Up calories or stay the same

Katie_Y89
Katie_Y89 Posts: 330 Member
in Food and Nutrition
about 2 weeks ago I upped my workouts (now doing 2 workout dvds a day, 50 min) plus I get about 7,000-10,000 steps a day and try to stay within my 1300 calorie range.

I've been told that 1300 is too low and should be upped to about 1400.
would that be a good move?? I have been wanting to snack more before dinner and at night.
But too afraid to up in case it causes more gain :/

Replies

  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Google your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure)....this is maintenance. If you eat above maintenance.....you gain weight.

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    1200 is the default minimum BEFORE exercise. That's typically for elderly, very sedentary, or very petite women. Considering you are only 100 calories above that.....yes you should be eating more. As we lose weight we lose fat+existing lean muscle mass. To keep muscle loss at a minimum.....moderate deficit, adequate protein & strength training.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    100 calories would not cause you to gain unless 1300 is maintenance for you. Are you eating you exercise calories back?
  • extra_medium
    extra_medium Posts: 1,525 Member
    Without more info it's hard to say.

    The main thing is, how do you feel now at your current level? If you find yourself lagging or lacking energy, maybe try upping it. But if you feel good now, there's no reason to.

    You mentioned feeling the urge to snack, so if you feel you need the extra calories try it for a week or two and see what happens.

    Whether or not it will cause you to gain weight depends if you are burning more than 1400 per day and how accurate you are with your logging. It sounds like you're going to be fine at 1400 but without trying it out it's impossible to say.



  • lundy2626
    lundy2626 Posts: 16 Member
    It's your body, so it is your experiment! You have to treat your body like a science experiment. If you really want to know consume 1400 calories everyday for a week and see if you gain or lose weight.
  • DanSanthomes
    DanSanthomes Posts: 135 Member
    I hit goal weight 2 weeks ago after a 500 cal daily deficit for a couple of months.

    I'm now doing a DareBee strength training program so decided to up it by 200 cals a day. (Like you though, I was worried I'd undo my good work).

    However, even though I've cut down on cardio and went OVER the 200 extra on quite a few days, I've lost another pound this week - but can tell i'm toning.

    Just up it by 100 for a week or two and see how it goes. You might be surprised.

    Good luck.

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