Looking for opinions on my calories

smwooley

I posted this on my profile, but apparently almost all of my friends are busy celebrating Memorial Day :-) So, thought I'd post here for any insights you people may have. I started off at 1200 calories, lost the first week but then started to gain. Upped my calories to 1400 then weight loss slowed again so upped it to 1500. Ate at 1500 plus all my exercise calories for a month. Did great the first 2 weeks, gained week 3, then just lost a tiny bit this week. Well, I was wanting to up my calories and do true TDEE-20% when I got back from vacation mid-June, but I think I may have to do it earlier. I've been working out pretty hard (as evidenced by my sore muscles after everytime) and I have just been exhausted and still not feeling right. My BMR is 1490 and my TDEE is either 2049 (1-3 hrs of exercise a week) or 2310 (3-5 hrs of exercise a week). (In general, I lift weights 3 times a week for 45 min, do elliptical for 45 min 3 times a week, then walk 1-2 times a week for 45 min). (Oh, to make things more complicated - NROLFW has my BMR at 1401, nonworkout food at 1681, and workout days food at 1961). Any opinions?

srk369

I think the numbers come out about the same. The NROLFW at 5 days of workout (assuming walking 1-2 extra days a week) is about 1841-1881 average per day vs TDEE-20% of 1848. It all depends on if you like to vary your calories or have a set point to get to each day. I have a set goal of 1600 per day because that is easier but if my run is longer than I planned or I workout a little extra, I like to add a few calories to my day. Good luck upping your calories!!

mimieon

I think it may be easier to take your TDEE for 'sedentary' minus 20%, and then eat back your exercise calories. Much easier to keep track if your activity varies a lot, especially since myfitnesspal is set up conveniently for this.

Also, do you have a heart rate monitor? You may be burning more calories with your exercise than you realise.

smwooley

I think it may be easier to take your TDEE for 'sedentary' minus 20%, and then eat back your exercise calories. Much easier to keep track if your activity varies a lot, especially since myfitnesspal is set up conveniently for this.

Also, do you have a heart rate monitor? You may be burning more calories with your exercise than you realise.

That's basically what I did...without going below my BMR. And it worked for the first couple of weeks, but now it's stalled. Last time I upped my calories I started losing again, so I'm hoping that will work this time as well. I have a heart rate monitor, but it's an old one and doesn't tell calories burned. I was thinking of getting the BodiaMedia.

mimieon

I have no experience with bodymedia, but I can recommend the Polar FT40 as a heart rate monitor. Not too expensive,and has an approximation for your vo2max (basically fitness test) that helps calculating the amount of calories burnt a bit more accurately.

xampx

I would carry on as you are. a stall after 2-3 weeks is nothing. Keep at it for another 2-3 weeks before thinking about changing

SusanaLdn

I think it may be easier to take your TDEE for 'sedentary' minus 20%, and then eat back your exercise calories. Much easier to keep track if your activity varies a lot, especially since myfitnesspal is set up conveniently for this.

Also, do you have a heart rate monitor? You may be burning more calories with your exercise than you realise.

I have no experience with bodymedia, but I can recommend the Polar FT40 as a heart rate monitor. Not too expensive,and has an approximation for your vo2max (basically fitness test) that helps calculating the amount of calories burnt a bit more accurately.

I'd go with everything here. I also have the Polar FT40 and it's been working pretty well for me - it's me who's been cheating too much Also, I'm happy to read a post which doesn't question upping calories and just generally moaning about. Good luck with your journey!

vicksg1973

Hi. I would recommend Body Media. I had one for many years and absolutely love the clarity and accuracy of the information it gives on your workouts. I've changed to FitBit One but only because I needed a change to re-motivate.