!!!
    I'm 5'2" and weigh a little less than you. I'm currently averaging around 1200/day (between 1100 and 1300 on any given day) with occasional (like once or twice a week) "splurge days" of around 1500-1700 and I'm losing about a pound/week. This is more than I ever have before! I've found that maintenance for me is around 1700 calories/day. So, I think you're eating a bit too much. I've found it's easier to feel full if I focus on whole foods with high protein. Good luck!

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