Looking for some advice and stories!

amahna88

Hello I just found this group a week ago and have been lurking around trying to decide if I want to attempt the EM2WL lifestyle. Here is my background - I was a restrictive eater from age 19-22, weighed about 150-155, at 5'7", during that whole time and could never lose weight. Then I went through some significant life changes and as a result of stress, basically didn't eat for a month and dropped to 130. After getting my life (and diet) back on track, I maintained at 135-140 for a little over a year. I started gaining a little weight out of no where, and freaked out because I didn't want to get back up to 155. So I began to cut calories like crazy again, eating only 800-1000 a day. Obviously, as many of us know, I couldn't maintain this, and I would go on massive binges every 10 days or so...which then led to bulimia. I was bulimic for about 6 months, until one day I felt as if I woke from this dream state, and saw what I was doing to my body, and I quit overnight. I started eating healthy, and haven't binged or purged since...but managed to gain 30 pounds in the first 2 months after bulimia. For almost the past 2 years, I've sat around 165, and cannot shake this weight. I used to be an avid runner, and even ran a marathon last May. But, as I live overseas now in a country where it's not super safe to be out running alone as a woman, I stopped most cardio since September, and just workout 3x a week lifting weights with the Turbulence Training workouts (a mixture of weight training, HIIT and intervals, 30 - 40 minutes per session). I also try to fit in either an Insanity workout or bodyweight workout at home 1 or 2x a week. I've never lifted before, but I LOVE IT so much. In the past 3 months since I started, I see insane growth in my strength. But, the weight still hasn't budged. I think in the first few weeks, I definitely dropped inches on my leg, but I wasn't measuring, so I can't be sure how much. The losing inches seems to even be at a halt now, because nothing has fit different for the past 2 months. Which is why I am considering trying this EM2WL thing So, my current calorie consumption is around 1500-1700/day. I know, according to the TDEE, I should be eating more, and I'm planning on upping to 1800 for the next few weeks. I am not sure if I need to do a metabolic reset, because I think I accidentally did it already...the entirety of last year, I didn't calorie count and ate probably around 2000-2200 a day, probably even more some days (gained 5 pounds at the beginning of the year but lost it by the end). So I'm not quite sure where I'm at in this process. Really, what I'm hoping for is to hear from some people who have seen positive results with this lifestyle, and what their advice to me is. I know, I could search the forum boards for stories, but I have restrictive internet, and just don't have time to do that. So people...stories? Encouragement? Positive results? Thanks in advance!

Jennbecca33

Hi there and welcome to the group! Glad you found us. I love EM2WL and have lost nearly 40lbs this past year following it. Here is a link to my story if you're interested in reading it.

http://eatmore2weighless.com/jennys-inspiring-em2wl-success-story/

I think I've lost about 10lbs more since writing that testimony.

So if you've been consistently eating 2000-2200 cals this past year, that basically would have been a reset probably, although you probably could have gone even higher in calories even and still maintained, depending on your activity level. So you don't know for sure what your true TDEE is yet. Not sure how long you've been at 1500-1700, but that isn't way too low, so you'd probably be okay going with a small deficit - no more than 15% for fat loss. Increase your calories slowly to help your body adjust more easily. Sometimes there can be initial gains, mostly water, when increasing calories - that's normal - but it will go away. You may not see scale/inch progress right away as you need to give your body time to adjust to in the increase in calories. Did you use the Scooby site to calculate your TDEE? We usually recommend this one:

http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

Also, keep in mind when using Scooby, you need to include your daily activity as well (outside of formal workouts). So for example, if you are on your feet a lot through the day, you are already at lightly active, then add your workouts on top of that. It's really important to choose the correct activity level...it's common for people to choose too low of an activity level which causes them to still under eat.

I hope this helps! Add me for support if you like and post back with any other questions.

amahna88

Wow. Thank you so much for sharing your story! How encouraging. Congratulations, too, for the massive weight loss!

I was almost entirely inactive throughout last year...well, I walked almost every day, but nothing strenuous at all, and spent must if my time in classroom settings (I.e. sitting on my butt ). And I've been at the 1500-1700 deficit for about 3 months now. So, according to the Scooby calculator, I need 2400 just to maintain, and 2000 to lose at a 15% deficit. I know it seems everyone says this, but I'm really freaked out about eating that much and gaining even more weight. I never weigh myself because it can be too triggering, but I'm bracing myself for the initial weight gain as my body adjusts. How long on average can it take to start seeing the weight stop adding on after upping calories?

Also, from what I've gathered from reading around, I should slowly up my caloric intake every week, by about 100 calories/week, until I get to 2000? What about macronutrients? What should the split be and how concerned do I need to be about hitting those? Thanks so much for answering my questions!

Jennbecca33

Yes, increase slowly - say 1600 calories for a week or two and then 1700 for a week or two. You can go as slow as you want which can also help the mental aspect of adding calories. It does seem like a lot, I know! I felt the same way when I first started increasing calories. But it's wonderful to be able to eat more freely and your hunger will increase as well and you'll begin to want/need to eat more to satisfy your hunger level. It really varies from person to person. I actually lost weight immediately when I started increasing calories, but I think for most people, they should expect some initial water weight and puffiness which will subside and go away. Since you haven't had an extremely low calorie intake (ex: 1000-1200), then your body may respond more positively at first. Either way, take it slow and if it helps, stay off the scale completely for the first month.

For macros, we suggest 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat. Protein is really important as it will help you retain your muscle as you lose weight. Work into the macros. You don't have to stress about them initially. I personally just try to hit my protein macro or at least focus on getting in 100g of protein a day and let the other macros fall into place. Others are more diligent in meeting macros, but for me personally, if I stress about it too much, I don't do as well. But again, the protein is the most important to focus on. Carbs are important for energy also, so don't shy away from them.

Hope I've answered all your questions! You can also visit the EM2WL website forums for additional support. There's a great group of ladies over there! Here's the link:

http://forums.eatmore2weighless.com/