CRON

I started this approach between 2-3 weeks ago, but have sticking to it more for about 2 weeks. I am 55, female, and 5'1.5". I weigh 120 lbs. Previously, I had been at 1200 calories, eating back exercise calories and was at a real plateau (2 months with no weight loss at all). I am moderately active -- doing strength training 2-3 times a week, walking 1 1/2 miles every day, and usually doing 1-2 heavier workouts like kickboxing or zumba during the week. I am beginning to believe 1200 is my maintenance, and my concern is that as I get older, if I eat any more than that, I will gain. And let's face it, I won't be able to keep up the same level of workouts as I age.

I began looking into CRON as a way to maintain my weight with optimal nutrition , and hopefully gain some health and anti-agingbenefits. When I did the calculator, it calculated that I needed to net around 1040 a day to be in CR for my size, age, and activity level. Since this isn't that much lower than 1200, I decided to try it. I've also been using the cronometer to make sure I'm getting all my micros. The cronometer also subtracts exercise calories from your intake, so it's the equivalent of "eating back." So far, I have been sticking to the program, although I must admit, while I thought 160 calories less wouldn't be such a big deal, I am much more noticeably hungry. I have to make sure everything I eat is nutrient dense, I can't waste my calories on crap or I could really get screwed up. Feel free to look at my diary which is public, I think.

I followed another thread that you were active on, and I think you work out a lot more than I do and more intensely, so I would probably be sure to "eat back" exercise calories. CRON is not intended to support high activity levels but to bring your metabolism down, something you might not want because you are younger and more active.

By the way, I still haven't lost an ounce, so it's not a quick weight loss method, but maybe that's because I'm already older and my body is ready for this way of eating.

I didn't read that you weren't supposed to have dairy and milk. In fact, one of the risks of CRON is loss of bone density. I already have osteopenia, so I am not giving up my dairy. In fact, I have been using the cronometer -- www.cronometer.com -- to track my calcium so that I know whether I should eat some dairy for my PM snack or take a supplement.

I would warn you about adapting "full CRON" that is eating less than 30% of your TDEE at your high activity level. It looks like you burn 500+ calories a day which would result in some very low nets. You may not feel it now, but you might later. For some people, there is also danger of developing and ED because they have a desire to get below 18 BMI, although this has been seen more, ironically, in men than in women. For some reason, CRON really appeals to math/scientist type males who love to count and track everything, and many of them are excessively thin, 5'10" guys who weigh 130 lbs. for instance. I could see how some normal weight guy eating 1700 calories a day could get thin very fast.

In my own case, I'm not losing, and in fact haven't been at 18 BMI (around 104 lbs.) since high school. I have no desire to be that thin because I was actually quite weak at that weight. If I could get to 110 that would be great, but still not bloody likely considering my stocky body type. If I could build more lean muscle mass, that would be great, though.

I'm 10 years older than you and while it would be great to get down to around 110, but I don't want the "thin/waif" look because at my age thin/waif can mean that gaunt look and ropy neck. If I can recomp my body to look more muscular, I'll be happy.

Right now am still struggling with plateau that I'm rather miserable about and even thinking about eating a bit more on the advice of some. I'm getting lightheaded after heavier cardio workouts.

I can't live without yogurt, cottage cheese, or laughing cow -- which is a great snack on an apple, by the way. Just had an ounce and a half of cheddar cheese from a NH dairy for lunch with some whole wheat crackers -- awesome!