From 1400 to 1800 Calories!? Really?? Uneasy...

JennieAL
JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
edited October 6 in Food and Nutrition
Apparently I'm supposed to be eating around 1800 cals a day, instead of 1400, since upping my workouts to include more weight/strength training. I'm really nervous about doing this! If I'm doing kettlebell workouts (very intense for 20 min every other day or so) and Jillian's 30 DS every other day, should I just go from 1400 to 1800 overnight?? I feel really nervous about eating that much, but I've been really hungry lately... so I'm thinking it might be ok. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Replies

  • spammyanna
    spammyanna Posts: 871 Member
    Eat. It will be fine. 400 calories isn't really that much of a jump.
  • JT1090
    JT1090 Posts: 79 Member
    If you're hungry, you gotta eat girly:smile: Your body is telling you that you need fuel. 1,800 is a healthy intake for how much you exersice.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    Yup. Eat it.
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    If it makes you feel better, you can always increase gradually. So go from 1400 to 1600 and from 1600 to 1800.
  • Eleanorjanethinner
    Eleanorjanethinner Posts: 563 Member
    Yup, really.

    But eat healthy, don't just stuff fast food in your gob. Lean protein, complex carbs, fruit, veges, nuts etc... enjoy! (especially the protein - good for if you've been exercising)
  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    My goal for losing 1/2 lb per week is 1420, but when I workout I normally earn 400-600 exercise calories so I usually end up eating around 1800-2000. Works great for me. I actually lost 1.2 lbs this week unexpectedly after taking a night off on Saturday and eating significantly more than 2000. LOL If you are confident in the accuracy of your calorie burn, stick close to what MFP says and enjoy those extra calories.
  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    Yup, really.

    But eat healthy, don't just stuff fast food in your gob. Lean protein, complex carbs, fruit, veges, nuts etc... enjoy! (especially the protein - good for if you've been exercising)

    Yeah, I've been eating a lot of protein. I've adjusted my macros to around 50% protein, 25% carb, 25% fat and I think this is good for the muscle building I'll be doing now.
  • winningthin
    winningthin Posts: 31 Member
    Do eat the 1800 calories. I personally consume that amount of calories as a maximum limit daily and I exercise less than you do (I am in maintenance mode, however). The good news is that I've maintained my 43lb weight loss for almost two years. You'll be fine and it's important for you to give your body the fuel it needs, especially when considering the amount of exercise you're doing. The hunger pains are a tell tell sign :).
  • cclark1203
    cclark1203 Posts: 244 Member
    You definitely need more cals.
  • 51change
    51change Posts: 2 Member
    If you can eat 1400 calories a day and feel fine, why not? I'm envious.
  • superdrood
    superdrood Posts: 129 Member
    Do it. I've upped mine from 1400 plus exercise to 2600-2800 calories for strength training about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I too was trepidatious but the scale hasn't moved (yet, although I'm sure it will soon) and there is a definite improvement in physique. Plus I'm much happier eating more :drinker:

    400 calories is completely reasonable. But I agree with others, make those calories come from good food chalk full of protein. Your worked out Body will need it :)
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    You could increase by 200 but honestly, I don't think it's that much. Really it comes down to a couple snacks: 100 cal string cheese + 60 cal apple, 190 cal 2 tbsp peanut butter + 100 cal banana = 450. Ta-da!
  • amysj303
    amysj303 Posts: 5,086 Member
    I know, it's hard for me too, but I am beginning to realize that the lean strong girls are eating close to 2000 cals on strength training days. And it looks like you don't have much to lose as it is. Take the advice of others before me and really focus on lean proteins, complex carbs and plenty of veggies.
    I just saw this on another thread and it's got a lot of great advice with a real-world example:
    http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    You could increase by 200 but honestly, I don't think it's that much. Really it comes down to a couple snacks: 100 cal string cheese + 60 cal apple, 190 cal 2 tbsp peanut butter + 100 cal banana = 450. Ta-da!

    That puts it into perspective! Thanks.
  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    I know, it's hard for me too, but I am beginning to realize that the lean strong girls are eating close to 2000 cals on strength training days. And it looks like you don't have much to lose as it is. Take the advice of others before me and really focus on lean proteins, complex carbs and plenty of veggies.
    I just saw this on another thread and it's got a lot of great advice with a real-world example:
    http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    Great article, thanks :-)
  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    Do eat the 1800 calories. I personally consume that amount of calories as a maximum limit daily and I exercise less than you do (I am in maintenance mode, however). The good news is that I've maintained my 43lb weight loss for almost two years. You'll be fine and it's important for you to give your body the fuel it needs, especially when considering the amount of exercise you're doing. The hunger pains are a tell tell sign :).

    Ok, really good to know! And congrats on your weight loss and maintenance.
  • BobbyClerici
    BobbyClerici Posts: 813 Member
    It was a hard leap for me as well, but after my first initial 30 lbs, I stalled, then did what any disciplined and determined person would. I starved myself. And that worked too for a season, but I was losing lean body mass too much.

    Long short? I increased calories to almost 3000 to account for my activity level, exercises and other variables, and I thought NO WAY! I was eating less than half that....:noway:

    Out of the 65 lb total weight loss, half of that resulted from a higher calorie diet but slightly restricted with enough of a deficit to reflect a 1lb weekly weight loss.

    It worked!

    And today I have a mere 12 lbs to go, eating around 3000 daily [except on rest days], losing 1 lb each week like clockwork.
    If your input is right, all will be well.

    Good Luck!
  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    It was a hard leap for me as well, but after my first initial 30 lbs, I stalled, then did what any disciplined and determined person would. I starved myself. And that worked too for a season, but I was losing lean body mass too much.

    Long short? I increased calories to almost 3000 to account for my activity level, exercises and other variables, and I thought NO WAY! I was eating less than half that....:noway:

    Out of the 65 lb total weight loss, half of that resulted from a higher calorie diet but slightly restricted with enough of a deficit to reflect a 1lb weekly weight loss.

    It worked!

    And today I have a mere 12 lbs to go, eating around 3000 daily [except on rest days], losing 1 lb each week like clockwork.
    If your input is right, all will be well.

    Good Luck!

    That's the thing... I'm not sure my input is right yet! Something isn't adding up when I customize my goal page. I understand "net" calories, but it doesn't seem to be factoring in my 2200 weekly calorie burn from exercise... I've set my net cals at 1400 but I guess I'll just have to add in the other 400 and keep up with that on the side?? If I put in 1800 net, it says I'm going to gain weight... this is confusing.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    I know, it's hard for me too, but I am beginning to realize that the lean strong girls are eating close to 2000 cals on strength training days. And it looks like you don't have much to lose as it is. Take the advice of others before me and really focus on lean proteins, complex carbs and plenty of veggies.
    I just saw this on another thread and it's got a lot of great advice with a real-world example:
    http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    Great link that one.

    And I would say plenty of ladies eating a lot more than that that look GREAT. I've been put to shame but one of my female friends on here for carb intake. I've seen her take in 500g carbs in a day. Obviously you don't do this everyday though :tongue:

    To the OP: you haven't actually given us your stats so any comments on cal intake can't really be given with much accuracy.
  • BobbyClerici
    BobbyClerici Posts: 813 Member
    It was a hard leap for me as well, but after my first initial 30 lbs, I stalled, then did what any disciplined and determined person would. I starved myself. And that worked too for a season, but I was losing lean body mass too much.

    Long short? I increased calories to almost 3000 to account for my activity level, exercises and other variables, and I thought NO WAY! I was eating less than half that....:noway:

    Out of the 65 lb total weight loss, half of that resulted from a higher calorie diet but slightly restricted with enough of a deficit to reflect a 1lb weekly weight loss.

    It worked!

    And today I have a mere 12 lbs to go, eating around 3000 daily [except on rest days], losing 1 lb each week like clockwork.
    If your input is right, all will be well.

    Good Luck!

    That's the thing... I'm not sure my input is right yet! Something isn't adding up when I customize my goal page. I understand "net" calories, but it doesn't seem to be factoring in my 2200 weekly calorie burn from exercise... I've set my net cals at 1400 but I guess I'll just have to add in the other 400 and keep up with that on the side?? If I put in 1800 net, it says I'm going to gain weight... this is confusing.
    I am not quite following here.
    Just set your goals based on weekly weight loss [1lb] and your activity level.
    When you track cardio exercise, MFP automatically adds these to your daily goal, taking into consideration your daily deficit to reach your goals.

    That's it.
  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    It was a hard leap for me as well, but after my first initial 30 lbs, I stalled, then did what any disciplined and determined person would. I starved myself. And that worked too for a season, but I was losing lean body mass too much.

    Long short? I increased calories to almost 3000 to account for my activity level, exercises and other variables, and I thought NO WAY! I was eating less than half that....:noway:

    Out of the 65 lb total weight loss, half of that resulted from a higher calorie diet but slightly restricted with enough of a deficit to reflect a 1lb weekly weight loss.

    It worked!

    And today I have a mere 12 lbs to go, eating around 3000 daily [except on rest days], losing 1 lb each week like clockwork.
    If your input is right, all will be well.

    Good Luck!

    That's the thing... I'm not sure my input is right yet! Something isn't adding up when I customize my goal page. I understand "net" calories, but it doesn't seem to be factoring in my 2200 weekly calorie burn from exercise... I've set my net cals at 1400 but I guess I'll just have to add in the other 400 and keep up with that on the side?? If I put in 1800 net, it says I'm going to gain weight... this is confusing.
    I am not quite following here.
    Just set your goals based on weekly weight loss [1lb] and your activity level.
    When you track cardio exercise, MFP automatically adds these to your daily goal, taking into consideration your daily deficit to reach your goals.

    That's it.

    Yeah, I figured this out right after I posted :) I must have been over-thinking it all. Anyway, I'm getting the suggested 1800 calories from scoobysworkshop.com after I selected the "lose fat, build muscle" category to calculate my numbers. I had originally selected the "lose fat" category with a 20% calorie reduction, and it put me at 1400, which I've been following for a few weeks now.

    My stats:

    *5'7"
    *128 lbs (last time I weighed was over a week ago, the battery died on my digital scale)
    *burning around 250 to 400 calories per day (combo of 30 min brisk walk with either a 20 min kettlebell workout or JM's 30DS 20 min workout)
    *I take either 1 or 2 days off as rest days per week
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    I would estimate your maintenance is around 1800-2050ish. So pick your initial cal intake based on that.

    If you want to lose some fat, a little less than this (as you are in healthy weight range for you height the deficit should be small) 250cals max IMO.

    If you want to attempt to recomp, (which can take a long time) then eat around maintenance.

    If you want to build some muscle, then eat about 10-15% more than maintenance. A portion of weight gained will be fat. That's just how it is.

    Remember, it's a LOT easier to lose fat than it is to gain muscle especially for women.

    Those numbers are starting points. Check and assess every couple of weeks to see if you're heading in the right direction :smile:
  • afigueroa_pr
    afigueroa_pr Posts: 344
    I remember when my diet went from 1200 calories a day to 2010 a day since I am not losing any more weight. It was hard at first to have an 800 calorie jump but I now I am slowly gaining more appetite toward that new calorie goal. I admit it is not easy, but it is for your own good.
  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    I would estimate your maintenance is around 1800-2050ish. So pick your initial cal intake based on that.

    If you want to lose some fat, a little less than this (as you are in healthy weight range for you height the deficit should be small) 250cals max IMO.

    If you want to attempt to recomp, (which can take a long time) then eat around maintenance.

    If you want to build some muscle, then eat about 10-15% more than maintenance. A portion of weight gained will be fat. That's just how it is.

    Remember, it's a LOT easier to lose fat than it is to gain muscle especially for women.

    Those numbers are starting points. Check and assess every couple of weeks to see if you're heading in the right direction :smile:
  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    I would estimate your maintenance is around 1800-2050ish. So pick your initial cal intake based on that.

    If you want to lose some fat, a little less than this (as you are in healthy weight range for you height the deficit should be small) 250cals max IMO.

    If you want to attempt to recomp, (which can take a long time) then eat around maintenance.

    If you want to build some muscle, then eat about 10-15% more than maintenance. A portion of weight gained will be fat. That's just how it is.

    Remember, it's a LOT easier to lose fat than it is to gain muscle especially for women.

    Those numbers are starting points. Check and assess every couple of weeks to see if you're heading in the right direction :smile:

    Thanks! I'll probably do around 1800 for a week and see what happens. I blew my diet a little (so I thought) for the past couple days and the scales haven't even budged... so, looks like my body is clinging to maintain it's weight no matter where I'm at. I must be in the ideal zone already. I just want to lose more fat and add some muscle... guess this is going to take a while. Kettlebells seem to do it the best though. I"m sticking with that.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    It was a hard leap for me as well, but after my first initial 30 lbs, I stalled, then did what any disciplined and determined person would. I starved myself. And that worked too for a season, but I was losing lean body mass too much.

    Long short? I increased calories to almost 3000 to account for my activity level, exercises and other variables, and I thought NO WAY! I was eating less than half that....:noway:

    Out of the 65 lb total weight loss, half of that resulted from a higher calorie diet but slightly restricted with enough of a deficit to reflect a 1lb weekly weight loss.

    It worked!

    And today I have a mere 12 lbs to go, eating around 3000 daily [except on rest days], losing 1 lb each week like clockwork.
    If your input is right, all will be well.

    Good Luck!

    That's the thing... I'm not sure my input is right yet! Something isn't adding up when I customize my goal page. I understand "net" calories, but it doesn't seem to be factoring in my 2200 weekly calorie burn from exercise... I've set my net cals at 1400 but I guess I'll just have to add in the other 400 and keep up with that on the side?? If I put in 1800 net, it says I'm going to gain weight... this is confusing.
    I am not quite following here.
    Just set your goals based on weekly weight loss [1lb] and your activity level.
    When you track cardio exercise, MFP automatically adds these to your daily goal, taking into consideration your daily deficit to reach your goals.

    That's it.

    MFP does not take into account your exercise goal when giving you your daily intake. This intake is if you do no exercise. Once you add exercise to the exercise tab is when exercise is considered, and you should be eating those back to ensure you are fueling your body properly.
  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    Thanks, yeah I just got confused. I figured it out right after though. Felt silly about that :) I was more confused that I was being told to eat 1800 calories on one website, but here on MFP, to lose .5 lb a week I was supposed to only eat 1400 or so... that was confusing me the most.
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