How many calories should I eat? advice/suggestions.

cryswest57

Once my husband and I move next month, I want to get a gym membership. I am four months post-partum, and I had a c-section. I really would like to be tone all around, and of course, I want my stomach to be flat again. I am short. I'm 5'1". I have a more athletic built so I know I will never be "skinny." Right now, I am just taking care of my baby, and I'm a full time college student so I put down sedentary for my activity level. I'm eating 1270 calories right now as recommended by mfp. I weigh 152 lbs right now. I do not plan to become a vegetarian or vegan although I respect them. I eat healthy overall, but I do not plan to never treat myself. This was all my background information which I can think of.



My question is how many calories should I eat when I workout in the gym? I plan to workout everyday, and my goal is to burn anywhere from 500-800 calories per day.

Thank you!

MorgueBabe

Did you read this thread?
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Greenrun99

Did you read this thread?
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

now_or_never13

Did you read this thread?
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

This! There is a lot of great advice in this thread!

Also, don't workout everyday. Take a rest day at least once a week.

Also, focus on strength training and building muscle which will help change the look of your body more than losing some weight via cardio and diet.

If you want to focus on a bit of weight loss first ensure you eat enough, consume enough protein and lift heavy weights so you retain the muscle you have.

I would imagine the 1270 cal goal is too low for you. I also doubt you are sedetary. Most of us are actually at least lightly active... i'm sure when you are home with baby you aren't just sitting down all day everyday.

danibu98

Are you nursing? If so you need between 400-600 extra calories for milk production.

cryswest57

Thank you all! I do a lot of school work online so I'm sitting quite a bit, but I am up on my feet with my baby throughout the day too so I guess I'm lightly active. In regards to lifting heavy weights, I'm not really that strong so how much should I start at? I can picture what I will look like when I reach my goal, and I'm very excited to get there. I only really want to lose about 28 more pounds, but it'll take awhile to get there. I will need my husband's help with lifting weights so I don't look dumb lol.

cryswest57

Are you nursing? If so you need between 400-600 extra calories for milk production.

No, I'm not. It just didn't happen. My baby boy is huge though haha. He will be tall like his daddy.

EmmaJean7

Read the link of what the thread the above people sent it changed my understanding of what eating calories meant. I found out based on my avtivity level and height gender etc, I went from eating like 1300 calories at first (only to learn that was starving my body and it was actually holding onto fat as a result) to now consuming 1900 cals a day for what I should eat to lose weight but maintian or build muscle. The above links will point you to some cal calculators that will get you in the right direction.

A second tip! You are a mom and in school. I highly reccomend starting with an at home dvd like the Jilian Michaels 30 day shred. It is FREE on youtube (Just search for it) and all you need is a mat (or carpet) your lap top and some light weights and about 30 minutes and you can do it at home! It is great for beginners and combines strength, cardio and abs. Its a good "kick start" for beginners that is challenging but not to overwhelming and in the convenience of your own home. I am doing that right now but alternating it with a program called "couch to 5k" that takes you from being a couch potato to walk/jog/ then at the end of 9 weeks being able to run for 30 mins straight without walking. You can google the free couch to 5 k podcast and program to learn more about it if you are interested. This program is also 30 mins. I alternate them everyday so Im getting strength trainging and cardio both in. Its great for begginners just starting out (like me hah..) and if you are a busy lady all these tools are only 30 mins a day and its all free except for maybe some 3-5 lb dumbells you might buy and maybe a yoga mat. I am not getting bunt out and am seeing a huge increase in my energy just after 2 weeks

lmfaulkner9

I would target maybe 4-5 workouts per week. You don't want to overdue it and I imagine you are going to be busy with your baby. As for weight training, only you can tell how much you should be lifting. You want to push yourself but not too much (especially at first). Burning 500-800 calories is really high especially with just starting back out at the gym. I work out (run) 4 days per week and I burn about 450 calories most days after about an hour at the gym between running, weights, abs (and more on weekends when I run far). Just try to change it up, having longer work outs some days.

I am 5'3" and 123.5 lbs. I eat 1,500 calories per day. I don't eat back my exercise calories during the week, but I treat myself on the weekends and eat back some or all of my exercise calories.

cryswest57

Thank you all for the great suggestions so far!