Daily Calories... Does this seem right?

diaryofaskinnygirl
diaryofaskinnygirl Posts: 146
in Food and Nutrition
Hi guys, just wondering if this seems ok to you all.

I am 19 and 5'4, and 20% body fat according the the electronic machine at my dietician's office. I don't really weigh myself but I am estimating that I weigh around 120-125. My mother weighs me as it ruins my life when I do.

Anyway, I am currently eating 1200-1400 calories, but mostly I hover around 1300. I do a strength training program at the gym 2-3 times a week and am quite active day to day.

Does this seem like enough? I have upped my calories to around 1600 in the past when I used to go on 3-4 1 hour long sessions on the treadmill per week, I lost body fat but not weight...

What do you guys think?

Thanks for the help :)

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    i would estimate you need somewhere in the range 1460 - 1780 to maintain weight without much exercise.

    20 % body fat is close to the minimum for fertile women.
  • diaryofaskinnygirl
    diaryofaskinnygirl Posts: 146
    i would estimate you need somewhere in the range 1460 - 1780 to maintain weight without much exercise.

    20 % body fat is close to the minimum for fertile women.

    So does that mean I'm eating the right amount to lose? I do exercise regularly, I cycle 3 times a week, walk a lot and run 2-3 times a week on the treadmill.

    I thought that before but then a lot of people told me that it was ok to go below 20%?
  • wllwsmmr
    wllwsmmr Posts: 391 Member
    You could try this: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    But ultimately I'd say experiment with it! See how your energy levels are like, hunger levels, how you feel etc!
    Also, I'd go with higher cals first, and reduce gradually if it is not working! Give about a month for each caloric level!
    Since you're pretty active and strength training, I'd say you'd actually could try around 1800-2000cals (depending on how active you are!) On days you need more food you eat a little more, and vice versa! Just aim for a weekly goal so it'd be more flexible :D

    Also, If you're losing body fat, that means you're looking better right?! Why not measure instead of weighing since you don't like weighing! You're aiming to look better and not just chasing for a certain number right?

    I'd say as long as you're losing inches and/or body fat you are on the right track and shouldn't change your plans unless you're not feeling good with it!
  • diaryofaskinnygirl
    diaryofaskinnygirl Posts: 146
    You could try this: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    But ultimately I'd say experiment with it! See how your energy levels are like, hunger levels, how you feel etc!
    Also, I'd go with higher cals first, and reduce gradually if it is not working! Give about a month for each caloric level!
    Since you're pretty active and strength training, I'd say you'd actually could try around 1800-2000cals (depending on how active you are!) On days you need more food you eat a little more, and vice versa! Just aim for a weekly goal so it'd be more flexible :D

    Also, If you're losing body fat, that means you're looking better right?! Why not measure instead of weighing since you don't like weighing! You're aiming to look better and not just chasing for a certain number right?

    I'd say as long as you're losing inches and/or body fat you are on the right track and shouldn't change your plans unless you're not feeling good with it!

    I've tried that calculator but since I do not know my weight it's hard to find an accurate amount of calories to eat!

    This isn't my first time trying to lose weight, I've been trying for almost 2.5 years now, but I always end up eating extremely low calorie (600-800 a day) and screwing up my metabolism so I want to do it properly this time.

    Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate it :) I'm just not sure why the fat % came down but weight didn't, I wasn't doing strength training at that time, only running, so it couldn't have been from muscle.
  • obsidianwings
    obsidianwings Posts: 1,237 Member
    Possibly your fat came down, but you were retaining water so weight stayed up?
    Hard to say without being able to do calculators, but if you were losing body fat nicely at 1600 i would probably go with that. Its a bit of trial and error really, trying things until something works for you :)

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