What am I doing wrong?

gothicbees

Hi!
I am 18, female, 5ft6in and about 105lbs. I exercise 5-6 days a week (HIIT 2x, Lifting 1-3x, and Cardio 1x) and walk about 8000 steps a day. On average, I eat 1200-1600 calories a day. Lately in the gym, I've noticed I've been having trouble lifting my normal weight and doing as high intensity as before. I worry I'm getting weaker or losing muscle mass. Is it possible I'm overtraining? What can I do to get my strength back and gain more muscle?

sardelsa

In order to gain muscle and weight, you need to be eating in a surplus. That calorie intake is very low for your stats and most likely is nowhere near the amount you would need to fuel your workouts and build muscle. Definitely start eating more. Either use MFP set to gain (and account for exercise calories) or another calorie calculator. If you still aren't gaining, keep adding calories every week (150 or so) until you are.

Muscle_for_Fitness

sardelsa wrote: »

In order to gain muscle and weight, you need to be eating in a surplus. That calorie intake is very low for your stats and most likely is nowhere near the amount you would need to fuel your workouts and build muscle. Definitely start eating more. Either use MFP set to gain (and account for exercise calories) or another calorie calculator. If you still aren't gaining, keep adding calories every week (150 or so) until you are.

Exactly this. Sounds like you are eating at a decent size deficit which will cause that in the gym.

stevet621

sardelsa wrote: »

In order to gain muscle and weight, you need to be eating in a surplus. That calorie intake is very low for your stats and most likely is nowhere near the amount you would need to fuel your workouts and build muscle. Definitely start eating more. Either use MFP set to gain (and account for exercise calories) or another calorie calculator. If you still aren't gaining, keep adding calories every week (150 or so) until you are.

Agreed!

trigden1991

With that much activity and such low calories, you are likely in a calorie deficit. Eat more or do less cardio.

blackcomaro

Agree with all the above... those cals are low comsidering your activity

ndj1979

psuLemon

sardelsa wrote: »

In order to gain muscle and weight, you need to be eating in a surplus. That calorie intake is very low for your stats and most likely is nowhere near the amount you would need to fuel your workouts and build muscle. Definitely start eating more. Either use MFP set to gain (and account for exercise calories) or another calorie calculator. If you still aren't gaining, keep adding calories every week (150 or so) until you are.

To add to this, it should also be noted that doing a lot of cardio and not really doing a lot of resistance training is a good plan to gain mostly fat. Following a well structured lifting program (like one of the ones in this list) is going to provide you the results you want.

JB035

My thoughts exactly.... you are not fueling your body enough to perform..

deannalfisher

for a reference point - 5'3", 148lbs and I take in 22-2500cal a day and I'm essentaining maintaining and I have a similar workout schedule