Well, now I'm just confused. >.<

MzManiak

Yes, I know it's been discussed to death. Sorry, if I am just not catching on. I've been here almost 2 weeks and at first MFP set my calories to 1200 to lose 1 pound per week. My goal is not really to lose weight, per say, but to lose about 3% body fat. I figured the only way to tone up was to cut down on the calories (and get some cardio & weights in there somewhere).

Then I read all this stuff about eating 1200 being bad for you... so, ok, maybe 1 pound per week is too much. Changed it to only 0.5 pound per week (the lowest setting not maintaining) and it was only 1240...

Whatever... Now I thought, well, I better calculate my BMR (1021) and my TDEE (or NEAT, I guess, since I'd rather calculate it using just my desk job and then eat the exercise calories when I get the chance to work out) which was only 1225.

Someone please give advice on what I should be doing. I just want to get rid of my baby fat and tone up!!
Thank you in advance! :drinker:

Ashleyxjamie

First off, you look great in your photo! My advice to you is to experiment with your calories. Try eating 1200 a day. Eat back some exercise calories if you work out. If nothing changes try eating 1300 a day. But please do not go any lower than 1200 a day or your body will retain fat and be in "starvation mode". I eat around 1300 if I don't work out or between 1300-1700 if I do and it works for me

jonnythan

Where did you determine your BMR is 1021? That's ridiculously low. For your age, a 4'6 woman who is 85 pounds is above 1100.

What's your height/weight?

missshyeviolett

Yea that BMR doesn't sound correct at all.

jzammetti

I agree with the previous poster - 1024 sounds really low for BMR. i am 5'2" and mine is 1303. My TDEE -13% is 2000 calories per day and that is what i eat to lose weight.

If you do it the NEAT way (I think this is the MFP method?) then make sure you eat back all of your exercise calories.

kikicooks

If you are not trying to lose weight then I would eat at maintenance or slightly below and focus on heavy lifting.
Your BMR and TDEE estimates sound low to me.

bonitacash08

Yeah I'm 24, 5'4" and my BMR is over 1500. If you're only concerned about body fat and not weight, you can eat a LOT more and find a good heavy lifting program. That will give you the results you want.

MzManiak

Where did you determine your BMR is 1021? That's ridiculously low. For your age, a 4'6 woman who is 85 pounds is above 1100.

What's your height/weight?

Oh, thank goodness. See? I must not be doing something right. lol Currently 112.4 pounds/ 61 inches (5'1")

MzManiak

Yeah I'm 24, 5'4" and my BMR is over 1500. If you're only concerned about body fat and not weight, you can eat a LOT more and find a good heavy lifting program. That will give you the results you want.

How do you find a lifting program? I would love to get into it... but have no idea where to start. I've hired PTs before, and they didn't seem to help much for the price.

Michaelsdin

Yea i would say work around 1300 calories with weight lifting and lite cardio? Not a fitness expert by no means but from what i read you gotta find the = medium that your body responds to.

Michaelsdin

Yeah I'm 24, 5'4" and my BMR is over 1500. If you're only concerned about body fat and not weight, you can eat a LOT more and find a good heavy lifting program. That will give you the results you want.

How do you find a lifting program? I would love to get into it... but have no idea where to start. I've hired PTs before, and they didn't seem to help much for the price.

bodybuilding.com top left corner pick a plan free personal trainers with usually good advice.

bonitacash08

Yeah I'm 24, 5'4" and my BMR is over 1500. If you're only concerned about body fat and not weight, you can eat a LOT more and find a good heavy lifting program. That will give you the results you want.

How do you find a lifting program? I would love to get into it... but have no idea where to start. I've hired PTs before, and they didn't seem to help much for the price.

I've read New Rules of Lifting for Women and the book was really informative but I found the workouts to be, well, involved. There are a lot of women who really love it though so it's definitely worth trying.

The program I'm currently following is Stronglifts 5x5. There's a group here for women following the program:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

and one of the members was so kind as to write out a summary of the plan here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

Another one I've heard good things about is Starting Strength, another book.

kikicooks

Yeah I'm 24, 5'4" and my BMR is over 1500. If you're only concerned about body fat and not weight, you can eat a LOT more and find a good heavy lifting program. That will give you the results you want.

How do you find a lifting program? I would love to get into it... but have no idea where to start. I've hired PTs before, and they didn't seem to help much for the price.

bodybuilding.com top left corner pick a plan free personal trainers with usually good advice.

This is a great site, I've heard great things about Jamie Eason's program. You could also look into New Rules of Lifting for Women and Strong Lifts.

Mokey41

You don't need to lose weight, you need to build muscle to replace BF. Eating at a deficit won't achieve that. Find a good lifting program and incorporate some cardio into your program.

Samenamenewlook

The New Rules of Lifting for Women is a really good program. I got it on my Kindle ... it gives you a good 6 month routine and a food plan. Good luck!

bonitacash08

Your maintenance is between 1800 and 2200, depending on your activity level. http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/ is an AMAZING site that will help you figure out what your goals are.

darwinwoodka

No, the way to tone up is to lift a bunch of weights. ;^)

Some_Watery_Tart

For lifting, I just started Lift Like a Girl by Nia Shanks. She explains things really well. She has a website with a blog that has a couple beginner routines in it that could get you started.

SabrinaLC

Eat fresh whole foods, mostly plants. Drink lots of water.

Watch your sodium intake.
Don't count calories unless you think you're eating too much. But 1200 may be fine for you. It depends on your body, metabolism and daily activity.

jennorris1991

Great! I will be using this site! Thanks

jonnythan

Where did you determine your BMR is 1021? That's ridiculously low. For your age, a 4'6 woman who is 85 pounds is above 1100.

What's your height/weight?

Oh, thank goodness. See? I must not be doing something right. lol Currently 112.4 pounds/ 61 inches (5'1")

Your BMR is somewhere near 1300.

Sedentary TDEE is around 1550.

If I were you, I'd set my calorie goal at 1250 and eat back exercise calories. Get at least 90 grams of protein and 35 grams of fat a day. Do Stronglifts 3x a week, some cardio 1-3 times a week. Done.