Should I eat less and not exercise or eat more and exercise?

tiacari

OK, I am at a plateau and can't seem to shake my last 5 pounds! I have been at about 1350-1403 calories a day and then walking off 200 or so. That leaves me at 1200 most of the time. Is that the same as eating 1200 and not exercising or should I continue to eat 1403 and exercise 200? Does a body know its eaten enough and then lost it?
Hope I can make sense, and thanks for your response!

ninerbuff

Change your exercise and eat the same. Try walking faster or even short jogs for 30 seconds or so.



A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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asaffell

Have you tried bumping the calories up by 100 or 200? Sometimes your body adapts and needs more fuel.

em9371

technically they are the same as you end up with 1200 cals either way, but i would go for the eat more and exercising every time as exercise has many benefits besides weight loss - my friend has just lost over 50lbs by diet alone, but she is soooo unfit!!

I agree with ninerbuff, switching up your routine is always good if the scale sticks. If you don't do it already try adding weight training as muscle burns more calories than fat, so as you build muscle it should shift those last few lbs :-)

lisakyle_11

Change your exercise and eat the same. Try walking faster or even short jogs for 30 seconds or so.



A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

THIS^.

vegamy

OK, I am at a plateau and can't seem to shake my last 5 pounds! I have been at about 1350-1403 calories a day and then walking off 200 or so. That leaves me at 1200 most of the time.

The last 5 lbs are the hardest!! Usually it's better to have less of a calorie deficit when you are only trying to lose 5 more lbs, I started eating 1600 net calories when I was close to goal (I exercised and burned 500+ calories/day, so I'd eat 2100 total). I'd set your goal for 1/2 lb weight loss per week (sounds like you have it set at 2 lbs per week) and see if the extra food helps. I'd definitely keep exercising, though.