Scared to eat more! (NROLFW)

taylormoooon

So I started losing weight in January..down four pounds which was nice seeing progress so quickly and I am finally starting the New Rules of Lifting for Women. My problem is I am truly afraid to add so many calories! On days I don't work out it says I need 1900 calories and 2100 on the other days. Right now I'm eating about 1400-1500 calories a day and although it's easy to add those extra calories I'm just afraid of gaining weight. Just need some reassurance really! Also I'm 5'3 and 131 pounds currently (GW is 120).

jayjay12345654321

Either you're in a deficit to lose fat, or you're in the black to have extra calories to build muscle. It's very challenging to do both at once and usually only successful for pros who know what they're doing. Muscle tissue can't repair and build on thin air and positive thinking. You have to provide it with the necessary nutrients, energy and water, and you can't do that in a 700 calorie deficit to where you should be. Your body has a BMR. It needs a certain amount of energy to keep your heart beating, your diaphragm expanding, your digestive system functioning and your brain cognizant. It will not feed your biceps and quads before it feeds the vital systems. And if you're intentionally eating at a deficit, you're giving it no option. If you don't want to go 500 over BMR, at least eat where you should be eating at and consider, for the sake of not wasting your time lifting, adding in some extra protein and fat to top off your intake.

Don't be afraid of calories. You'll put yourself into an unhealthy state of mind in your relationship with food.

taylormoooon

Thanks!