Weight loss plateau - Am I building muscle

deksgrl

So based on this back and forth, I truly don't understand what I need to do in order to continue to drop the pounds. According to MFP, if I want to drop 1.5 pounds per week I should be eating about 1500 calories a day. If I exercise I get to eat more calories.

I am honestly eating about 1250 calories a day and running 4 times a week. While at times I am hungry, drinking water gets me to meal time and snack time. This has worked for me so far as I have lost about 18 pounds in two months. Pounds of what I don't know (fat or muscle) and 2.5 inches on my waist !!!

Would eating more calories cause me to actually burn more?

At 5' 8" and 198 pounds I still have about 20 pounds I want to drop. Suggestions?

You will have more energy for a stronger workout by eating more. Eat more. In fact, with only 20 pounds left to drop, you should aim for 1 pound a week loss, not 1.5.

JoRocka

Not sure what TDEE is but I kinda gave up on MFP's method because I thought that 1500 calories was pushing it

FYI: I stick with the calories I am alloted each day. I never eat the extra calories earned with exercise.

are you using MFP's method or TDEE?

The method you use to determine how much you eat will determine if your eat back calories are included. TDEE- includes your typical workouts- so you don't worry about eat back calories- they are figured into the calculation.

MFP does not- it is your base line losing number- so if you workout- you would/should eat back a percentage of the workout calories- I typically eat back 1/2- if I'm cutting and 3/4 or ALL if I"m bulking.

Right now as a 5'8" very active female I'm cutting on 1500-and eating back a small portion of my work out calories.

So I'm not sure what you mean by 1500 is pushing it?

are you a man or a woman and how tall/heavy are you.

1500 is NOT a crazy amount of food.

cathipa

So based on this back and forth, I truly don't understand what I need to do in order to continue to drop the pounds. According to MFP, if I want to drop 1.5 pounds per week I should be eating about 1500 calories a day. If I exercise I get to eat more calories.

I am honestly eating about 1250 calories a day and running 4 times a week. While at times I am hungry, drinking water gets me to meal time and snack time. This has worked for me so far as I have lost about 18 pounds in two months. Pounds of what I don't know (fat or muscle) and 2.5 inches on my waist !!!

Would eating more calories cause me to actually burn more?

At 5' 8" and 198 pounds I still have about 20 pounds I want to drop. Suggestions?

You should be eating between 1889 - 2072 calories per day based on the information you gave (http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/) . You can eat more and lose weight. Good luck!

Muddy_Yogi

1000 - 1250 a day

Please tell me this is an effin joke!

ndj1979

1000 - 1250 a day

You ain't eating enough to even build any muscle...you've put yourself in starvation mode.

good lord no, no, no ….

starvation mode happens when you eat NOTHING for a pro longed period of time …

lolz you can't eat 1200 calories a day and be in starvation mode…good grief...

ndj1979

So based on this back and forth, I truly don't understand what I need to do in order to continue to drop the pounds. According to MFP, if I want to drop 1.5 pounds per week I should be eating about 1500 calories a day. If I exercise I get to eat more calories.

I am honestly eating about 1250 calories a day and running 4 times a week. While at times I am hungry, drinking water gets me to meal time and snack time. This has worked for me so far as I have lost about 18 pounds in two months. Pounds of what I don't know (fat or muscle) and 2.5 inches on my waist !!!

Would eating more calories cause me to actually burn more?

At 5' 8" and 198 pounds I still have about 20 pounds I want to drop. Suggestions?

You should be eating between 1889 - 2072 calories per day based on the information you gave (http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/) . You can eat more and lose weight. Good luck!

OP is not using TDEE method..he is using MFP method ...

GertrudeHorse

You definitely aren't building muscle.

You probably aren't burning 700 calories in a workout.

You almost certainly aren't eating enough. Fortunately you won't be in "starvation mode" unless you've been eating sub-700 for months on end. You will, however, be malnourished and close to burn-out given your level of exercise.

Everyone else has given good advice. Listen to them and don't destroy your body.

ETA: Your BMR is approximately 1800 based on statistics you have provided. If you want to stick with the MFP method then I would suggest eating slightly more than your BMR as well as a percentage of any exercise calories you burn (although make sure they are calculated accurately).

cathipa

So based on this back and forth, I truly don't understand what I need to do in order to continue to drop the pounds. According to MFP, if I want to drop 1.5 pounds per week I should be eating about 1500 calories a day. If I exercise I get to eat more calories.

I am honestly eating about 1250 calories a day and running 4 times a week. While at times I am hungry, drinking water gets me to meal time and snack time. This has worked for me so far as I have lost about 18 pounds in two months. Pounds of what I don't know (fat or muscle) and 2.5 inches on my waist !!!

Would eating more calories cause me to actually burn more?

At 5' 8" and 198 pounds I still have about 20 pounds I want to drop. Suggestions?

You should be eating between 1889 - 2072 calories per day based on the information you gave (http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/) . You can eat more and lose weight. Good luck!

OP is not using TDEE method..he is using MFP method ...

I guessed that. Thanks!