Kind of hitting the "Doubt" stage of EMTWL

HeidiHoMom

Okay I found a couple threads, still not the one I was looking for but these are the same thing:

FYI there are peopole in that thread still not eating enough but there are a lot who are eating an adequate amount.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/531086-before-and-after-pics-no-starvation

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/534457-before-and-after-pics-no-starvation

Thanks, HHM!

No problem, I hope it helps to reassure you that you are on the right course! I am reading through all of those success stories and it is certainly motivating me again to continue and tells me that this is the right thing to do for myself.

TripleJ3

I took a 5 day diet break over July 4th holiday and tracked cals a little, and honestly I think I ate fewer cals per day than I do now. When I came back I felt pretty good, and somewhat slimmer. Now after one week eating 2145 cals a day I feel heavier again. Routine. Maybe I should just move to Cape Cod and live the life...

Thanks, HeidiHoMom!

Forgive me if someone already caught this and commented, but thats not a diet break. Have you read all the stickies? A diet break is when you eat at your full TDEE for a week or two every 4,6 or 8 weeks. You still track but you are actually eating more than your cut. Many people (including me) also use this week as a full rest week from their workouts.

I am wrapping up my last week of an 8 week reset. When I first started EM2WL I jumped into a 15% cut for 3 weeks then had done my research and seen I definitely needed a reset. Right when summer was starting and before my vacation. I did it anyway because I didn't want to put it off. For me, there is always a reason why I would need to wait another few weeks. From what I have seen, many people did gain when they jumped into a cut then stabilized after they took the leap into a full TDEE. Some gained when they started TDEE but at too low of an activity level. Always start high since most of us seem to underestimate our calorie burn.

I have't stepped on the scale but I do know I have gained more than I should because I had no problem eating my TDEE of just under 2700 and went over way too many times. I still fit into all my same clothes although many are a little tighter. Still all worth it to me and I have learned I actually really enjoy wearing dresses!

Good luck to you with what you decide. The mental part was the hardest part for me but those 8 weeks flew by and I can't wait to cut on Sunday!

zukkiz

I wish I could tell you it's been hard for me, but it hasn't. For my reset I ate at 2300 and added 300 more for breastfeeding. I lost 5.5 pounds, so obviously my calories should have been higher.

I am now eating 2145 plus the 300. I haven't weighed yet, because I've made a goal not to until August.
My clothes are fitting better, my body is getting stronger, and I have a new swagger I didn't think was possible.

I am 44, and I do NROLFW and I walk only once a week. I rest 3 days a week. I want to add more but life seems to get in the way.

I highly recommend you add lifting and cut back on some cardio.

You can do this. Don't let your doubts destroy your goals.