How much do you eat?
beccamh
Posts: 85 Member
I am 2 weeks in and loving the program! Until now I haven't really thought about my diet too much except trying to hit 100+g of protein. I looked back over the last two weeks and I have eaten anywhere from 1300-2200 with an average of around 1500. I am 5'6'' 153lbs and work at a desk/computer 50 hours/week. I have been doing SL Monday, Wed, and Saturday.. and running 3 miles occasionally (4 times in the last 2 weeks). My ultimate goal is maintain my LBM while burning fat and getting down to smaller measurements.
So... tell me how much you're eating and what your goals are. Or if you have suggestions for me they are totally welcome
So... tell me how much you're eating and what your goals are. Or if you have suggestions for me they are totally welcome
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I probably should also mention that right now (unless I get some other advice!) I am planning on setting my diary at 1350 and eating back the calories I burn. When I logged 60minutes of lifting MFP said 209cals. Does that sound like an accurate estimate?0
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I eat a minimum of 1800 calories a day, more if I'm really active that day. To put it in perspective, I am 42 years old, weigh in the 190's, lift three times a week and do light cardio several times a week (nothing crazy so no super high calorie burns typically). I have been focusing on eating this way along with the weights for a few weeks now and have been losing size but not weight until the last few days. I woke up to having magically lost a few pounds the past few days so my body must be catching on to the plan.
I love lifting and am still very early into 5x5. In the past I've done P90X and did NROL4W for several weeks before I pooped out. I am pretty sure that I wasn't eating enough because this time doing weights I just feel strong and have the energy to do my workouts everyday whereas before I really had to force myself and then I'd end up sick.0 -
I eat 2800 calories a day-macros 40C/30P/30F. I am on the world's slowest bulk trying to gain muscle with minimal fat gains. Started a couple of months ago @ 127lbs & currently @ 130 last I weighed which was a couple of weeks ago.0
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I'm 5'7" and weigh 154 lbs. I eat 1500 calories a day (140 g Carbs, 125 g Protein and 50 g Fat). I do not eat back exercise calories. Right now I am in a deficit to lower my BF %.0
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WOW such a range of answers- 1500, 1800, 2800. Thanks for all the input so far.. I might try 1600 (no exercise cals) and see how I feel.0
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WOW such a range of answers- 1500, 1800, 2800. Thanks for all the input so far.. I might try 1600 (no exercise cals) and see how I feel.
Your metabolism speed will be the biggest factor in what you can eat. Of course that's going to vary for everyone.0 -
WOW such a range of answers- 1500, 1800, 2800. Thanks for all the input so far.. I might try 1600 (no exercise cals) and see how I feel.
Your metabolism speed will be the biggest factor in what you can eat. Of course that's going to vary for everyone.
Thank you!0 -
I am 5'7" and 183ish (depends on the day of the month). I am set at 1650 per day and I eat back my exercise calories. I should be slowly dropping weight, but I tend to emotionally eat and am usually closer to 2600 calories a day. If I could just quit work... heavy sigh. :huh:
I try to hit 100 gram or more of protein a day and supplement with a protein shake in the am and sometimes after my workout if I am home.0 -
Hi I am almost 41...eek 5 ft 7 and 167lbs
Mine is set at 1600 (TDEE-20%) but some days I am 1800-2000...depends on hunger and I don't eat back my exercise calories. It is very hard to approximate lifting calories is why.
Macros are P-30%, fat 25%, carbs 45% (I am considering changing them actually)
Main goal is lower bf% and lose inches...weight is irrelevant to me...but it's always nice.0 -
Intake is a lot of trial and error where lifting is involved.
I eat all the foods: I'm 5'4" and 169. I eat anywhere from 2200-2500 calories a day. I lift 4x a week and try to get an hour of cardio in over the week (Yeah, just one hour - in several 15 minute chunks). I only worry about protein, and try to get between 130-150g a day. I am on my feet half the day and chase a small person a lot. And I am not trying to lose my body fat (which is almost entirely in my belly) quickly, nor am I trying to weigh very much less - I imagine I will land somewhere around 155-160. At this intake I am losing inches at a slow but steady pace and I can keep progressing on my lifts. If I go under 2200, I stop progressing completely (I've been lifting for 7 months). So your intake is also tied to your goals.0 -
I have been successful at losing body fat (probably have lost around 20-25lbs of fat) since January 2013 by setting my calories at 1560, but definitely eating back my exercise calories. If I don't eat back my exercise calories I get really hungry and that is NOT sustainable for me. Plus what better way to justify going for a run than to know you can eat what you'd like at a fancy restaurant later that evening.
I like to look at the weekly average because sometimes I will be 500 cals under on the weekday and 500 calories over on my weekends. I like to be +/- 200 calories of my weekly NET calorie goal.
Fat loss has slowed down now but I am going to be patient. Any time I try to restrict myself I just end up failing miserably.
ETA I am 5'4, 165lbs with 23% BF measured on a body pod. My skeleton is apparently made of lead.0 -
I'm eating 1600 to 2000 calories. I am only 5'1" but I am also breastfeeding. I eat back my calories. And hey, I'm also two weeks into the program!0
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Thank you all! I guess it's pretty obvious that I need to use trial and error to figure out what works for me. After reading all of this and reading the FAQ on the main page I have decided to set my calories at 1600 (my TDEE -20% with 3 days/week exercise) and only eat back some of the exercise calories from running.
I figure I will give it two weeks and take measurements/weigh in and go from there.
xoxo0 -
ETA I am 5'4, 165lbs with 23% BF measured on a body pod. My skeleton is apparently made of lead.
This made me laugh but it sounds true! You should play that game at the fair where they guess your weight, you would win everytime 0
