Trying not to give up-and starting again
rowdylibrarian
Posts: 251 Member
So… I kind of gave up tracking on here for a month or so while I adjusted to my new job, and I'm ready to begin again. I need to seriously evaluate how many calories I should be eating. Now that I'm not a newbie anymore, I know a bit more about the various "methods" here (EM2WL, IF, Eat Less/Move More, 1200 cals, TDEE -%, etc.) Each has their proponents and detractors, and I'm open to hearing about almost anything that is a healthy choice at this point.
I'm 40, Female, 5'3", 162 pounds, about 37% body fat, medium-boned, and frustrated.
Normal adult body weight was always around 130. I gained a lot of weight (topped out at 211 lbs during a chronic illness, a side effect being that food wasn’t processing properly, just being stored), and once I went into remission, I lost weight down to about 170. Then I stayed there for a couple of years, and started WW. Dropped a few pounds, and gained them right back when I stopped eating at such a low level on a break from it.
I’ve been doing a level of 1358 for quite a few months now, but realistically, for the last month or two, I haven’t been weighing and measuring as much as I should. When I HAD been doing that, and I really did measure and weigh everything, it wasn’t making a difference, so I just stopped when I stopped tracking carefully while the new job adjustment was happening. So I was probably eating closer to 1500 or so, if I take that into account. I did track everything, even if it was naughty, like ice cream (my favorite).
I never did cheat days or days off until I started the new job in December, and that was a mistake, and led to more days off than I had intended. When I DID start having non-tracking days, I didn’t really eat very differently than I had been doing. I’m not a binge-type person, thankfully.
Average intake of protein, carbs, and fats is set to 25/50/25, but I rarely hit that. It was usually more like 20/50/30. Grams-wise, the best average I can figure is around 70/190/51.
Since my tested RMR was 1195, do I really need to eat closer to that level in order to lose weight? No calorie level that I have chosen so far has actually worked, and I've stuck with them for long periods of time. 1200? 1358? 1400? 1660 (my probable TDEE)? Nada. Cardio and/or weight lifting didn't make a change in weight or inches, either.
Doctor says its not medical. I am hypothyroid, but it’s controlled, and at normal levels again. They are satisfied that my thyroid is not the answer.
Exercise-wise, when I first started, it was summer, and I wasn’t working, so I was walking a lot. That stopped when I went back to work, and my job is semi-sedentary now. I started “lifting heavy” at the end of the summer, and stopped in December (with the job). I had no change in pounds or inches during that time.
It seems like every calorie level I choose IS my maintenance level, since that's all I do. I'm neither gaining, nor losing. I’m actually two pounds up from where I started in June, but I’ve been here for a while. I lost a few pounds in the very beginning at the pre-set 1200 level, and then they came back once I started to listen to everyone saying how bad 1200 is for most people. I’m just stuck. I had already thought about this group, and then a couple of people reminded me of it, too, so here I am. I'd appreciate some input! Thanks!
I'm 40, Female, 5'3", 162 pounds, about 37% body fat, medium-boned, and frustrated.
Normal adult body weight was always around 130. I gained a lot of weight (topped out at 211 lbs during a chronic illness, a side effect being that food wasn’t processing properly, just being stored), and once I went into remission, I lost weight down to about 170. Then I stayed there for a couple of years, and started WW. Dropped a few pounds, and gained them right back when I stopped eating at such a low level on a break from it.I’ve been doing a level of 1358 for quite a few months now, but realistically, for the last month or two, I haven’t been weighing and measuring as much as I should. When I HAD been doing that, and I really did measure and weigh everything, it wasn’t making a difference, so I just stopped when I stopped tracking carefully while the new job adjustment was happening. So I was probably eating closer to 1500 or so, if I take that into account. I did track everything, even if it was naughty, like ice cream (my favorite).
I never did cheat days or days off until I started the new job in December, and that was a mistake, and led to more days off than I had intended. When I DID start having non-tracking days, I didn’t really eat very differently than I had been doing. I’m not a binge-type person, thankfully.
Average intake of protein, carbs, and fats is set to 25/50/25, but I rarely hit that. It was usually more like 20/50/30. Grams-wise, the best average I can figure is around 70/190/51.
Since my tested RMR was 1195, do I really need to eat closer to that level in order to lose weight? No calorie level that I have chosen so far has actually worked, and I've stuck with them for long periods of time. 1200? 1358? 1400? 1660 (my probable TDEE)? Nada. Cardio and/or weight lifting didn't make a change in weight or inches, either.
Doctor says its not medical. I am hypothyroid, but it’s controlled, and at normal levels again. They are satisfied that my thyroid is not the answer.
Exercise-wise, when I first started, it was summer, and I wasn’t working, so I was walking a lot. That stopped when I went back to work, and my job is semi-sedentary now. I started “lifting heavy” at the end of the summer, and stopped in December (with the job). I had no change in pounds or inches during that time.
It seems like every calorie level I choose IS my maintenance level, since that's all I do. I'm neither gaining, nor losing. I’m actually two pounds up from where I started in June, but I’ve been here for a while. I lost a few pounds in the very beginning at the pre-set 1200 level, and then they came back once I started to listen to everyone saying how bad 1200 is for most people. I’m just stuck. I had already thought about this group, and then a couple of people reminded me of it, too, so here I am. I'd appreciate some input! Thanks!
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Replies
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sara or side steel will be answering, but I just wanted to chime in and say kudos for toughing it out. No one said it was going to be easy. Congrats!!!!:drinker: :drinker:0
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Thanks! 0
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Tagging so I get back to tomorrow0
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Tagging so I get back to tomorrow
Yay! Looking forward to your thoughts, thanks! 0 -
Forgot to say (and I probably don't have to in this group), that I'm not willing to try anything like Shakeology or anything like that. 0
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Forgot to say (and I probably don't have to in this group), that I'm not willing to try anything like Shakeology or anything like that.
:laugh: this is probably the one place on mfp where you won't get asinine suggestions like that.0 -
Forgot to say (and I probably don't have to in this group), that I'm not willing to try anything like Shakeology or anything like that.
I am really trying not to be rude, so please do not take it that way, but the thought of either myself or SideSteel suggesting anything like shakeology is hysterical.0 -
I knew that you wouldn't, but I realized I said I was willing to try pretty much anything. Though I think I did say anything "healthy". Lol.0
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Your RMR is really quite low.
My recommendation is to:
- strength train 3 x a week (full body)
- do a couple of hours cardio a week
- try to increase meat (non-exercise activity)
- weigh, measure and log everything
- set your calorie target at 1,500 with macros at: minimum protein of 110g and fats of 73g (a little higher the usual as a 'just in case' re your thyroid) with the balance going wherever...but I would try not to have too much going to carbs.
Keep at this for at least 4 weeks and check back so we can re-assess.
The above assumes that the medical issue you had before is no longer a factor.0 -
Forgot to say (and I probably don't have to in this group), that I'm not willing to try anything like Shakeology or anything like that.
I am really trying not to be rude, so please do not take it that way, but the thought of either myself or SideSteel suggesting anything like shakeology is hysterical.
I would suggest upregulation of NEAT through vigorous *kitten* before I'd suggest Shakeology.0 -
Forgot to say (and I probably don't have to in this group), that I'm not willing to try anything like Shakeology or anything like that.
I am really trying not to be rude, so please do not take it that way, but the thought of either myself or SideSteel suggesting anything like shakeology is hysterical.
I would suggest upregulation of NEAT through vigorous *kitten* before I'd suggest Shakeology.
Dude, you would suggest that before most things! That is not exactly making your point!0 -
Forgot to say (and I probably don't have to in this group), that I'm not willing to try anything like Shakeology or anything like that.
I am really trying not to be rude, so please do not take it that way, but the thought of either myself or SideSteel suggesting anything like shakeology is hysterical.
I would suggest upregulation of NEAT through vigorous *kitten* before I'd suggest Shakeology.
Dude, you would suggest that before most things! That is not exactly making your point!
Whoops.0 -
Forgot to say (and I probably don't have to in this group), that I'm not willing to try anything like Shakeology or anything like that.
I don't get out much, so I had to Google what Shakeology is. I thought maybe it was those shaking dumbbells. :laugh:
Elaine in CO0 -
Oh, I thought it was where you put all your food in a blender because "it increases the surface area and therefore nutrient uptake/digestability of the food" . Because your teeth don't do that already.....0
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Forgot to say (and I probably don't have to in this group), that I'm not willing to try anything like Shakeology or anything like that.
I am really trying not to be rude, so please do not take it that way, but the thought of either myself or SideSteel suggesting anything like shakeology is hysterical.
I would suggest upregulation of NEAT through vigorous *kitten* before I'd suggest Shakeology.
Dude, you would suggest that before most things! That is not exactly making your point!
Whoops.
LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!! That would certainly increase the NEAT factor!0 -
Your RMR is really quite low.
My recommendation is to:
- strength train 3 x a week (full body)
- do a couple of hours cardio a week
- try to increase meat (non-exercise activity)
- weigh, measure and log everything
- set your calorie target at 1,500 with macros at: minimum protein of 110g and fats of 73g (a little higher the usual as a 'just in case' re your thyroid) with the balance going wherever...but I would try not to have too much going to carbs.
Keep at this for at least 4 weeks and check back so we can re-assess.
The above assumes that the medical issue you had before is no longer a factor.
Thank you! Yes, the medical stuff is all in remission, so that's good. That would give me a percentage ratio of protein/fat/carbs of 30/45/25. Is that really right?0 -
Your RMR is really quite low.
My recommendation is to:
- strength train 3 x a week (full body)
- do a couple of hours cardio a week
- try to increase meat (non-exercise activity)
- weigh, measure and log everything
- set your calorie target at 1,500 with macros at: minimum protein of 110g and fats of 73g (a little higher the usual as a 'just in case' re your thyroid) with the balance going wherever...but I would try not to have too much going to carbs.
Keep at this for at least 4 weeks and check back so we can re-assess.
The above assumes that the medical issue you had before is no longer a factor.
Thank you! Yes, the medical stuff is all in remission, so that's good. That would give me a percentage ratio of protein/fat/carbs of 30/45/25. Is that really right?
Yes, that correct, although you can always round down on the fats to 30/40/30 if you think that more achievable. I am not a low carb fan by any stretch if the imagination, however, as you have been at varying calorie levels without much success and with your prior history of thyroid issues, it make sense to try to restrict carbs and up fats somewhat as you may still have a sensitivity to them.0 -
I would suggest upregulation of NEAT through vigorous *kitten* before I'd suggest Shakeology.
Dude, you would suggest that before most things! That is not exactly making your point!
Sara, i'd argue you were suggesting just the same thing with your Freudian slip of "increasing Meat (non-exercise activity)! :laugh:0 -
I would suggest upregulation of NEAT through vigorous *kitten* before I'd suggest Shakeology.
Dude, you would suggest that before most things! That is not exactly making your point!
Sara, i'd argue you were suggesting just the same thing with your Freudian slip of "increasing Meat (non-exercise activity)! :laugh:
Oh *kitten*.0 -
I would suggest upregulation of NEAT through vigorous *kitten* before I'd suggest Shakeology.
Dude, you would suggest that before most things! That is not exactly making your point!
Sara, i'd argue you were suggesting just the same thing with your Freudian slip of "increasing Meat (non-exercise activity)! :laugh:
I noticed that, too, but I decided to politely not mention it. Lol.0
