Increasing my calories...how many...how often?

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So...after reading all of the wonderful info here on MFP, I have come to the realization that I too, need to increase my calories. Like so many of you, I started off at 1200 calories and was doing great 'til about a month ago. I recently increased my calories to 1340. After doing the calculations, I came up with a BMR OF 1423...and my TDEE is 1948. If I minus 20%, that gives me 1,559 calories daily. I hope I have done all of the calculations correctly. I got slightly different figures for every site that I used. Anyway...can someone tell me how much and how often I need to up my calories? I am really scared to up it all at once...I really don't want to gain any weight back. Thanks everyone!

Replies

  • lachancegirl
    lachancegirl Posts: 14 Member
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    I feel the same as you. My numbers are exactly the same. I'm scared to up mine in case i put on weight!
  • hastinbe
    hastinbe Posts: 130 Member
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    I wouldn't do them all at once if the amount is over a few hundred. I've been down that road and it's not fun watching your weight make sudden jumps so soon. I increase by 150 kcal per month until the goal is met. An increase of 100-200 isn't that big of a deal
  • FutureSkinnyMama03
    FutureSkinnyMama03 Posts: 250 Member
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    I'm in the process of increasing mine, too. I'm doing mine slowly and my first increase was 100 calories. I'm thinking of doing another increase in February. (So, that'll be close to a month span or a little under.)
  • RunningTowardsFit
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    As far as increasing your calories- pretty much any weight gain will be temporary- once your metabolism begins to boost again. So do not worry too much. I would encourage you to stay away from the scales for about a month or so.

    If you are currently taking in 1200 calories worth of calories I would up it to either 1300 calories for a week or easily up to 1500. If you up it up to 1500 remain at this for a month. If you are taking in 1300 calories, do that for a week, then 1400 calories every day for the next week until you hit 1500. I would not weigh yourself from 2-4 weeks after ingesting a regular amount of calories (1500) for about 2-4 weeks. So in short, start today with eating more and weigh yourself in 4 weeks!

    I hope this helps- I had to gain weight doing this, unfortunately I let it get out of control, but as long as you stay on task and manage your calories you should be great!