Advice for a Newcomer to MFP

betaleonis

Hi, my name is Andy. I'm 5'3 and 23 years old. I've been (what my mother calls), "slightly overweight" for about 10 years. I have very active summers in which I tend to slim down a bit, but I've never really gotten into shape and maintained it year-round. This is my ultimate goal - to be healthy.

My weight loss journey started at the end of January, when I stepped on the scale and realized I was in the 160 range and my heaviest ever. I was under-eating, and averaging about 600 calories a day, without any real exercise. I lost my first 10lbs or so, basically through my extreme calorie deficit, and then stumbled upon MFP in the middle of February (weighing in at 153). I took my starting measurements, and started learning about adequate nutrition and fitness protocols.

After two weeks of working my way up to 1200 calories, (without eating back exercise cals), I weighed in at aprox 148.6 - and stayed that way, for almost 3 weeks. I decided to increase my calories (which was very difficult, for an under-eater), lost a pound, but now have gained two back. I assume this is my body adjusting to more calories.

I hope my body keeps adjusting, because I'm just starting to understand net calories, and the importance of eating back exercise cals - especially on those days when I burn more. For the past few days I've managed to pull my net up to about 1100 calories (on days of heavy exercise) and I am super terrified, haha!!

I do cardio 4x a week, interval training - strength 2x a week, the 30ds daily, and I take my dogs for a long walk every day. I spend most of my day in a classroom, so I've put my activity level to Sedentary and just log all exercise.

I'm not too concerned with what I am eating (I'm an all-natural kind of girl), and I love to cook with fresh ingredients - but more so if I am heading down the right path. Should I eat back all my exercise cals, even when it feels like too much food?


So in total, I've lost 8 inches and 4 lbs since Feb 15th, just to sum it up. I know the scale is not my friend, but I feel rather disheartened that I have gone back up to 149, and would appreciate any suggestions or support ^_^

betaleonis

er.. bump? ^_^