Plateau :(. Should I increase or decrease my cals?

fitspo145
fitspo145 Posts: 81
edited 11:11AM in Food and Nutrition
Hey guys. I've kind of hit a dead end the past week with only 1 more inch to go. I started at 1200 cals as an MFP noob but calculated by TDEE and bumped it up to 1700. I was feeling great and getting good results and never felt hungry! Now I started doing strength so I've increased my protein intake to 30% and am pretty much on the money most days of the week.

Soooo in light of this 2-week plateau I've decided to lower my cals to 1600 which still seems like much but now I'm freaking starving lol. Should I just power through, decrease or increase? I'm so confused. :tongue:

Oh my stats are 5'5 at 56kg. I finished Insanity about 2.5 weeks ago and am now just trying to get into a routine but exercise about 3-5 times per week at varying intensity. So one day I'll do an Insanity workout, rest, Stronglifts, rest, Stronglifts, Zumba, Yoga/Walking etc.

Replies

  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Week or even 2 is not long enough to mean a plateau...
  • fitspo145
    fitspo145 Posts: 81
    Ok how would I need to wait to establish it is one? I know it sounds like a real stupid question but I have no idea. This is my first few months of actually being disciplined in counting cals. I just assumed you lose around .5 lbs or so a week with a certain deficit.
  • phraxathity
    phraxathity Posts: 7
    When you hit plateau, it is good idea to try refeed day. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/sclark60.htm there is great article about it.
    But as meeper123 said, it is not long enough to mean a plateau, so for now I think best thing to do is just stick to your plan :)
    Wait another week or so and if situation won't change, then go ahead and try refeed day.

    BTW cool profile pic!
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Just keep it up and you will lose. It is a month or more at least.
  • fitspo145
    fitspo145 Posts: 81
    Thanks both of you! Will wait a bit and then reassess then.

    @JankowskiWojt Thanks! Picture was taken in El Nido in the Philippines. Definitely recommend it for a holiday! :happy:
  • RachelRuns9
    RachelRuns9 Posts: 585 Member
    You just started lifting weights? You may be replacing fat with muscle which would explain the scale not moving. I agree that you should wait it out a little longer! That seems like a healthy calorie intake and a healthy exercise routine and you will see results. Perhaps measure inches as well as weigh. :)
  • rawhidenadz
    rawhidenadz Posts: 254 Member
    You just started lifting weights? You may be replacing fat with muscle which would explain the scale not moving. I agree that you should wait it out a little longer! That seems like a healthy calorie intake and a healthy exercise routine and you will see results. Perhaps measure inches as well as weigh. :)

    No. That's not a thing.
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