How do you know if you need to eat more?

cpede

I'm on week 4 of Insanity and I love it. The first week I followed the Insanity diet which called for me eating 2100 calories per day to achieve 1-2 lbs of weight loss per week. Many of these calories were in the form of extra protein. It felt like way too much food, so after the first week I switched to the MFP plan of 1200 calories + whatever I burn exercising (which has worked for me in the past). In the 3 weeks since I started Insanity, I have lost 8 3/4 inches and I can definitely see a difference in my body, but I haven't lost weight. So, how do I know if I need to just wait longer for weight loss or if I need to eat more? Also, how do you convince yourself it's okay to eat more? I'm so afraid I'll gain!

grimendale

Patience, grasshopper. Insanity is intense, so your muscles retain water as part of the repair cycle. You are losing inches, so you are losing fat. Don't obsess over the scale. If you have lost fat, why do you care whether the scale has changed? On a side note, if the food guide is recommending 2100 and you are only eating 1500, you might be setting yourself up for a crash. Insanity is tough, and it doesn't get easier. Your body needs fuel to keep up for another month and a half of this. I was eating over 3000 calories and still losing major inches (and never lost a pound).