Re-adjusting my goals and practices

GMAC2016

I have been on this for several weeks now, eating far, far below my required amounts (sometimes as few as 600 cals per day). Often to make up for bad days on weekends.

But I know that this is not sustainable, I know about potential stones etc. At least genetics took away my hair a long time ago so I don't have to worry about that.

So I am going to try hard to up my calories to 1890 (MFP prescribed amount for 2 lbs loss at lightly active).

Just thought I would start a string to post how this feels/compares to what I was doing before and see how it goes. I do know I will need to be more careful about cheat days. In the past I may have a dozen beers on a Saturday and still make up the difference the rest of the week. Can't do that for sure.

My goal is to get to 200, start lifting again and build back 20 in muscle to end at 220. That seems a good weight for my body. I don't care what BMI says, I doubt I will ever get out of overweight on that thing. I'm the wide shouldered, short legged type, never had an issue putting on muscle etc but I'm older now.

Since some may ask, my stats are 45, male, 258 lbs, 5' 11" (10.5 really...).

GMAC2016

Well, first comment is that it doesn't feel right to be at the limit. I have a hard time getting beyond 1500 unless there is beer involved. Then 3 or 4000 isn't out of the question. Which just leads to beer guilt and back to sub-1890 days. It's a vicious circle.

FrankieandSpots

Do you think its worth putting a minimun calorie limit?
Like 1200 for example? (And all of that from food?)
It might help preserve lean mass and you'd still be able to shuffle lots of calories to weekend days if you needed.
If you made it a firm limit you would have to commit to organising your calories 'better' or losing weight more slowly (and on that kind of deficit theres a lot of room to mess up a bit and still lose some).

Anyway, hood luck and keep us posted

GMAC2016

I think 1500 is supposed to be the minimum for a guy which is what I have been trying to do. But it's a good idea. Work stress has been pretty bad lately which doesn't help. I just don't feel like I am making much progress unless I am way below the limit.

charlieandcarol

Your goal seems to be to lose fat and get muscles but your strategy of low calorie eating (and therefore less building blocks for keeping the muscles you have) and then drinking large amounts of nutrionally void beer is counter productive to your goals.

You could eat plenty of protein and healthful fats (olive oil, nuts, avos etc) to get your food calorie count up.

Do you really need to drink all those cals in beer? If it is a lifestyle thing maybe you need to have a look at what you want more, to be healthy weight with muscular strength or to drink lots of beer on the weekend?? A few beers can be part of a healthy lifestyle but it doesn't sound like you have only a few?? I know many guys who lost a lot of weight just be removing or seriously cutting back on the amount of beer they drank and making no other diet or exercise changes.

STEVE142142

You're hurting your body if you're starving yourself. Trustee the mfp numbers. What you have to remember is this is a lifetime journey and a lifestyle change it's not a diet. The habits you develop now will determine whether you fail or succeed and by depriving yourself of stuff you like and binging other times it'll hurt you in the long run

I've lost 60 pounds since the beginning of the year just going by the MFP recommendations for my weight and activity level. I also haven't given up anything.

saires_au

I'm currently eating 100 cal less on weekdays to give me an extra 500 on weekends. So 1750/day split 1650 M-F and 2000 sat/sun. It means I can have a glass or two of wine or eat out or a dessert when I'm socialising on the weekend.

I agree with the suggestions of having a daily minimum goal and trying to either change your drinking habits by limiting volume/alternating water and beer or trying a light or non alcoholic beer. I've found a lighter wine I enjoy for 1/2 the calories (and alcohol!)

Good luck

trigden1991

Weekly average is your friend here. If you know you're going to drink and/or binge at the weekends then reduce calories in the week. Your weekly deficit can still remain!