Confirmation I'm On (or heading toward) the Right Track

duckiec

Ok, I've read the Newbie stuff, the questions, and the roadmap, and old posts of similar questions. I've done every BMR and TDEE calculator Goggle could find. But, I'm still a bit confused and hoping someone can confirm I'm on the right track- a bit of hand holding, if you don't mind.

36yo female, 173lbs (started at 183 end of Dec), 59 inches (4'11").
BMR: 1310-1510 (depending on source/method)
TDEE: 2077/2348 (not sure if I'm light or moderate exercise)

I work out 30-60 min 5/week, mostly cardio; 300-400cals/session according to my HRM

MFP originally set me to 1200 but I was cranky, so I manually set to 1450, based on a mid-range estimate of my BMR,and tinkering with numbers from other calcualtors. I usually eat some, or none of my exercise calories back, though I admit I've been staying a bit too far below in the past week- my diary is open. I actually ate more yesterday to try to make up for what I thought was too-big a defeciet for the week; a birthday party helped too.

I know it wasn't from one day of bad eating, and overall I'm doing fine (10ish lbs lost in 8wks) but I didn't lose this week, and I want to make changes as needed now before any further bad habits develop! And, if I can be eating more and getting the same results, even better!

Another important note- years, years, years ago I was anorexic, with a "less is better" mentality that I've had to start fighting anew now that I'm trying to be healthier. So, I have a great deal of anxiety with the idea that I could eat more, and LOSE more - my mind knows better, but my gut (ha ha) tells me it's counter-intuitive. One of my confusion points- do I want to eat my BMR in calories, or NET my BMR in calories? Looking back at my last couple of weeks, I have several days where I NET under 1200 or even 1000 cals, but ate around 1200-1500.

Any suggestions on where to go from here greatly appreciated! My plan as of now; make sure I eat 1400/cals a day at a minimum (not 1200 like I have been doing) mix it up with some higher days/eat some of those exercise cals back, challenge myself a bit more with exercise, and evaluate in a month or so. Again, any thoughts, tips, confirmations, or redirection very much welcome.

Thanks!

AllonsYtotheTardis

I would like to recommend you join this group on MFP:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress-

There are some highly knowledgeable folks there who would be willing to give you excellent advice.

In the general forums, you are going to get a wide range of advice - some will be good, and some will be utter crap. Sorting through it, can be problematic at best.

ladyraven68

You sound like me when I first started.

I am also 4ft 11, I started at 189lbs, eating 1200.

It make me feel dreadful so I did all the research you have just done, took lot's of advice, then happily lost 25lb eating 1600 calories a day.

I don't like the MFP exrcise calories method, so I based my 1600 per day on the TDEE of 2000 less 20% deficit, as I prefer to eat the same every day rather than eat low on non-exercise days.

Only thing I would suggest is to throw in some strength training instead of just doing cardio.

If you have not done anything before just google bodyweight exercises, and start with some squats/lunges/pushups

you might also want to look at your macros and adjust them to ensure you are getting enough protein
Try logging your food the day before so that you can tweak the meals to make sure you are reaching your goal. If you are just aiming for the lowest calorie meals you can think of, and logging the day you eat them, you could finish the day way under calories, but by logging in advance, you will be able to see if you are way under target, and then you can add in some much needed calories to reach your goal.

Good Luck

concordancia

The foods served at most birthday parties will lead to water retention, which may well have cancelled out your weight loss.

Even if that isn't the case, weight loss just is not linear - you lose one pound this week, none for two weeks, then three pounds in the fourth week.

For your health, it is generally recommended that you do some kind of strength training, as well as cardio. Heavy lifting, body weight exercises, resistance bands... Choose one and get started.

You are doing really well: keep it up!

duckiec

Thanks for your advice and support! I plan to start the 30-day shred soon, and I do some toning/strength, just not a lot, again, I'm stuck at the "maximizing calories" mindset. Not the best, but still healthier than I was late last year, not having exercised in years.

Oh, and if you look at my diary- I never record my water, but trust me, I float back and forth to the restroom several times a day. Water is not a problem!