Do you think I need a full metabolism reset?

tyraskanks_

I took picture today of myself basically almost naked (spandex and a sports bra on.)
I felt so fat after I took those pictures. It's so hard gaining confidence after that.
I sent my boyfriend the pictures (he's my best friend ) and I added on the e-mail subject line: "I'm gross. Thanks for f***ing me"
He said that I looked bloated (this boy is brutally honest... so I'm glad he wasn't all like DAMN TYRA YOU LOOK FAAAAAAT) which he would never say in those words, but he has told me when it looks like I'm gaining weight again. Which, I am grateful of (even though it sometimes hurts my feelings)
But it's SOOOO HARD at first. I upped my calories from 1600 calories a day to 2390 (TDEE). The week before that I did a 1900 and some odd calories per day. Then I decided I wanted to eat food and do things right. But now I'm just getting so discouraged. I will never go back to eating at such a low deficit because I love food so much, but should I still keep eating at my TDEE or cut? I was thinking about cutting after this weekend. (weekends are usually the worst for me diet wise)

I'm 5'3", 224 lbs, bf % (average of covert, navy 1 and 2) is 37.52.... My BMR is estimated at 1741 and my TDEE is 2390 (about 2.5 hrs of exercise a week). I haven't really done any strength training yet. I want to. I've been doing tae bo, which I know is more cardio, but daaaaamn is it fun. And tough. I have a Total Gym that I can use at my house, but during the week I am not at my mom's so it is hard to use it. I am a poor college student and only have so much to work with. I thought about getting a membership at the YMCA, but I figured I should worry about eating first.

The thing is, I wasn't really eating THAT much under my BMR. Do I really need a whole 8 weeks? It's not like I'm upping my calories from netting 1200 to eating 2390 calories every day. I'm just so impatient. I also have PCOS and hypothyroidism and I am an "apple" shape. I am what I call "An apple on a stick" My stomach really does carry most of my weight.

Also, anyone with hypothyroidism? I don't always take my medicine as prescribed... I usually take it with my prozac and my metformin (for PCOS).

OH! And before I forget, my macros are, as of tonight, set to 30/40/30. I switched my carb and my protein around because I remember a dietitian telling me that I should eat more protein than a normal person, etc... I have such a hard time reaching that goal!

Wow, I feel like I'm writing a novel. Sorry guys. I hope you guys have all the time in the world because I apparently do. Or maybe I'm just a fast typer and a rambler. :P

heybales

Were you still losing weight?

That means you had a deficit.

How much per week for like that last 3 weeks?

Just increasing to estimated TDEE for a little bit may be enough. Sooner you don't gain or lose, the better. Still young, metabolism isn't abused yet from years of yo-yo diets, you got it lucky compared to many.

Glad to see you wanting to take it smart and last time.

The reset time also helps you learn to eat right for your level of activity, which you'll do on a deficit, and at goal weight of course.

tyraskanks_

Since last week I've actually lost 1.8 lbs... while eating at a 1900 calories and then three days in at TDEE I weight myself and I had lost that amount. I'm guessing that's previous work catching up to me, etc. On 1500 calories I lost at about 1 1/2 lbs per week. I didn't hit a plateau.

heybales

Since last week I've actually lost 1.8 lbs... while eating at a 1900 calories and then three days in at TDEE I weight myself and I had lost that amount. I'm guessing that's previous work catching up to me, etc. On 1500 calories I lost at about 1 1/2 lbs per week. I didn't hit a plateau.

Then your metabolism has not slowed down any, and hormones not messed up yet.

Just take a week off to confirm what the TDEE is for your normal workout activity. If you lose, figure out what the daily deficit must have been to cause that loss, and eat that much extra to test another week.
If no loss, you nailed it.

Now take your avg eating level, your TDEE, divided by your current BMR from whatever method you want to use, and there is your personal multiplier for this level of activity.

As you lose weight, you'll never have to guess at TDEE again.
New BMR, times personal multiplier, new TDEE. Take deficit. Done.

If workout changes a major way, that of course won't work that simply, but at least have a baseline idea.

RetiredAndLovingIt

bump

tyraskanks_

Thank you!

holleysings

I never hit a plateau eating 1200 calories a day for 14 weeks, but I chose to reset anyway. For me, I needed the mental healing time. There is something about fueling your body exactly what it requires every day that heals how you think of yourself. Your body is a calorie burning machine that you ask a lot of every day. Maybe do a short reset and see how it makes you feel?

tyraskanks_

I'm going to see what I'll do after this weekend... why start cutting on the weekend? I am enjoying this daggon food! haha. I'll just try to find my TDEE and then stick with it. I weighed 224 Wednesday morning so I am going to weigh in next Wednesday morning and see if I maintained, lost, or gained.

Anna800

I looked at your diary and I think you need to stay under 2000 calories a day, don't go over on your carbs, and if you must go to McDonalds only get the Garden Fresh Salad with chicken and balsamic vinaigretee or the Chicken fajita and apple slices without caramel.