Time for a break?

keithcw_the_first
keithcw_the_first Posts: 382 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm trying the whole leangains average weekly calories thing and I'm really struggling. Eating slightly under maintenance on training days and eating well below maintenance on rest days is arduous. My energy is sapped.

I was having a hard time at 1800/day (more on workout days). I've lost weight before -- and I usually gain about half of it back so it's been several years of very slow progress.

This time though, I feel like I'm just totally tapped out. Usually the next step is saying "nah" and then ignoring calorie counting until the scale is back up ten or 15 pounds.

I'm trying to avoid that, I'm trying to put on muscle, I'm starting to think I'm going to have to stop trying to cut fat for a little while.

I can open up my diary or whatever; I'm not clear on that.

I'm averaging about 2100 cal a day (over a week, like i said) with most days at around 1800.

6' 0" M 193#

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    You won't put on muscle eating in a deficit.
  • keithcw_the_first
    keithcw_the_first Posts: 382 Member
    Yep, I get that. I'm not trying to; I'm trying to cut about 2% BF (trying to hit that magic 10%) which works out to roughly 7 lbs. assuming I don't lose any lean mass.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    keithcw_the_first wrote: »
    Yep, I get that. I'm not trying to; I'm trying to cut about 2% BF (trying to hit that magic 10%) which works out to roughly 7 lbs. assuming I don't lose any lean mass.

    I'm just going by what you said in your OP?
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    It's possible that your deficit is larger than your calculations suggest (meaning that your TDEE is higher than calculated) and that could be tapping you out in energy. Try adding 200 calories a day and see how that helps your energy levels and affects the scale. Even if it keeps you in maintenance for a few weeks, you're not really set back on your progress that much ... less of a setback than if you just quit and let the scale rise again :wink: Anyway, it might be worth a try.
  • keithcw_the_first
    keithcw_the_first Posts: 382 Member
    Right you are. Like I said - I'm a little fuzzy. I believe what I meant is that I'm going to have to start trying to put on muscle. I can't do that in a deficit.

    So it might be time to re-evaluate my goals and go from losing fat to gaining muscle.
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