Calorie Count needs to go... UP?!

techcoast

So, I've heard a lot about calorie count and I was starting to realize that my body wasn't reacting to the constant work outs and paying attention to what I'm eating. I've also noticed that for the first time in my life I was getting a little light-headed now and then. A buddy of mine said I wasn't eating enough (even though the FP said I should be taking in only 1500, I bumped it up to 1800) and now I'm thinking about bumping up AGAIN to 2000. Thoughts? Experiences?

I should mention I drink a ton of water (roughly a gallon a day) and I'm eating lean meats, vegies, low - no carbs at night and moderate during the day. I'm at 235 right now I'd like to get down to 200. (or less) Thanks folks!

purple180

Try this website: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/ and plug in your information. It may help you soon.

geebusuk

It does sound like that would help - constant workouts and 1500 calories doesn't sound ideal.
I weigh less than you and eat around 1500 calories on rest days, with 2500 or so on workout days and may still have to up it a bit more as I've found myself losing faster than I really wanted to!

LaurenAOK

What are your stats? Age/weight/height/how active are you? It depends on all those factors... the scoobys workshop link someone gave you above is a great place to figure out how much to eat.

mjkitkat

Have you entered in all the exercise you do into the food and exercise journal? When I do it subtracts the calories I burned in a work out from my daily calorie goal letting me know I can/should eat more. It's nice because sometimes that extra set of push ups I do in the morning works out to me treating myself to a small dessert after dinner.

livingleanlivingclean

Macros are also important. You need protein, fats and carbs....you mention lean meats and vegies. What about fat? How many carbs are you getting from your vegies? I eat loads (mountains) of vegies and fruit and most of my carbs are from them. Occasionally I have rice, and I have a bit of honey/jam.....

Hlemon1

I have been going through the same battle. I just upped my calories today from net 1500 to net 1800 and am playing with my "pie" for carbs, protein and fat. I'm looking to lose just a little weight, but I weight train and do HIIT type workouts 6 days a week and have been feeling light headed too on just 1500. I use this as a guide to eat cleaner and watch my calories. Of the extra 300 calories I gave myself today, I only ate 210 and feel much more satisfied. I think the main goal is the quality of your calories and making sure it's enough to fuel you for your level of training/workouts. Good luck!

shenikkafitb435

I have a question. Do you eat more calories after you exercise. It tells me to eat more but I don't. Kind of scared and not hungry anymore at all.

geebusuk

I have a question. Do you eat more calories after you exercise. It tells me to eat more but I don't. Kind of scared and not hungry anymore at all.

It depends on various things.
For instance, if you only have a small deficit setup (say 250 calories, which would be looking for .5lb a week loss), then it's not a big thing if you burn 400 calories and don't eat them back.

However, if you're low weight already and have a 1000 calorie deficit setup, then do 700 calories of exercise, it's asking for your body to be burning muscle as well as fat.

shenikkafitb435

Thanks. I need to lose about 60lbs. My intake is 1200. I don't exercise much. But when I do it asks me to increase my calorie intake. I don't want to interfere with my weight loss by eating the calories back.

geebusuk

Changing one side of calories in vs calories out will 'interfere' with your weight loss.
It may make it better.
But, if your calories get too low, it can leave you open to various problems - including metabolic slow down (if for extended periods - I note myself getting colder if I'm undereating consistently), binging from hunger, tiredness so you don't want to do more exercise etc and possibly worse stuff.