Do you guys I should keep losing weight?

nextelvaldes
nextelvaldes Posts: 8 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm not sure if I should keep losing weight or If I should maintain this weight and start building more muscle. Currently I am 183 but haven't weighed myself in maybe 2 weeks, so gave or take. Lately I have been in and out of my diet and eating pretty crappy so my weight loss has slowed considerably but is at a more healthy pace. Been having crazy cravings and been getting fairly lazy so I am going to add more calories to my diet. The past 2 months have been pretty inconsistent. I am 5'8 and my goal is 160, although it is realistic I was curious to see if you guys think it would be a good idea to maintain this weight and just add more muscle or it's better to slim down more and then build more muscle? And if you guys have any diet tips to control my hunger and if you think I am eating to little and whatnot. The help will be appreciated, thanks in advance. Photo that is up is about a week old and just let me know If you want me to upload other pictures if may help.

Replies

  • emarose90
    emarose90 Posts: 52
    Hi!

    The first thing I notice about your post is that you admit that your eating has been a bit crap recently - which won't make you feel any better in yourself, regardless of what the scales say. You also say that you've been getting a bit lazy, so maybe try to plan and organise your meals more? I know that this works wonders for me - I plan my meals for the week and stick to it. Much easier to control what you eat when you only shop for what you need. Your diary also has a lot of the same items (works for some people, including me) but maybe you need a shake up to the foods you're eating?

    Secondly, I've had a very quick look at your diary and just wondered if you have your calories set to what MFP has given you or if you're using your TDEE to work it out?

    Emma x
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    I'm not sure if I should keep losing weight or If I should maintain this weight and start building more muscle. Currently I am 183 but haven't weighed myself in maybe 2 weeks, so gave or take. Lately I have been in and out of my diet and eating pretty crappy so my weight loss has slowed considerably but is at a more healthy pace. Been having crazy cravings and been getting fairly lazy so I am going to add more calories to my diet. The past 2 months have been pretty inconsistent. I am 5'8 and my goal is 160, although it is realistic I was curious to see if you guys think it would be a good idea to maintain this weight and just add more muscle or it's better to slim down more and then build more muscle? And if you guys have any diet tips to control my hunger and if you think I am eating to little and whatnot. The help will be appreciated, thanks in advance. Photo that is up is about a week old and just let me know If you want me to upload other pictures if may help.

    I just looked at your food diary.

    It looks like your eating at TDEE-20%?

    I would go to maintenance and strength train.

    Give it a month or two and see where you're at.

    After that you can decide whether or not you want to enter a bulking or cutting phase.

    As for diet shoot for 1gram of protein and .35 grams of fat per lb of Lean body mass.

    If it fits your macros than eat it. At the same time include lots of fruit and vegetables.
  • chantelp89
    chantelp89 Posts: 590 Member
    My SO's 5'9-5'10 and he looked really great at around 180. I'd start focusing more on strength training and less on weight at this point. If you lose another 20lb, you'll put on muscle weight so you'll most likely end back up around 170-180 anyway
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    You should always be trying to build muscle during weight loss.. I would lift heavy, up your calories on days you workout and evaluate again in two to three months. Throw away your scale during this process and bring out the measuring tape and calipers.
  • nextelvaldes
    nextelvaldes Posts: 8 Member
    .
  • AvsFreak
    AvsFreak Posts: 152 Member
    You look right around 10%-12% body fat which is great. You're 18, prime years for adding some muscle. You're hungry because you're growing like a madman right now. Work up to maintenance and stay there for awhile, then try a clean bulk, (and by "clean" I mean just 200-300 over maintenance, not just clean calories, eat whatever you want) to minimize fat gain but still give your body enough fuel to build muscle. Find a good lifting program that works for your schedule and be consistent. The gains will come.
  • nextelvaldes
    nextelvaldes Posts: 8 Member
    Hi!

    The first thing I notice about your post is that you admit that your eating has been a bit crap recently - which won't make you feel any better in yourself, regardless of what the scales say. You also say that you've been getting a bit lazy, so maybe try to plan and organise your meals more? I know that this works wonders for me - I plan my meals for the week and stick to it. Much easier to control what you eat when you only shop for what you need. Your diary also has a lot of the same items (works for some people, including me) but maybe you need a shake up to the foods you're eating?

    Secondly, I've had a very quick look at your diary and just wondered if you have your calories set to what MFP has given you or if you're using your TDEE to work it out?

    Emma x

    Thanks for the advice, I will start planning my meals ahead, probably keep me on track more. My food choices are limited because my taste buds won't let me,lol, if that makes sense? I am a very picky eater but I am also open to trying news things. I am using TDEE but I modified it a bit to suit me a bit better.
  • nextelvaldes
    nextelvaldes Posts: 8 Member
    You look right around 10%-12% body fat which is great. You're 18, prime years for adding some muscle. You're hungry because you're growing like a madman right now. Work up to maintenance and stay there for awhile, then try a clean bulk, (and by "clean" I mean just 200-300 over maintenance, not just clean calories, eat whatever you want) to minimize fat gain but still give your body enough fuel to build muscle. Find a good lifting program that works for your schedule and be consistent. The gains will come.

    Could the "clean" bulk be a protein shake? Def. will give this a try. Most likely I will set up a appointment with my college's gym to measure my body fat percentage and work my way from their.
  • AvsFreak
    AvsFreak Posts: 152 Member
    Could the "clean" bulk be a protein shake? Def. will give this a try. Most likely I will set up a appointment with my college's gym to measure my body fat percentage and work my way from their.

    I would try to get at least 1-1.5 grams of protein (any sources) per pound of lean body weight, which for you would probably be about 150g. Get 1/2 a gram of fat per pound of total body weight, so 60g at least, fill the rest of your calories for the day with carbs or even more protein and fat. As long as you are hitting your minimum protein and fat goals, you can eat whatever you like. (Shakes, chicken, steak, bacon!) Make sure to eat lots of veggies too!

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