Increasing my daily calorie limit

jeniika

I was wondering if anyone here has had luck with increasing their daily calorie limit?
I want to go from 1200 to 1400 calories a day but it feels so wrong..

I'm a 5'2 woman with around 30 pounds to lose and I have a low TDEE as I'm quite sedentary. All calculations point to 1200 calories a day giving me a 1 pound a week weight loss.

However, after multiple attempts at 1200 a day, I just can't do this realistically and still have enough energy to get through the work day. I've tried all sorts of food combinations. I definitely lose weight at this number, but the hunger, low energy and headaches it gives makes me give up after a few weeks.

Any other people in this position who found 1200 (or whatever your recommended amount is) unbearable after a while? I will lose weight now eating 1400 calories, but it will be at a slower rate, and I'm worried I will plateau after 10 pounds or so and have to reduce again to 1200 anyway..

Panini911

it's not a problem to go slower in order to not feel hungry all the time. I would just change the rate of loss to 0.5lb/week. we want to lose weight and keep it off and the only way to do that is to be able to stick to it for the long haul.

are you selecting the appropriate actvity level? most people are NOT sedentary!

are you eating back a reasonable estimate of exercise calories for any purposeful exercise
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10503681/exercise-calories-do-i-eat-these-a-video-explanation/p1

Justin_7272

If you have 30 pounds to lose you will not plateau at 1400 calories any time soon.

The TDEE of a 5'2" 40 y/o sedentary female weighing 135 (top of BMI healthy range) is 1,483. So theoretically you wouldn't plateau until you are within a healthy BMI range.

Even at 50 y/o the TDEE is still above 1400, and if you're younger it will be even higher.

kimny72

Slow is better than stopped, so do what you have to do

You might get some inspiration from this thread, when you are a small female, adding even 50 calories to your NEAT can really help!

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10610953/neat-improvement-strategies-to-improve-weight-loss/p1

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etherealanwar

Setting your rate of loss to 0.5lbs/week will give you more calories and make this process more bearable so you can stick with it.

jeniika

Thank you all for the reassurance and tips I’m feeling better about my decision now.

I like the idea of having a range, it would give me a bit more flexibility. And I should definitely work on adding to my NEAT.

Wish I’d posted here sooner