CORRECT CALORIES FOR EM2LW??

flanary888

OK friends - I need some help. I am trying to figure out the correct number of calories I should be eating to kick my weight loss (and muscle gain) into high gear. Here is what I came up with via the Scooby calculator:

desk job - BMR: 1612 TDEE: 1935 20% CUT: 1548 calories to eat per day
1-3 hrs of light exercise - BMR: 1612 TDEE: 2217 20% CUT: 1773 calories to eat per day
3-5 hrs moderate exercise - BMR: 1612 TDEE: 1999 20% CUT: 1999 calories to eat per day

Here is where I get confused as to which scenario above to go by. I work in an office, so I am at a desk all day. I do workout 3-5 times a week, however my days vary based on what I have time for. I have been mixing it up with 30 min. Wii Dancing games, 40 min. runs (approx 3 miles), 45 min Zumba Toning class, 30 min JM 30DS dvd, 30-60 min Body Pump class, and the most exertion is my weekly 60 min. Body Step class.

So, where do I fall?? 1-3 hrs of light exercise? Should I be eating at least the 1773 each day? Right now I am between 1450-1550 but I find there are days I definitely over-eat b/c I am starving! I have at least 40lbs. to lose, so I want to do this the best way that I can, which will allow for the weight to come off and stay off.

Any and all help is appreciated!!!

seena511

go with the 3-5 hours of moderate exercise for 4 weeks. if at the end of 4 weeks you have gained or maintained, drop it by 100 calories/day for 4 more weeks and then reassess. keep dropping by 100 calories at a time until you start losing at a good rate, then stay there.