Confused About Upping Cals

megsi474

In the last few weeks, I've rededicated myself to eating well (and at home), exercising regularly and just in the last week, incorporating at home dumbbell workouts for strength training after banishing my wimpy 3 and 5 lb. weights and pushing myself, even though I'm on the low scale since I'm just starting out. I've been reading different threads and theories and articles and am still all over the place in regard to daily cals.

I've done 1200. I've upped it probably a laughable amount to 1450. I've gone back down. I've used MFP's TDEE, I've gotten completely different numbers from other calculators. As it stands, I'm not focused so much on my weight. I've been skinny fat most of my life when I'm not just plain overweight. I'd like to be slimmer and a lot stronger and am not sure where to aim on the calorie scale to do that. Obviously, whatever it is, there needs to be a deficit but I find myself way over on fat with a decent amount of protein (I try to be at least 100g a day). I guess I'm just looking for some suggestions from those who are further into their health, wellness and strength journeys than I.

As for numbers- I'm 35 years old, 147 lbs and am 5'6". As I said, I'm a tragic novice at the strength training and have never had a measurable amount of upper body strength so my current workout is challenging at rep 8 with 10# weights. I do burpees, push ups, squats, rows, lunges, shoulder presses and curls with 20 minutes cardio every other day with 30 minutes cardio and some ab and calf workouts on the other days with Sunday as a rest day.

elvensnow

I recommend this because I just found out about it and already love it (though I'm not very far in the program so I can't attest to its efficacy but there a ton of people on the boards who have). It's a book called "New Rules of Lifting for Women" and if you want to "get in shape" then I say start here. The books a great read, and it details a weight lifting workout that could take you anywhere from 6 months or more to finish (it's serious business).

But basically I am an advocate of eating more calories than most women would think (TDEE). And strength is really a vital part of being healthy. I think most women OD on cardio, and unless you're just one of the lucky ones who thins out like that I don't think it's for everyone. Cardio certainly doesn't cut it for me!

megsi474

But basically I am an advocate of eating more calories than most women would think (TDEE). And strength is really a vital part of being healthy. I think most women OD on cardio, and unless you're just one of the lucky ones who thins out like that I don't think it's for everyone. Cardio certainly doesn't cut it for me!

I definitely don't get results with just cardio. It's just me and my muffin top flappin' in the wind with very little else happening. I'll look into the book, thank you. Slow and steady will definitely win this race, I just want to make sure I'm fueled the entire way.