So unsure

PearlAng

Hi,

I'm trying to lose five pounds. So little, I know, but I need to reduce body fat slightly. I'm currently at a relative good weight for my height.

I workout just about everyday on the elliptical, plus weight lifting anywhere from 3-5 days a week.

I'm 4'9" and 97 pounds. To lose half a pound a week, MFP put me at 1280, which is pretty reasonable for me. I've seen people who are saying to maintain good muscle and reduce body fat, you should eat your TDEE-20%. That means I would have to eat 1555, which is also doable.

I just want to look skinnier/more fit, but am I going about this the wrong way? I want a smaller midsection! :laugh:

PearlAng

Also, when I say 1280 is doable, I mean that's what I net (sometimes below, sometimes above) so I guess another question would be if I go the 1555 route, would I be eating that in total or netting that? And would I still log workouts?

PearlAng

Should I pick a number in between?

_KitKat_

TDEE includes exercise, if you want you can log it but adjust the calorie burn to 1. TDEE is most recommended when doing body recomp and a cut, which is what you are sorta looking to do. You can gain weight and be smaller with body composition, for reducing body fat %. Logging accurately (weighing food) and figuring out your TDEE properly is very important for cutting body fat.

You look really young but have a decent amount of posts. I am assuming you are over 18, if not MFP isn't for under 18.

PearlAng

Thank you for your insight I am 18. So even though I am eating 20% less than my TDEE, I still am not supposed to log exercise? I honestly am not sure how to even go about that would I just eat the 1555 and exercise? Would I have to eat those calories back? Seems hard to keep track of. Also not sure how to set the calorie burn to 1. Sorry for sounding like such noob thought i knew a fair amount but I think there is still more to learn

PearlAng

Am I right in thinking that simply weighing less would mean less body fat? I feel like I knew the answer once can't remember. I know that losing weight can also mean losing muscle, but I would continue to lift

_KitKat_

TDEE already has exercise figured in. There is a thread called something "sexy pants" great info.

With the tdee method you eat a set amount daily, your exercise for the week is already figured in. A 20% cut is aggressive for small weight loss goals and can cost you lean body mass not good for getting a tight body. Look for the body re-composition threads, I think this is what you are looking for. With tdee you do not need to log exercise but if you want, log it then hit the calorie number and type 1 (zero doesn't work).

Also check out some of the women lifting threads in success. These women are amazing and have bodies at 40 that most 20 yr olds dream of. Honestly weight loss is not what you need, it sounds like you want to reduce body fat % you can do that and even gain weight. That is why you will see people bulking then cutting, they are looking to increase lean body mass and reduce fat. Feel free to add me I have many female lifters on my fl and you would be amazed at these women and they eat a ton and not one thing jiggles that shouldn't. Feel free to ask anything, there is no dumb question, I may not have the answer but if I can help I will.

ravenmiss

Read this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

PearlAng

Thank you very much! I will be sure to add you!

ashenriver

I also want to add a link to Staci from Nerd Fitness, she went from weighing less to weighing more, but she looked skinnier and more fit.

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

Look for information on body recomposition. I do not know enough to help you, just enough to know that is probably what you want to do.

JesterMFP

As others have said, MFP doesn't include exercise, so once you add those calories in, you should be closer to the goal you get from the TDEE method.

Having said that, TDEE-20% might be a bit too aggressive for you considering how little you have to lose and how little fat you have stored. It might be worth spending time finding out what your TDEE really is (through experimentation; the calculators can only give you an estimate) and then taking a 10% cut from that (and not eating back exercise calories). To be honest, at this point, the number on the scale starts to mean less. If you have some body recomposition going on, it won't be telling the full story. Plus if you start a new workout programme, or change things there, you may also retain water that will mask fat loss on the scale. Use your measuring tape, photos and how your clothes fit.