Eat more calories or stay the same?

amberlykay1014

I'm currently eating TDEE - 20%, which was working great with minimal exercise. I am now on day 5 of 30 Day Shred, and I am feeling much more hungry since starting the program.

Goals: I really don't need to lose weight at all. A few more lbs. would be nice, but not necessary. I want to tone up what I've got and lose fat. I know there are great muscles under there -- just need to be more defined and fit.

Stats:
Height: 5'4"
Weight: ~135lbs
BMR: 1362

TDEE for lightly active: 1942
TDEE for moderately active: 2189

I am currently eating around 1700-1800 calories/day, but now that I'm doing 30DS, I'm still hungry.

Should I be eating different things to feel more full or should I be eating more calories? I do know I need to add more protein.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance for your advice!

*edit to add: Sorry my diary has been a bit incomplete the last few days, but I really do eat 1700+ cals/day. It just doesn't always get logged. Today was pretty typical of my eating habits though.

NaurielR

It's usually recommended that if you only have a couple pounds to lose, TDEE-20% is a bit too extreme. The fact that your body is telling you that it's hungry is also an indicator that you should be eatin more. If I remember correctly, TDEE-10% is good if you only have a couple pounds to lose. Aim to lose half a pound a week.

amberlykay1014

Thanks for the reply -- I appreciate it! I think I will start eating closer to TDEE the more I think about it. I just didn't know if I should be eating at a defecit for just toning up and losing some fat.