What do YOU think?

Happy_Niss

Hello all,

I've been doing the interval jogging/walking for about a month and a half now and go for about 3 miles on average, 5-6 nights per week. I burn around 280-350 calories (according to MapMyFitness and MyFitnessPal). I am 5'4" and last weighed at 143lbs.

I have been eating between 1700-2000 calories per day instead of my recommended 1600, but usually the exercise evens it out so I am only a little bit above or below my limit.

I don't feel that I am losing any weight though. So here is my concern....

Do you guys think that eating less calories while still doing this amount of cardio would be healthy? And if I continue this habit, will I still get fit?

wonderwoman234

You don't "feel" that you are losing weight or you know by the scale that you aren't losing weight?

I am 5'7 and eat about 1850 calories per day. This is based on a TDEE calculator and so I don't eat any "exercise" calories. I am losing about 1 lb. per week doing this. I work out a the gym 5 days a week - an hour of lifting and about 45-60 minutes of cardio where I am sweating a lot (spinning class and arc trainer).

I plugged your numbers into the TDEE calculator and in order to MAINTAIN your weight, you would need to eat 1945 calories per day. This calorie allotment accounts for 5 days of exercise each week, so you would not be adding any "earned" calories from exercise into that number.

To lose weight, you would need to cut 15-20% from that number. Eating about 1556 calories (with no exercise calories added in) per day will allow you to lose weight.

auntiemsgr8

Have you done any measurements? How are your clothes fitting?

I started running 4 months ago working up to my current 3-4 miles/day 3-4 days a week.

I have actually gained about 5 pounds but have gone down about 3 dress sizes and 2 pants sizes.

So you may not feel different but if you are having positive changes in these two areas I would say to stay the course. Follow TDEE - 10 to 20% depending on your overall goal and don't eat back your exercise calories.

Do that for another month and then reevaluate if nothing changes in weight or measurements

Happy_Niss

Thank you for your input!

I don't feel like I am losing weight. My main goal is to lose fat and gain muscle though. I am measuring myself tomorrow, so I have not done my measurements yet. My clothes do seem like they are a little looser but I've had a lot of wardrobe changes since I live in Georgia and it has gotten very hot recently.

I put in my stuff into the TDEE and did 20% and my calculations came up with 1644 calories. So I should eat this amount and not consider the amount I am "earning" during exercise?

wonderwoman234

Yes, exactly. Do not use any additional "exercise calories" if you are using TDEE. It already included calories for exercise.

A lot of people on MFP have recommended this method and I switched from the MFP calculated method (which has you add in exercise calories and eat them) about a week ago and I've lost a pound so far. What I like about TDEE is that you eat the same calories every day, even on your off exercise days. It's also nice not worrying about how many calories you burn, which are often overstated on machines and on MFP.

I continue to track my exercise but put in 1 calorie burned instead of what MFP says I burned. If you put 0 it won't track the exercise for some reason.

Anyway, great job wogging (walking/running)! If you add some sprints a few days a week, it should help you get fitter faster so you can run easier/longer.

Good luck!

Francl27

At 1700-2000 you're probably very close to maintenance. Eat the 1644.