am I eating enough or too much1seems to be a hot topic

LoseWithLaurie

I have recently begun some "formal" exercise on a daily basis. Even though I have to limit exercise due to bad(horrific) knees, I increased my daily activity level substantially in the 3 weeks or so. I seem to be putting muscle on already? Is that possible? Basically, it seems that my weight loss has slowed...

I am trying to determine if:

A-I am eating too much because the estimates of my calories burned are too high

B-I am eating enough because I am burning a lot more calories and I therefore need more fuel

C-Still losing some fat, but adding muscle at the same time which can make my scale move slower for obvious reasons

I'd appreciate any input on this:)

I am NOT opposed to gaining muscle...in fact, I would love to and hope I am. It's just that if I do need to tweak something, Id rather do it sooner than later:)

ValerieMomof2

I would make your diary public so people could actually see what you are eating and that will help

LizL217

3 weeks of increased activity probably isn't enough time to determine if your calorie goal is too high or too low (and honestly may not really be enough time to have really put on a material amount of muscle). I'd give it several more weeks of consistently logging what you eat and how much you exercise (trying to net at a consistent level every day), and keep a record of whether you're feeling hungry or satisfied, tired or energized, etc. If after several weeks you have lost some weight and generally feel pretty good, you'll know you're at the right level of calories. If you've gained, it was too many calories. If you've lost weight but feel terrible, you're not eating enough.

Trial and error with very consistent logging is the best way to find out whether your strategy is working or not for you.

Good luck!

LoseWithLaurie

I would make your diary public so people could actually see what you are eating and that will help

As far as I knew, my diary was open...

letjog

If anything, you're leaning towards not enough rather than too much. However, if you're not consumed with hunger all day I'd give it another coupld of weeks before chaning anything. Your calories burnt from exercise looks like overestimates though, so be wary of that. This website overestimates. You can look up calorie estimates online, or buy a heart rate monitor. I always try to underestimate calories burnt so I don't overeat. For example... some of your workouts say you burnt well over 1000 calories. I don't know what you do but I doubt that? I ran 20 miles this evening - HRM says I burnt off 2000 calories. I put it as 1000 on todays food and will ahve an extra 400 or so calories tomorrow max.

LoseWithLaurie

If anything, you're leaning towards not enough rather than too much. However, if you're not consumed with hunger all day I'd give it another coupld of weeks before chaning anything. Your calories burnt from exercise looks like overestimates though, so be wary of that. This website overestimates. You can look up calorie estimates online, or buy a heart rate monitor. I always try to underestimate calories burnt so I don't overeat. For example... some of your workouts say you burnt well over 1000 calories. I don't know what you do but I doubt that? I ran 20 miles this evening - HRM says I burnt off 2000 calories. I put it as 1000 on todays food and will ahve an extra 400 or so calories tomorrow max.

The calories burned estimates are not from this site, in either case. They may be inflated, however, unless they're like 4 times higher than what's listed, I should still be ok, as I do not eat a lot back. And no, I'm not hungry during the day:)

ValerieMomof2

I would make your diary public so people could actually see what you are eating and that will help

As far as I knew, my diary was open...

When I first clicked your profile, it didn't give me a diary option. Now it does so I will check!

ValerieMomof2

What are you doing for exercise to burn that many? Not saying its not possible bc I use a HRM and burn 700-800 with my Body Combat and Step classes. It's just a nosy question.
As far as your food, the days I looked, you were way under your calorie goal. You certainly could eat more, however, if everything is entered correctly, your eating at good periods throughout the day. Have you checked measurements and BF %. Sometimes the scale doesn't move, but your body is changing for the better.