PLEASE HELP - Should i up my cals??

nyctraveler

I started MFP in January 2011 and have started out on the typical 1200 cal plan

I'm 5'7" and change and weight 161 lbs right now - down from 168. Just to give you an idea - I wear size 6-8 so I carry my weight fairly well. Ideal goal would be 145 but I've never even weighed that in my adult life. I lost 30 lbs from my highest of 190 years ago and have really never dipped below that +/- a couple pounds.

In March or so, I upped my calories to 1390 because I was having a plateau. On average I exercise about 4 days a week and use and HRM - do interval cardio and some weights (although i know i should be doing more in that department)

I'm yet at another plateau for a while now and am wondering if I should bump up my cals to 1550 or 1600? It seems rather high but I am not sure what else to do. A personal trainer at my gym said that my body may be used to it. Also - I don't eat back my exercise cals - I find that when i tried it - i didn't lose and even gained a little.

Yes - I use and HRM and YES - I use a food scale. I try to eat clean - and follow a 30/40/30 carb/protein/fat diet so my carbs are limited to about 100g a day or less and about 100g or protein.

You can see my diary - it's public.

PLEASE HELP - what am i doing wrong. I just can shake this 160 slump. I want to lose another 10-15 lbs really badly

thetrishwarp

I'm 5'5". Started at 185, started on MFP at 175 on 1200cals/day. I'm currently at 157, working towards 145...eating 1620 cals/day.

So yes! Increase your calories! Maybe try upping them to 1450 or something like that! I've gradually increased along the way and it's been working.

Hope this info helps!

dancingdeer

I'm not able to see your food diary, but yes, I think you should up your calories. For how often you are working out, it seems you could try upping them for a week and see how your body likes it! Best of luck!

Rae6503

I'm 5'8" and 155. I net 1750 calories a day and eat back my exercise calories putting me at over 2000. I've lost 3lbs recently, but have been at this new weight for a few weeks and I'm okay with that.

nyctraveler

I'm 5'5". Started at 185, started on MFP at 175 on 1200cals/day. I'm currently at 157, working towards 145...eating 1620 cals/day.

So yes! Increase your calories! Maybe try upping them to 1450 or something like that! I've gradually increased along the way and it's been working.

Hope this info helps!

I"m currently at 1400 - would going to 1550 or 1600 be too much right away?

nyctraveler

I'm not able to see your food diary, but yes, I think you should up your calories. For how often you are working out, it seems you could try upping them for a week and see how your body likes it! Best of luck!

sorry! it was only open to friends

I just made it public!

Black_Swan

I think you can up it to 1600 and give it 3 weeks to see what happens!

Sublog

I'd say try it for a couple of weeks to find out. What could it hurt? I'd also agree that you should monitor for 3 weeks.

Also, do you cycle carbs? I've found cycling carbs can help with weight loss stalls.

emmaleigh47

check out www.fat2fitradio.com/bmr ... this is my bible
Its working well for me -- see my ticker below. Granted I am alot bigger than you .. but MFP recommend 1600 and I said no.