YOUR opinion on MY logic?

supertracylynn

Before about 2 weeks ago I was maintaining 136# on about 1450 calories a day, occasionally working out 2x a week. Then I decided to step up my game, start working out in some form every day, but I'm not logging the general strength as a further cal deficit. Nor have I changed my settings from rather sedentary.
I also got a Bodybugg to go along with this new direction.

These days I'm Starving. Like, a lot. I upped my calories to from 1450 to 1600 and that doesn't feel like enough. I'm drinking 4-6 of my 25oz water bottles every day. (yes, I'm peeing a LOT, lol). Until a couple hours ago, I couldn't figure out why I was so incredibly hungry. Aside from the soreness, I really don't feel like too much has really changed.

Then it occurred to me...

Bodybugg says I'm burning no less than 2200 cals a day (today was 2500). I'm eating 1600. This gets me (without exercise, counting a low day as the base), a deficit of 600 calories. This is congruent with losing a pound a week, which I don't want to do. Factor in exercise which is 200-400 calories and now I'm hypothetically deficit 800-1000, netting a total of 1200-400 cals consumed.

For the record, no, I'm not dropping weight, lol. It's too soon in to my new regime to see a difference on the scale, and I am okay if it doesn't budge. 19.9% body fat on a female is a pretty respectable thing, especially for a mom of 3 :bigsmile:

joehempel

Yeah, the more you work the more you should eat to sustain your workouts...I don't eat my calories back and it works just fine, I believe starvation mode is a myth, but I believe that eating to sustain yourself in your workouts is very important.

So EAT UP!!!

supertracylynn

Ha ha, you're not the first to tell me that, lol!

The trick is that when I raise my cals more than 80, my eating is similar to a horny teenager with a solid form of birth control and a full liquor cabinet at a house party. :laugh:

taso42

Your logic is sound. Makes sense that you're starving. You should slowly ramp up to consuming what the bodybugg is telling you. It will take some trial and error, but you can ultimately fine tune and find your perfect maintenance level.

taso42

Ha ha, you're not the first to tell me that, lol!

The trick is that when I raise my cals more than 80, my eating is similar to a horny teenager with a solid form of birth control and a full liquor cabinet at a house party. :laugh:

I don't know exactly what that means, but it sounds like a great time. :drinker:

McKayMachina

similar to a horny teenager with a solid form of birth control and a full liquor cabinet at a house party. :laugh:

My only contribution to this thread (outside of echoing joehempel's sentiments) is:

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

russelljclarke

You need to eat back your exercise calories. If the thought of that horrifies you, well you've no need as I've done the worrying for you - see my blog (link below)

Blackthorne99

It may not be just a matter of calories, but what KIND of calories. When you do a significant amount of exercise, you want to make sure that you're consuming a lot of protein to help rebuild those muscles. What's your post-workout nutrition? (ie - what do you consume within 30 minutes of the end of a workout)

There should be some carbs, some fat, a lot of protein, electrolytes (to replace what you've sweat out) and fluid. Just straight water isn't enough.

Elleinnz

Yep - especially as you are on maintenance, and using a bodybug you have a very clear answer - you are not eating enough....
There are more than one person here on Maintenance that will tell you they have to eat masses to keep going.....

From what I have see the easiest way to do it is to start bringing some "full fat" rather than low fat things back into your daily rations - personally I cant wait to eat proper Helmans mayonaise again!!

Also nuts, avocado, nice piece of salmon etc - and yes - some good quality protein is always a good option

robin52077

You are right, you DO need to eat more. I learned the same thing when I got my BodyMedia. I was eating 1500-1600. That's fine for a lazy day off for me, but my work days are between 2200-2400, and that's without exercise. So I manually changed my diary to an average of 2000 (I averaged out a month of data and I tend to average 2000 with peaks up to 2600 and valleys as low as 1500 when I slept all day).

As for your "out of control" eating. (assuming that was the picture you were trying to paint and not that you turn into a drunk horny teen :laugh: )
I really don't know what to tell you, I have the same issue. I am good all day, healthy mall meals, feeling fine, then I get home and am so tired from my long day and the BF suggests pizza or chinese or something and I cave. SO yeah, I find it hard to eat 2000 healthy calories. I either eat 1400-1500 healthy ones, or I have a 4000 calorie day. They are still evening out to 2000 over time though. So think of it more as a license to have a free day when you want as your over-time average is way below maintenance.

starwhisperer

I agree if you are in maintenance add more on! give it a couple of weeks with 300 more calories (or whatever magic number you decide on) and see if you feel better and are not gaining. If you want to build muscle (if you are actively wanting more muscle I mean) then you can't be running in a deficit at the same time. You have to have a surplus.

billsica

This pretty much sounds like you got it under control. have you tried the calorie zig zagging?

Silverkittycat

19.9% body fat on a female is a pretty respectable thing, especially for a mom of 3.

Yes it is.

supertracylynn

Thanks every one!

Right now I'm trying not to freak out at the 3# I've "gained" due to the drastic change in working out and excessive water intake.

I think I shall take this as an opportunity to eat more fish with my dinner and frozen yogurt afterward. *sigh* I love FroYo!

bry_all01

Ha ha, you're not the first to tell me that, lol!

The trick is that when I raise my cals more than 80, my eating is similar to a horny teenager with a solid form of birth control and a full liquor cabinet at a house party. :laugh:

I love your way with words, oh and you, just for the record.