Concerned I'm not eating enough?

davidrolfe79
davidrolfe79 Posts: 13 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello, first time poster here!

Been using MFP since mid July and have gone from 130kg to 119kg in that time by using a calorie deficit and a half arsed attempt at P90X.

MFP tells me I should be eating just over 1900 cals but I tend to eat less than this, more like 1400-1500 and then 1800-1900 if I train that day. I'm 6'1" so my BMR is quite high too.

The problem I have is that eating at this amount seems to be OK, I am building muscle, losing fat and generally feel OK.

Should I be concerned and try to eat more? Will I see big difference if I up my intake to the suggested amount or higher? What would be the best way to try to experiment?

Thanks!

Replies

  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,571 Member
    The two big concerns are getting good nutrition (your diary will tell you) and losing fat, not muscle. You say you aren't doing that, but I would look at it carefully. Resistance training will help.
  • davidrolfe79
    davidrolfe79 Posts: 13 Member
    Thanks.

    Nutrition wise, I'd say I'm pretty good. All fresh food, plenty of fruit and veg, bit of dairy, some carbs and plenty of protein. Nothing pre-prepared at all.

    Resistance work is there and I can see results. I think my weight would have been lower if it wasn't for some muscle developing instead. My belly is smaller than it's been in a long time!

    Would I be safe to just continue as I am unless I see muscle going or plateau on the weight loss?
  • jetabear10
    jetabear10 Posts: 375 Member
    I only aim for 1500 cals a day (more on work out days) as per my personal trainers instructions...it seems to be working for me and if its working for you...horray!

    I think the starvation comments are more for the peeps that always eat 1200 and less....
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Isn't P90X one of they systems that comes with a nutrition guide? What does it recommend you eat?
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    I'm guessing that you are underestimating your food. If you are building muscle, you are eating more than 1400 calories/day.

    That said, as long as you are consistent, it doesn't really matter what the numbers are. I.e. if I consistently underestimate by 20%, then you would need to eat 1520 calories to hit an actual of 1900. If you feel good, you are seeing results that you are happy with, don't change anything until you need to.
  • davidrolfe79
    davidrolfe79 Posts: 13 Member
    Perhaps I'm mistaking building muscle, for losing fat and being able to see it?!

    Resistance exercises have gotten easier over time and weights increase. So I guess I must be to some extent.

    I only end up around 1400-1500 when I don't train though. If I exercise I will use a shake or muesli/milk to get that extra 300-400 calories.

    The P90X programme does have a nutrition guide and that puts me at a target of 2200ish. We have an 18 month old son (that is my motivation!) and trying to cook for all of us and stick to the suggested diet just isn't practical, nor affordable!
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    well, that is the other option. Can you measure your %body fat for a while and track it? Or take body measurements.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    July + calorie deficit + P90X =/= muscle building.

    You may well be shedding body fat, and you may be holding a bit more water due to the workouts, but I doubt you are building any significant/noticeable muscle.

    The other thing I don't get is you say you're concerned you're not eating enough, but then you go on to say that you feel good, workouts are good, body is good, etc etc.

    What's the problem? Just that you aren't hitting MFP's goal?

    Your numbers do seem a little low to me, but if you feel good and are happy with the results/progress, keep going.
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