Continue? Up calories?

yaseyuku
yaseyuku Posts: 871 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Yes, this is another thread about the 1200 calories per day, but I wanted some opinions because lately I've been considering upping this number.

I came off of a VLCD and upped my calories to 1200 per day. In doing this, I went from 58.8kg to about 60.4kg but stuck with it because I wanted to lose the weight healthily. At first, it was difficult for me to even eat the 1200 calories per day because I was used to eating less, but for the past three days or so, I'm feeling hungry even after 1200 and tired.

I'm not sure if this has to do with the low amount of calories or due to lack of sleep from finals.

Anyway, because of this, I'm considering upping my calories a bit but I don't want to undo any progress I have made. I know I can't maintain on 1200 forever though.

I'm 5'2.5" and today I weighed in at 59kg, meaning I have just .2kg left to lose before I'm back to the weight I was before I gained extra from increasing the calories.

According to Scooby's Workshop, my BMR is 1312 and my TDEE is 1575.

I'd describe myself as sedentary, though I live in a city so I probably walk a lot more than the average person and do really enjoy walking. I'm looking to incorporate exercise into my lifestyle (about 3-5 times per week? maybe more or less?) but have yet to find a routine that I enjoy enough to know I'll stick with it; I'm open to suggestions on that front too.

I follow the IIFIYM method. 100% clean eating, low carb, restriction of food groups, not allowing myself to eat what I want within my calories and macros is very counterproductive to me and in the past has caused me to develop more and more distorted eating patterns. I'm trying to break away from that, so a more restrictive diet doesn't seem like a good option for me at this time. I do, however, eat vegetables, fish, fruits, and tofu every day and this makes up a good portion of my daily food, though I still eat other things I enjoy if they fit in my calorie limit.

Am I eating too little? I don't want to up it again and gain a lot of weight but...

Replies

  • acidosaur
    acidosaur Posts: 295 Member
    If you're feeling really tired, especially if you're in the middle of finals, I would maybe increase to 1300-1400 or so, and see if you continue losing. If you do then stick at that.

    For me, as I am almost at the end of the weight loss 'journey' so to speak, exercise I enjoy has been a massive part of keeping a calorie deficit while also getting my energy levels up. For me I had to try a lot of different things before I found the routines and classes I really enjoy.

    My fave forms of exercise are a combination of cardio and light weights: kettlebells, hula hoop, zumba, street dance, legs bums and tums with dumbells, a free weight routine with barbells and dumbells given to me by a trainer (there are lots online too plus people here can advise you), and of course good old brisk walking everywhere you can. I squat lots with a barbell, which I really love.

    There is such a variety of exercise out there and all of it will benefit you in different ways, whether or not it contributes to a large calorie deficit. So keep looking!

    Good luck :)
  • luckycross
    luckycross Posts: 6
    Another option rather than increasing your cals (which will probably be necessary after you start working out) is to increase your carbs some. Working out daily really increases my energy level plus I eat more, so it's a win, win in the energy department.

    If you want to send me a p.m. with what kind of workout you are looking for, I'd be happy to help with that!
  • xjckemx
    xjckemx Posts: 95 Member
    Hi, we have similar stats, I'm 5 2 currently 112 pounds which I think is around 52kg ish. I have just upped to 1450 a day, prior to that I was 1400 and losing each week, I do 3 workouts a week generally a DVD for bout 30 mins a time. So nothing amazing. It's come off slowly around 9 llbs in 3 months, but it's easier to do as I still eat what I want within my cals. I think you've got scope to increase to at least 1300 maybe a bit more and see how u feel, then increase slightly again! Being at your weight, you haven't really got much to lose so its better for it to come off slowly.
  • stephaniethomas80
    stephaniethomas80 Posts: 190 Member
    Up them slowly. About 100 per week. And incorporate those workouts ASAP. I recommend 3 days of strength and 3 days of cardio. Or just 5 days of circuit training :)
  • yaseyuku
    yaseyuku Posts: 871 Member
    Another option rather than increasing your cals (which will probably be necessary after you start working out) is to increase your carbs some. Working out daily really increases my energy level plus I eat more, so it's a win, win in the energy department.

    If you want to send me a p.m. with what kind of workout you are looking for, I'd be happy to help with that!

    I love carbs and certainly wouldn't be opposed to upping them. I have my carbs and protein on default MLP goals right now.

    I'll PM you as well.

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