Muscle and Calories

SkaterGirl704

I just have a quick question. I am losing an inch a week, but I am trying to get a muscular toned look, not big, but definition. I lift 4x/weekly working my way up to heavy. Right now I lift 20lbs. I eat roughly 1400 calories/daily, sometimes 2000. I do cardio 6x/weekly for an hour. If I am 5 ft 5, and 105, how much calories should I be eating and burning per day to keep my muscle. Remember I don't want to get big, just look defined. I know I have to lift heavy but I am working on that. I do eat healthy as well. Just would like to know should I just eat 1200/1400 calories a day, or should I ramp it to 2000 a day, at the same time burning about 200/400 per workout. any help would be appreciated.

I still want to do cardio as well, cause when I don't I find myself heavier and flabbier.

yarwell

BMI = 17.5 so presumably you aren't looking to lose weight but just to improve body composition, I would think you should be eating for maintenance somewhere around 1600-1700 calories depending on your actual RMR (as opposed to predicted).

Higher protein intake up to 35% of calories is generally protective of muscle.