ADVICE on upping

DDBeard

I posted this under the message boards but also wanted to share here. Currently reading NROLFW and I have decided to increase my calories. I've known I needed to for a while but thought if I plateau then I would give it a try. All of this is so overwheleming and scary to me. I've been eating 1200 calories a day (plus about half of my workout calories) and have been losing on average a pound a week. I have lost 37 pounds since January. The more and more I work the numbers I realize I am at a 38% caloric deficit...and its just too much. I was thinking about upping to 1426 (plus workout) which is a 26% deficit. It works out to be my BMR (per various websites) minus 3500 calories for the week. Wearing my HRM today for 24 hours to try to get a better gage.

Very afraid I'm going to gain fat. Anyone who has done this please share your advice? or if anyone have a recommendation on what I should up to please share? Did you gain? if so for how long until your body ajusted?

Here is my stats if you have a recommendation... 5'1", 28 yrs old, cw:166pds, gw: 135pds, workout 5 days a week average burn 300-400. BMR is about 1,926. (Please share how you calclate)

BTW, made a dr appointment to discuss but it's not for a few weeks.

Thanks in advance! I really appreciate it!

gemiwing

HI DD

If you haven't read the 'what to expect' sticky- go ahead and read it. Most of your worries will be answered there.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/521728-upping-cals-what-to-expect-why-you-need-patience

You won't gain fat because you'll still be at a deficit- your percentages will stay the same you simply get more of them- you will puff up a bit at first- and yes it does work.

Your HRM will not give you an accurate reading because of how it calculates calories burned. You'd have to purchase a specific tracker like the bodymedia fit or the fitbit, in order to get a more accurate TDEE.

Hope this helps!