Undereating for years?

Indochic74
Indochic74 Posts: 6 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I'm trying to lose weight and have set up my calorie goals etc (1400 a day). But it feels like it's too much food compared to what I used to eat! This is making me wonder if I've been under-eating all this time? And I thought I was a lazy *kitten* and always assumed myself to be "sedentary". I went and bought an activity tracker (polar loop) and during the work week I'm averaging between 12,000 and 16,000 steps a day (16,000 is when I occasionally go to the gym). Somehow I don't think that qualifies as being sedentary.

The problem is, I've been restricting my calories for about a month now and I'm not making any progress. I'm just kind of grumpy and tired. After work - I'm a zombie. Suggestions on what to do?

Replies

  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    1400 seems like a reasonable place to start if you have been under eating. I know personally I wouldn't want to jump too much in a short period of time.

    Have you calculated your TDEE? You should definitely see what approx. maintenance number you are to determine where you should progress towards.
  • Indochic74
    Indochic74 Posts: 6 Member
    My TDEE is 1984 a day. One other thing I wanted to add is that my BF% was at 40% when I started at 156 lbs, I then went down to 150lbs and 38% and is now back up to 154lbs 38.4%. I realize hormones and hydration level plays a part in everything but highly annoying.

    Now, I do question the BF% on my ARIA Scale, because I'm not flabby at all and look relatively lean although not where I want to be.
  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    So I would do your TDEE minus 15% which is like 1680. That should be what you eat a day.

    Since you are used to eating low calorie amounts, I would start with 1400 for a few weeks, then increase it as you progress.

    I would be worried about gaining weight by eating so much more than I have been...if you don't care about that, then just move it on up to 1680.
  • Indochic74
    Indochic74 Posts: 6 Member
    Okay, I'll stick the 1400 for a while longer. 1680 sounds scary as heck. I'm going to tinker with my calorie intake and see how I feel with the increased calories.

    I just checked out another online calculator that takes body fat % into account and it has my TDEE at 2023. That's with moderate exercise 3-5 days a week. Confusing.
  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    Oh yeah, my TDEE is different depending on the site too!

    You just have to kind of trial and error it!

    I eat 1696 a day! My TDEE is like 2200 (give or take)

    Some days I eat more like 1400, some days 1800 ...

    Take my advice and start looking at your weekly totals. It makes me feel a lot better :)
  • Indochic74
    Indochic74 Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks for the feedback and assistance. Ultimately, everything is very individual. This site is excellent though. Now if only Polar would partner with myfitnesspal.com everything would be aces - even if the bod doesn't do as I command.

Categories