Want abs to show once in my life

mikeken76

I recently just joined this app. I think it’s great but it suggested a 1500 calorie diet for me. I am a 6,1 and 250llb male. I change my goal to 2100 calories. I work out 5 to 6 days a week. I’m pretty toned everywhere except belly. The last 7 days I have been under the 2100 goal but have felt some low energy. Trying to avoid the carbs as much as possible and can’t seem to get the more protien than carbs ratio going correctly. Looking for a 2 week easy prep diet to follow very strictly. Never in my life focused on a diet but here I am bout to be 47 in 30 days trying it.

Retroguy2000

You do know that calorie estimate doesn't include your workout calories?

sollyn23l2

It'll take more than 2 weeks, and it won't be easy. And if you're low energy now, it'll get worse before you see abs. But, it can be done. Just be prepared to continue in a calorie deficit for a few months.

AnnPT77

Low energy is a bad sign.

You may be one of the people who needs somewhat more carbs in order to have a good energy level: It happens. Carbs aren't evil, or any kind of problem unless diabetic/insulin resistant; as long as one doesn't eat so many of them that one can't get enough protein and fats (both essential nutrients) within calorie goal. Many people will feel more full if they choose carbs like fruits, veggies and whole grains, vs. more highly processed and less nutrient-dense carb sources.

Perhaps 2100 is still too aggressive for you? You haven't really said enough for us to be able to evaluate that (age, job, etc.). If you have only a small amount of remaining fat, it can be a good idea to lose slowly, for various reasons. At 6'1", 250 could vary in how much fat mass you have and what your overall body shape is (i.e., stuff like broad shoulders vs. narrow), so I'm not sure where you think a good goal weight would be - you could still have a fair amount to lose, or not.

I hope you're eating back exercise calories on top of the 2100? With a 5-6 day a week workout schedule, at your size - though I don't know your age - you could have a maintenance calorie level around as much as 3000-3300 with the exercise in the picture, possibly more depending on your job and such. 2100 gross intake could be a pretty big calorie deficit, and that alone can tank your energy.

MFP suggests a calorie goal based on how fast you told it you want to lose. Since you got 1500 initially, the minimum for a man, I'm wondering if you told it you want to lose 2 pounds a week. Maybe think slower, but more manageable? Low energy is a warning sign.

How much protein are you trying to get? A gram per pound of goal weight or thereabouts should be OK, maybe a little more, but no need to go crazy. If we said 200g daily, that's 800 calories of protein daily, which ought to be manageable even with 2100 calories, for an omnivore.

There are calorie-efficient protein source ideas in this thread:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10247171/carbs-and-fats-are-cheap-heres-a-guide-to-getting-your-proteins-worth-fiber-also

Best wishes!

neanderthin

A lot of work for someone where lower body fat especially midsection has never exposed abs and more work keeping them, but I hear ya. If your burning carbs for fuel, then don't muck with it, eat carbs to fuel your body. If your trying to lower carbs and experiencing low energy, it's probably the blood sugar swings because your not getting enough carbs in a timely manner or generally your not burning ketones efficiently yet, and/or your not addressing your electrolytes properly. Ketone burners generally have no energy dips or feel low energy, on the contrary, and if it was the case it's something else, like fasting or forgetting to eat. Pick one, carbs or ketones imo.

yirara

What all the others said: But just as a note: You likely got 1500 calories because you wanted to lose 2lbs per week or something similar. For men, the lowest you'll get is 1500, and it shows up if you've chosen a too aggressive weightloss goal. It doesn't mean you'll lose at that rate though. The website just tries to protect you from doing too stupid things

tomcustombuilder

Carbs give you energy so don’t go too low as there is no reason to do so. Regardless, very little will happen in 2 weeks.