Really scared, upping my cals...7 weeks before my wedding

sehrler

I have been on MFP for almost 4 months now. I have lost 45 lbs. I am about 18 lbs or so from my final goal (which is flexible), and only 5-10 from my goal that I'd hoped to be at by the wedding. I'm currently down to a size 8 in jeans. (Well, depending on vanity sizing, 6, 8 or 10...you know the drill). Full disclosure, I am 99 lbs down from my high weight but I had lost 90+ lbs in 2009, gained back 36.5, now have lost that plus 8 more.

ANYWAY. I have been stuck for over a month, only have lost 3.5 lbs in the past month. I ran the report and realized that I am waaaaay too low in caloric intake. I always admonish people to eat more but of course, I was losing so I didn't take my own advice. I work out almost every day, hardcore high resistance cardio on the elliptical plus some strength and usually work in some pilates. The elliptical says I burn over 500 cals but I know it's high so I used to never eat back my exercise cals--and my intake was set to 1200. This all resulted in my net ranging from 500-1200 a day when I look back, I hadn't been thinking of net, just staying on track. Stupid, I know. I guess it's caught up with me, plus being so much closer to goal I'm stuck.

I have calculated my BMR to be 1519, TDEE at 2089 for slightly active or 2354 for mod active. I reset my cals to 1600, and plan on eating back 200 of my exercise calories to total 1800 a day instead of 1200 that I'm taking in now. I try to get 100g protein and keep fat, sodium, sugar etc moderate.

My fear is that the increased intake will cause me to gain weight. I have my wedding in 7 weeks, first dress fitting in 2 weeks and I feel like this is a REALLY bad time to change things, if I stay in a plateau it wouldn't be the worst thing but a gain would be bad.

Thoughts? Should I leave well enough alone until after the wedding? Or should I try the increase now?

sehrler

Bump
Someone please help.

jaireed

Well, you could try changing up your work outs. Do something different. Maybe your body has gotten use to the same old thing. I don't know about upping your calories. I can't help you there. I know how important it was for me to lose weight for my wedding. If you aren't gaining weight, maybe you're building muscle? I for one would not up my calories, unless you are hungry or tired during the day. Congratulations on your wedding and your successful weight loss! I am sure you will be a beautiful bride!

orishp

All I can say is good luck, and keep me posted. I feel like I am reaching a plateau, so I may follow suit soon.

I have been eating at 1000 net cals/day, which I KNOW is too low, but it has been working, so I didn't want to mess with it.
I know at some point I'll reach a plateau, so when that happens I'll up my calories slowly, maybe 100 cals/week until I reach my BMR and hope that does the trick.

I am going to add you so I can check on your progress, if you don't mind

And CONGRATS on your upcoming wedding, and on the huge weight loss success that you have had thus far.

graelwyn

What is more important ? Your health or your wedding?
I mean, you won't much enjoy the wedding if your eating so low leaves you feeling weak and unwell for it, which it will in time.
You have 7 weeks. I suggest you either cut down your exercise, or up your calories by 100 a week until you are at a healthier level.

mcarter99

You would be upping your intake from 1200 to 1800, or 50%? I would be too scared. Why not go for 1400 or 1600 for a week and re-assess?

BTW, great work so far, and I wouldn't call 3.5 lbs in a month 'stuck'.

Renae_Nae

Go for it! You already know that at 1800 calories YOU WILL NOT GAIN WEIGHT! You might hold on to a pound or two for a week while your body adjusts but you aren't going to gain 15 pounds before your wedding. Up the calories and relax

suziecue66

You would be upping your intake from 1200 to 1800, or 50%? I would be too scared. Why not go for 1400 or 1600 for a week and re-assess?

BTW, great work so far, and I wouldn't call 3.5 lbs in a month 'stuck'.

This! I wouldn't eat back exercise calories either if upping cals.
Health is top priority but weddings are once in a lifetime (hopefully)! Thats not to say you can't have health and faster weight loss at the same time.

suziecue66

Go for it! You already know that at 1800 calories YOU WILL NOT GAIN WEIGHT! You might hold on to a pound or two for a week while your body adjusts but you aren't going to gain 15 pounds before your wedding. Up the calories and relax

How do you know she won't gain?

RiannonC

I personally would be too scared to make the change before the wedding. As some people have suggested I might try more gradually upping calories to see if the weight loss continues, reverses, or stalls out. But you know your body best. Congratulations on the wedding!

suziecue66

OP I would start seeing what my potassium levels are doing compared to sodium which are pretty high for you. So add a potassium column and just have a carb column instead of sugar and fibre. There is only so many you can have so if you add potassium something else needs to go.
Try revamping diet to include lean proteins, some fat, and lots of veg and fruit less processed/packaged carbs. This may kick-start some fat loss. Try snacks - fruit, small handful nuts, low fat plain yoghurt dash of stevia if required, raw veggies, etc rather than granola bars. The turkey may need to go - choose meats with lower sodium. Huge salad for lunch - lots of different veggies with a protein and fat. The fruit and veggies may get things moving and may lose some water weight as you could be retaining.

How much intense cardio are you doing?