Do these numbers seem about right to start with?

DesertStar86
DesertStar86 Posts: 41 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
(Sorry for long first post)

Hello!

I'm relatively new to MFP and calories counting etc and trying not to get too overwhelmed with information. I started logging my cals a couple of weeks ago and was given the obligatory 1200 cals for a sedentary lifestyle which i followed for a bit (i wasn't doing too much moving about at this point). I can fairly easily get by on 1200 cals but without going into TMI it wasn't providing enough bulk to keep things moving regularly and i hate nothing more than feeling clogged up... Anyhow. I reevaluated earlier this week and changed my target to 1330cals (sedentary, losing 1lb a week) but have now made a further adjustment.

I think I prefer the TDEE method so exercise is already factored in. I've changed my MFP to light activity, 1lb per week and don't plan to eat back my exercise cals - this give me 1550 per day.

Scooby calculator gives me the following based on light activity for my stats (female, weight 169lb, height 5ft 3)

TDEE-20% BMR: 1548, TDEE: 2129 Goal: 1703

TDEE-25% BMR: 1548, TDEE: 2129 Goal: 1597

I'm initially planning to follow the TDEE-25% and eat 1500-1600cal per day.

I've only just started doing any form of exercise really and I'm very unfit so although I'm working out every day, it is certainly not with the greatest of intensity. I have a desk job so don't move around tremendously during the day but do clock up around 30 mins of walking to/from work (quickly as I'm always in a rush) and a few flights of stairs.

I started the C25K program last week - not going amazingly well and I'm still stuck on week 1. The main reason I'm not completing is that I live in the Middle East and it is currently HOT. I'm running at 9pm and it's still around 35c. I'm trying a newer flatter route this evening and hope I can at last complete day 1!! I don't want to use the gym - I much prefer to exercise outdoors.

I'm doing the C25K 3x a week and on the off days, walking around 5.8km at a fairly decent speed. On occassion I'm doing some arm & squat exercises I have on a Jillian Michaels DVD but she's tyrant and currently I can't keep up with her cardio. And I despise star jumps...

Until I get fitter does it seem reasonable to follow the TDEE-25% numbers? Once I get fitter I will readjust, but currently I don't think I'm burning cals at full capacity.

I don't want to rush the weight off, as long as I consistently lose something I will be satisfied. I've never been skinny and these days I'm only getting bigger so I think for the first time I'm acutally taking it seriously. Thankfully I enjoy calorie generous healthy foods (beans/lentils/veg) and I think my main issue has been HUGE portion sizes and "forgotten" snacks. Mainly the huge portion sizes... I really can pack the food in...

Sorry to ramble!

Note: My diary is open but I haven't been logging all of my exercise. There are 2 high calorie days that stick out like sore thumbs - last weekend I went out for Sushi and a milkshake and had to guestimate. Last night I was unexpectedly invited to a bbq and again had to guestimate. I had already overindulged at a bread-heavy breakfast at work before I got the invite... I will probably allow myself one maintenance day a week for the sake of sanity.

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    looks like a starting point. You didn't say anything about your height or weight though......
  • DesertStar86
    DesertStar86 Posts: 41 Member
    Sorry, it is embedded in there somewhere...

    Female
    Height: 5ft 3
    Weight: 169lb
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Sorry, it is embedded in there somewhere...

    Female
    Height: 5ft 3
    Weight: 169lb

    TDEE-25% is a big agressive imho..I would stick with TDEE-20%
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    Sorry, it is embedded in there somewhere...

    Female
    Height: 5ft 3
    Weight: 169lb

    TDEE-25% is a big agressive imho..I would stick with TDEE-20%

    ^^^this, IMO 25% is too aggressive! at a SW of 169 lbs you def have less than 100 to lose so 15-20% is a much more realistic and sustainable cut! depending on your goal weight. Faster may SEEM better but it's usually not, and when you have less to lose but do it at the faster rate with a 25% cut you're going to lose a decent amount of muscle along with the fat that goes, leaving you with a smaller-in-size but still flabby-looking version of yourself.
  • weightliftingdiva
    weightliftingdiva Posts: 522 Member
    I agree with the other posters about -20%. I also wanted to say your exercise plan sounds pretty good! I love walking. ^.^
  • DesertStar86
    DesertStar86 Posts: 41 Member
    Thanks for your replies :flowerforyou:

    I don't have a specific goal weight in mind. I've set it on here as 126lb but I'll go more by appearance than the scales. 140lb would probably be fine.

    If I can get back down to a UK size 12 I'd be happy enough. I very recently went up to a size 16 and I think this was the turning point for me. I no longer enjoy clothes shopping and am borderline embarrassed when I have to pay...

    TDEE - 20% is apparently 1703. I have NO COMPLAINTS eating that each day, I think I've just spent so many years having low calorie, low calorie, low calorie drummed into me, it's hard to get my head around being "allowed" such a decent amount of food! If this works, I will be very pleasantly surprised.

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