3 weeks change in abs... opinions?

peachfigs
peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been doing 1200 calories for 3 weeks now, with some cardio (spinning) and HIIT strengthening exercises... I've lost 3 lbs so far. Here's my body 3 weeks ago:

screenshot20130220at221.png

And then just took this one 5 minutes ago... after a workout, so apologies for the glamorous sports bra and weird baggy pants :laugh: So this is the difference I'm seeing. Do you think there is a little muscle definition coming in here? Or is it bloat? Looks a bit puffy at the bottom of the stomach.

screenshot20130220at221.png
«1

Replies

  • babydiego87
    babydiego87 Posts: 905 Member
    i can def see a change!
  • peachfigs
    peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
    :flowerforyou: even if it is only slightly..
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    I don't see it. Sorry.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Why such a low calorie intake? Aren't you concerned about catabolilzing muscle?
  • peachfigs
    peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
    Why such a low calorie intake? Aren't you concerned about catabolilzing muscle?

    Should I be? I really don't know much about building muscle, so any help/advice would be appreciated :smile:

    1200 is the calorie intake suggested by MFP, and I'm not hungry on it... yet...
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Why such a low calorie intake? Aren't you concerned about catabolilzing muscle?

    Should I be? I really don't know much about building muscle, so any help/advice would be appreciated :smile:

    1200 is the calorie intake suggested by MFP, and I'm not hungry on it... yet...

    Well if you're diligently logging your exercise as accurately as possible and "eating back those calories" so that you net 1200, then it's a wash. But if you're taking in a flat 1200, I would be concerned about muscle loss, fatigue, burnout stuff like that

    Another approach, which is my preferred approach right now, is to find your TDEE, then take out a modest deficit and use that as a fixed calorie target. My favorite TDEE calc is this nice simple one: http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html. There are more elaborate ones that take a whole bunch of inputs, but I don't find the particularly more accurate.

    In the end, they should work out about the same with either method; I just find the TDEE approach simpler to manage and simpler to make changes to (for example, you can go 4 weeks then decide you need to increase or decrease cals by 100 or 200; and you don't have itemized exercise as yet another variable to worry about.)

    More info here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    Why such a low calorie intake? Aren't you concerned about catabolilzing muscle?

    Should I be? I really don't know much about building muscle, so any help/advice would be appreciated :smile:

    1200 is the calorie intake suggested by MFP, and I'm not hungry on it... yet...

    you should be eating 1200 + exercise calories if you're following the MFP method.
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
    Depending on your height and age and how active you are, I'd say between 1600 and 1900 cals a day is more realistic and better for muscle retention.
  • peachfigs
    peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
    Why such a low calorie intake? Aren't you concerned about catabolilzing muscle?

    Should I be? I really don't know much about building muscle, so any help/advice would be appreciated :smile:

    1200 is the calorie intake suggested by MFP, and I'm not hungry on it... yet...

    you should be eating 1200 + exercise calories if you're following the MFP method.

    I eat 1,200 and burn off some with exercise. If I'm hungry I eat them back, which is most days, but if I'm not I don't.
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
    Unless you are are very short, your BMR is likely to more than 1200 calories. I thoroughly recommend eating 300-400 below you TDEE. You will retain muscle and burn fat. Dropping calories too much means the bodies hormonal systems try to adapt quickly to return to homeostasis.
  • peachfigs
    peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
    Depending on your height and age and how active you are, I'd say between 1600 and 1900 cals a day is more realistic and better for muscle retention.

    A calorie count that high scares me a little. What if I don't burn off my fat?

    edit:

    I'm 5'1 or 5' ish. So yeah, pretty short.

    And what is TDEE? :blushing:
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Depending on your height and age and how active you are, I'd say between 1600 and 1900 cals a day is more realistic and better for muscle retention.

    A calorie count that high scares me a little. What if I don't burn off my fat?

    Compute the number yourself. 1600-1900 sounds about right for a healthy, active young female like yourself.

    People who have been conditioned to think that the less we eat the better (which is a lot of us) do sometimes get scared at the number at first. But the laws of thermodynamics trump fear every time.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    You should not be afraid of food or afraid of eating.

    I do agree with the other posters. You most likely should be eating more. Significantly more. For right now, it may be working, but my bet is that...eventually, you will see your energy decrease and your workouts will suffer.

    For the record. I'm eating a net of 2000 cals a day. I've gone from 28% BF to 21% BF eating quite a bit more than 1200 a day.
  • peachfigs
    peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
    You should not be afraid of food or afraid of eating.

    I do agree with the other posters. You most likely should be eating more. Significantly more. For right now, it may be working, but my bet is that...eventually, you will see your energy decrease and your workouts will suffer.

    For the record. I'm eating a net of 2000 cals a day. I've gone from 28% BF to 21% BF eating quite a bit more than 1200 a day.

    You look amazing in your photos. I am looking into upping the calories as my activity level has now changed. I used to be sedentary (as in, literally sitting on my bum all day doing my graphic design job) and now I guess I'm 'moderately active'?
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    And what is TDEE? :blushing:

    Guess you didn't read the link I included in my post above? :ohwell:
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    I see a bit of definition. Keep plugging away.
  • BeckZombie
    BeckZombie Posts: 138 Member
    I'm 5 feet tall and have more to lose than you do, and 1300 is fine for me. Though, I basically try to eat between 1300 and 1500, which is what my TDEE minus 20% is (unless I did the math wrong. I'm awful at math haha)

    I think you should consider upping your calories at least a bit. I'm not a scientist, but I've heard a lot about how 1200 can ruin your metabolism. Try eating some higher-calorie healthy foods like nuts, peanut butter and avocado, or cooking with olive oil. That way you're just eating a tiny bit more, but getting a more healthy number of calories.
  • harric88
    harric88 Posts: 82 Member
    You looked great before!!! I think theres a difference. Good work keep it up :) x
  • SoozeE512
    SoozeE512 Posts: 439 Member
    The change in lighting and body angle make it hard to see a true comparison between the two pictures.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    There is no way I could eat 1200 calories a day. I tried it and always went over and if I didn't I was hungry (I will admit that sometimes I do eat that much but not on purpose). Not only that but I didn't lose any weight eating that little.

    Right now I have my calories set at 1530 (I am thinking of upping them a bit) and regardless of my exercise I strive to consume that amount.

    And to go back to your original post in all honesty I really don't see a difference.
  • peachfigs
    peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
    And what is TDEE? :blushing:

    Guess you didn't read the link I included in my post above? :ohwell:

    I am now, and thanks for all of the info you posted :wink: I'm just ploughing through it all
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    It's difficult to give a valid opinion on whether there is a difference when the pictures are taken from two different angles. Different angles give different perspectives. :flowerforyou:
  • Lifting_Knitter
    Lifting_Knitter Posts: 1,025 Member
    The change in lighting and body angle make it hard to see a true comparison between the two pictures.

    Agreed, it is difficult
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    Yes i can see it - above the belly button which is generally where mines shows up first as well
  • peachfigs
    peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
    It's difficult to give a valid opinion on whether there is a difference when the pictures are taken from two different angles. Different angles give different perspectives. :flowerforyou:

    Eh..I thought they were the same angle, but then again it's hard taking a photo with a rubbishy camera phone :laugh: Never mind, the discussion turned into something more interesting anyway!
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
    I give you opinion based on the fact I coach people for getting into shape for comp's etc. 1200 is not enough. You WILL go catabolic. You will burn muscle. You will put weight back on much more easily. 1200 will be below your BMR, which is never good to go beyond.

    My fiancee did this from September til end of Jan (with most of October off), an hour or so in the gym and zero cardio, there or there abouts... bar a few sessions.

    septembertiljanuary.jpg
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
    I find this useful:

    http://www.globalrph.com/harris-benedict-equation.htm
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    I don't see it.. your second photo is darker and has a completely different tone to it (and body position). Take your after photos around the same time as you took your before photo, same lighting, same pose.

    Also 1200 cals a day will make you lose muscle, and you don't want that. Eat more, lift heavy.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    You should not be afraid of food or afraid of eating.

    I do agree with the other posters. You most likely should be eating more. Significantly more. For right now, it may be working, but my bet is that...eventually, you will see your energy decrease and your workouts will suffer.

    For the record. I'm eating a net of 2000 cals a day. I've gone from 28% BF to 21% BF eating quite a bit more than 1200 a day.

    You look amazing in your photos. I am looking into upping the calories as my activity level has now changed. I used to be sedentary (as in, literally sitting on my bum all day doing my graphic design job) and now I guess I'm 'moderately active'?

    Thank you!! I think you will be happy with the changes you see once you up your calories to a more reasonable amount!
  • mareeee1234
    mareeee1234 Posts: 674 Member
    Good progress! And sometimes I get bloated after working out, so don't worry

    And on a more serious note....
    Yes, EAT MORE! You will stall if you continue like this, and it is just unhealthy. I was eating that much too, like many others..but so glad I got help on here, and am now eating moreee and seeing results. Also - LIFT !!!

    All the best, and listen to the advice, please! :smile:

Categories