Eating more to lose ? -? on TDEE/BMR - hesitant - help!

charliefocus

Hi All Friendly MFPals! - last year I followed a 1200 cal diet going higher here and there and worked out 4-6x a week weights and cardio. Doing so I lost about a lb a week. I normally would not eat back calories burned..

I gained back some weight by being lazy for 8 plus months and want to recommit to a healthy gym and eating regimen.

but..

I lose about a lb a week using a 1200 cal per day method.. I (feel I) notice if I stray and go over I do not lose at all.. but a friend is telling me this is too little calories..

so! was reading this http://forums.eatmore2weighless.com/showthread.php?tid=1

and saw this tool there - http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

MY BMR - 1590
MY TDEE - 2469
I would say moderately active (to be safe)

I want to lose 1-2 lbs (2lbs a week never happened on the 1200 cal diet with exercise).. I have about 25 lbs or so lose.

I eat lots of protein and veggies and love natural peanut butter ( so ican up the cals!! np!) and know how to eat well ( i have slips ups of course!) and train hard.. I'm just confused because I'm nervous to add 300 or so more calories a day.. I try to eat 3 meals and 2 snacks per day.

i guess i can try it and see how next weeks weigh in goes.

if any one has any advice i would love to hear it!! curious on any similar issues or success stories! or experience or comments

5'8
31 years old
177 lbs
goal 150

If you wanna be my buddy that is cool too! Thanks!!

Greenrun99

slowly increase your calories until you hit that point (every week add 50 - 100 calories), then stay there.. if you just jump calories after being at 1200 for a long period of time your going to gain water weight and the weigh in will be higher.. that is probably why when you eat more last time the scale was higher.. need to look at the big picture not the weekly weigh in stats..

And at 5'8, 177 lbs, its 1 lb a week.. 2 lbs is unrealistic.

AmyRhubarb

Best move I ever made was eating the right amount of cals. I'm about your height and a bit older, and have had my best success eating a 10-20% cut from my TDEE.

Read my info on my profile. Seriously never going back to restrictive calories. This is a sustainable way to eat that keeps me fueled and shedding fat, keeping my lean muscle.

diannethegeek

You and I are almost the same stats. I'm 5' 8", 31 years old, and weighed in around 181 last week. Just to give you some perspective, I lose weight at 1600 calories without exercise and can go up to about 1800 when I'm working out 5 days a week.

I agree with increasing it slowly and giving your body a few weeks to adjust before you decide if it's not working. It may not be any faster than when you were eating 1200 calories, but you might be surprised by how you feel eating more.

I felt fine at 1200 calories for a long time and I would tell everyone I was fine.But I'd been hangry and moody for months without noticing it. I'd been lethargic and practically phoning in my workouts. Even a little increase up to 1500 really helped me feel better during the day and I was able to push harder than ever during my workouts. I suffer from depression and calorie restriction really messes with me. Maybe you don't have the same problems at 1200, but it's worth a shot, imo.

charliefocus

Thanks All!! I remember seeing a nutritionist last year.. and swear she told me 1200.. so I am little hesitant and not sure/clear on how eating more can continue to lose weight?

but will try it out, slowly..

thanks for your input!

jess