Should I up my calories?

msthang444
msthang444 Posts: 491 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So... Been trackin for a couple months...just not losin like I want. Thinkin bout uppin calories to try something different. Lemme know whatcha think.

I'm 37. 5'2. Ima teacher. Doin half marathon training schedule, runnin 4 days a week. 4 5 4 miles average on the weekdays and 6-12 on Saturday. Following 1200 calorie diet and not sure how much of exercise calories to consume.

Replies

  • sargessexyone
    sargessexyone Posts: 494 Member
    I don't understand how you're surviving on 1200 calories, especially with all that running. Do you input your exercise calories? most people eat back 50-75% of their exercise calories unless they are using the TDEE method.
  • msthang444
    msthang444 Posts: 491 Member
    Yes, input exercise calories. Between 400-600 weekday runs. Usually eat back.... Maybe Half of it?
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    Training for a marathon on 1200 calories?? :huh:

    Yes, absolutely you need to eat more.
  • sargessexyone
    sargessexyone Posts: 494 Member
    The next thing people will ask is if your weigh your food. Then they will tell you most likely you are underestimating your calorie intake. Next troubleshooting tip is where do you get your calorie burn info. Is it from an HRM? If you use MFPs exercise database it is notoriously on the high side. Meaning you aren't burning as much as you thought.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    You only have 20 lb. to go. Set your goal to .5 lb. per week (which is more than 1,200 calories), and be patient.

    Open your diary for personalized advice. Log everything you eat accurately & honestly. Weigh your food. Eat back half your exercise calories.

    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • msthang444
    msthang444 Posts: 491 Member
    Yes I either use calorie on my mio or treadmill. As far as weighing, about 50% of the time.
  • sargessexyone
    sargessexyone Posts: 494 Member
    Training for a marathon on 1200 calories?? :huh:

    Yes, absolutely you need to eat more.

    And yes, I would have to agree with this.
  • msthang444
    msthang444 Posts: 491 Member
    Beautifully organized post Ty for the link :)
  • msthang444
    msthang444 Posts: 491 Member
    Half marathon. I got firmly corrected previously for not clarifying :)
  • Cookie_4
    Cookie_4 Posts: 152 Member
    From my personal experience, 1200 calories did NOT work for me. I was cranky most of the time, didn't see much weight loss and couldn't keep up with eating so little, so I quit. You've been so active and I don't see that you eat much of the exercise calories back (you should net AT LEAST 1200 a day).

    If you're nervous about it, just up your calorie limit slowly, say to 1300/day and eat back 75% of exercise calories for a week and see how you feel. I changed mine a few times and found my "sweet spot" to be at 1440 which prevents me from quitting, allows me to be happier while still losing weight. This limit lowers my amount of binging, too (which is a different issue).

    Short of it: I would suggest upping it! You got this, you gorgeous thing you :glasses:
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    Well...

    First of all you need to determine the proper calorie level that you need to fuel your workouts and your daily activities. Then you need to ensure that you're logging everything accurately, which means you will need to start using a food scale.

    Beyond that, I can't reasonably give advice until those two things are done and being followed.
  • st_scrivener
    st_scrivener Posts: 26
    Weight loss aside, how are you performing adequately? I'm currently training for a marathon and eat a MINIMUM of 1500 a day... on long runs I'll eat as much as 3000! And I'm still losing. I can't imagine how you function well as a runner when you eat so little. Food is fuel, remember that. If you up your caloric intake, you'll probably find your performance improve greatly.
  • msthang444
    msthang444 Posts: 491 Member
    From my personal experience, 1200 calories did NOT work for me. I was cranky most of the time, didn't see much weight loss and couldn't keep up with eating so little, so I quit. You've been so active and I don't see that you eat much of the exercise calories back (you should net AT LEAST 1200 a day).

    If you're nervous about it, just up your calorie limit slowly, say to 1300/day and eat back 75% of exercise calories for a week and see how you feel. I changed mine a few times and found my "sweet spot" to be at 1440 which prevents me from quitting, allows me to be happier while still losing weight. This limit lowers my amount of binging, too (which is a different issue).

    Short of it: I would suggest upping it! You got this, you gorgeous thing you :glasses:
    Reason #45 i love u bestie :)
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    So... Been trackin for a couple months...just not losin like I want.
    Please define for us "just not losin like I want."

    A pound or two lost a week would be an extremely successful rate. And the rate will probably become slower as you approach your goal. Take it slow and you will get there. This is the kind of thing that teaches us all patience.
  • msthang444
    msthang444 Posts: 491 Member
    So... Been trackin for a couple months...just not losin like I want.
    Please define for us "just not losin like I want."

    A pound or two lost a week would be an extremely successful rate. And the rate will probably become slower as you approach your goal. Take it slow and you will get there. This is the kind of thing that teaches us all patience.

    I am losing fewer than 1 lb per week.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    I am losing fewer than 1 lb per week.
    The closer you are to goal, the more slowly you lose. That's just the way the human body works. Your expectations are unreasonable—you're doing great!

    You only have 20 lb. to go. Set your goal to .5 lb. per week (which is more than 1,200 calories), and be patient.

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