Petite female help with calorie goal

sixdayoldcheeze

Hi there! I'm a 23 year old petite female. 5 foot 2 inches and 104 lbs. My calorie goal is 1590 and think that is too much to intake. I'm trying to maintain my weight and just gain some lean muscle. I'm trying to lose a bit of lower belly pooch and feel like eating a 1590 calorie diet is too much so I tend to just eat 1200cal. Is that too low? Whenever i eat that low i tend to get hungry more.My diet consists of a lean protein meats like tilapia, chicken, and turkey patty with veggie sides. i also take a protein shake just to supplement my protein deficit. for snacks in between each meal i eat things like chobani yogurt with almonds, a banana, or sometimes half an avocado. My workout contains cardio of 4x a week consisting of interval running for half an hour. Jogging for 2 mins and sprinting for 30 secs 6-8 times. I also do strength training on alternate days. Any advice would help. Thanks!

MysticRealm

If you want to gain muscle you have to eat in a surplus (which will also equal some fat gains, which you will take care of by cutting after you gain the muscle you want)

sixdayoldcheeze

Oh okay so It's okay to be eating a 1590 calorie diet for my height and weight?

aerynth

If you're that active, that's not a lot of calories at all. When I lift heavily, I eat more calories for energy and to gain muscle.

srk369

I'm also 5' 2" but I weigh more than you. I'm currently at 134lbs. I'm eating at a deficit at 1600-1700 but for my activity, my maintenance would be around 2000. I can see where 1590 wouldn't be too much for you at all. Good luck!!

sixdayoldcheeze

Oh okay! I will definitely consume more calories. Thanks everyone for your help!