General question on calories
erincampbell9
Posts: 62 Member
I have have logged the last 65 days in a row, seriously logged everything. So I used to take the weekends off logging but I thought that might be where my problem was so I stuck to it for 65 days straight to get a true "maintenance" intake number. I am figuring this is maintenance since I haven't lost any weight in several months (since February) though I have lost inches (noticeable inches, a whole pant size).
My average for the 65 days is 1917 (my goal is 1600 but I eat back exercise calories, same at my TDEE - 15%) so this should be my true TDEE. So do I go up in calories to build more lean body mass and keep up with my lifting (I might not be fueling myself enough, I am really active with 3 kids, but do have a desk job) or go down in calories to lose fat faster...hhmm. Or keep doing what I am doing to lose fat and build muscle (getting smaller) but at a very slow rate...probably the slower the more maintainable in the long run, maybe?
My main goal is to lose this last 10 - 15 pounds; I have lost over 100 pounds in the last 3 or so years (82 on MFP). I do SL 3 days a week with light cardio on those days too, HITT and other kickboxing stuff or running on the other 2 days a week. I usually fit in one yoga workout a week too.
I am just looking for some general suggestions (I didn't fill out the form thing because I just want a general suggestion if that is okay). I don't weigh my food; don't deprive myself but eat about 85/15. I am just curious what you think in general?
Thanks!
ETA: I am female, 34 years old, weigh 158 lbs., 5'7"
My average for the 65 days is 1917 (my goal is 1600 but I eat back exercise calories, same at my TDEE - 15%) so this should be my true TDEE. So do I go up in calories to build more lean body mass and keep up with my lifting (I might not be fueling myself enough, I am really active with 3 kids, but do have a desk job) or go down in calories to lose fat faster...hhmm. Or keep doing what I am doing to lose fat and build muscle (getting smaller) but at a very slow rate...probably the slower the more maintainable in the long run, maybe?
My main goal is to lose this last 10 - 15 pounds; I have lost over 100 pounds in the last 3 or so years (82 on MFP). I do SL 3 days a week with light cardio on those days too, HITT and other kickboxing stuff or running on the other 2 days a week. I usually fit in one yoga workout a week too.
I am just looking for some general suggestions (I didn't fill out the form thing because I just want a general suggestion if that is okay). I don't weigh my food; don't deprive myself but eat about 85/15. I am just curious what you think in general?
Thanks!
ETA: I am female, 34 years old, weigh 158 lbs., 5'7"
0
Replies
-
Really it's up to you.
To lose you will need to be in a deficit....so what you are doing at maintenance won't get you that actual scale loss anytime soon. If you are happy with the results you are seeing by doing what you are doing, then keep doing that. If you are not at a BF% that you are happy with, then I don't know that eating at a surplus is the best option.
Good luck!0 -
Thanks, your right. That's just it I'm kind of torn between improving my lifting and still need to shed BF and I am like this last 10 pounds needs to come off...thank you.0
-
Really it's up to you.
To lose you will need to be in a deficit....so what you are doing at maintenance won't get you that actual scale loss anytime soon. If you are happy with the results you are seeing by doing what you are doing, then keep doing that. If you are not at a BF% that you are happy with, then I don't know that eating at a surplus is the best option.
Good luck!
^ Agreed.0 -
If you're losing inches then are you really at maintenance? It may not show on the scale (which shouldn't matter anyway) but you are obviously burning something. Personally, I'd rather drop the inches than the pounds, unless of course you are trying to look bigger.0
-
If she's not losing weight over a prolonged timeframe, then yes, her caloric intake matches her caloric expenditure and she is eating at a maintenance level. "Maintenance" means maintaining weight.If you're losing inches then are you really at maintenance? It may not show on the scale (which shouldn't matter anyway) but you are obviously burning something. Personally, I'd rather drop the inches than the pounds, unless of course you are trying to look bigger.0
