One step forward, another step back!

Ruchgupt

I am really confused. I've lost about 25 pounds this past year, and for a little while I stopped trying to lose more. I maintained. My habit in maintenance is to eat 1200-1400 calories a day...I can never seem to eat more, probably because I don't exercise as strenuously as most. Now that I want to lose again, I guess I'm forgetting how I did it in the beginning--

I can't go below 1200 cal...does that just mean I have to throw in more exercise? I'm doing the 30 day shred, and plan on running/walking, and doing the elliptical about 3 days a week. I want to lose weight gradually so it becomes a lifestyle change, not a flash in the pan. My question revolves around nutrition, I suppose. How do I calculate how much I should be intaking? I can get a HRM and see how many cals I burn on an average day, with 30 Day Shred, and additionally with the other cardio days thrown in, but then what do I do with that number? How big does the caloric deficit have to be? I usually plan on eating my exercise calories, but is that correct?

Would love some suggestions...as simple as possible, please!

estherpab

I would pick up where you left off. Log in your exercises and eat your calories. Be sure to update your goals to 1 or 2 pounds of loss a week and the calculations should follow. What I have found works for me, is logging everything in, food and exercise and the pounds will drop off. As for the HRM, if it calculates calories burned, great that way you know which is more accurate, MFP or your HRM.

30ds is good I would also do 30 min of elliptical too that way your burn more and can eat more.

Hope that helps, doesn't seem like you have to adjust much.

Oh yes, everyone on here says you shouldn't eat, under 1200 calories. I personally doesn't get full off 1300 calories, but then I work out a lot and find I'm always hungry! :flowerforyou:

Ruchgupt

Thanks so much!