New to all of this

StoryGirl9

Okay, I am another newbie around here and trying to answer my own questions, but kind of confused. I am currently 5'6" and 181.5 pounds. I have been struggling with my weight for about 4 years (did 3 unsuccessful cycles of IVF and gained over 30 lbs). I am extremely active - currently I am doing Les Mill's Combat at home 6 days a week for typically around 45 minutes a day. I have also done Insanity, P90X, etc. and have really struggled to lose any weight. What has finally pushed me over the edge is that I am at my highest weight since doing IVF and miserable I have typically been eating 1400 calories a day + eating back my workout calories (so sometimes closer to 1900/day). Using Scooby's formula my BMR is 1607 and my TDEE - 20% is 2443. So, basically, my question is do I start at the 2400 mark or should I up to 2000/day and in 200 increments? Any advice would be awesome. I am also a pescetarian (veggie + fish), so sometimes the macronutrients are really a struggle.

Thanks,
Courtney

GoGoGadgetMum

My non- expert advice would be go with what you feel comfortable with, dive in or take baby steps. Since you were already eating back your cals your deficits probably havent been too huge and hopefully net over your BMR. With all your activity you may want to consider a 15% deficit instead of 20%. If you are still netting calories below your bmr regularly you probably need to go up to the next activity level.

Someone else may offer better experienced advice... good luck.

KarenJanine

Whether you start at 2000 or 2400 depends on whether you want to do the reset. This is personal choice and is often recommended if you've been eating VLC for some time, which it doesn't appear that you have. I did not do a reset initially but then did one after 3 months and I'm glad I did, albeit late. That period of time eating at maintenance really helped rebuild my bad relationship with food and get used to what it felt like to be eating at the correct level for my activity.

So personally i would recommend going up to 2400 for 8 weeks or so. You can either do this by increasing gradually or jumping right in at 2400. SOme people find their appetite struggles hence the need to increase in increments to get used to eating more but if you're comfortable eating 2400 then go for it!

Good luck to you. Feel free to add me. I'm vegetarian so my macros aren't great but I always aim for around 150g of protein per day and make the rest up from pretty much whatever I fancy, keeping a balance of 'clean' and not so clean food.