too confused, so here's my plan...

caramammal · April 2012

i'm going a little crazy reading such contradictory advise..eat more, eat less, zig zag, more protein, more carbs..oh blimey!

i'm 5'4", weigh 130lbs (having just gained 10lbs over winter) and would like to be 115lbs, which is in the normal range for my height - and will see me through the summer bikini season

I have a desk job and work from home, so on a base level am very sedentary..i mean, i dont even get out of a car to walk to an office..i literally walk across a room to begin work!

At lunchtime I hit the gym and burn around 300-350 cals from running 5k and some strength training.

My BMR is 1245, and to maintain my weight, (not including the exercise) it's 1500 calories. This is going to be a long and slow process of about 0.5lb per week with not much room for error!

So, here's my plan. I'm going to eat 1250-1300 calories per day, net (eating back any calories burned from exercise). So in reality i'll be eating around 1500-1600. This 'should' mean I will lose half a pound per week. (wish it was faster, but oh well).

I can't see how eating more than that will increase fat loss, which is why i'm so confused when some people advocate eating more to lose.

Anyway...is there anyone on a similar plan to me? Or would like to offer advise from experience (similar height/weight/lifestyle)?

Carnivorekat · April 2012

good luck to you - it looks like you are being sensible in eating your exercise calories - calories to eat is based on how much you weigh - for me that low calories would mean I was starving myself but then I have 100+lbs to lose but you only have a smaller amount to lose I am sure your calculations are right - Hope you achieve your goal

chrishgt4 · April 2012

I think the eating more to lose comes in slightly different circumstances, such as when the individual is eating below their BMR.

Looks to me like you are being sensible about it

Angiesolomon · April 2012

I wouldn't worry too much about zig zagging, protein, carbs etc unless you hit a plateau and need to work out a way round it. Just think about calories for now and the other plans might help you later!

Smuterella · April 2012

Hey - we are in almost the same situation, I am 5'5'', 130, BMR 1290 and TDEE 1550. I'm planning on eating around 1300-1400 net per day. I tried eating more for three weeks and maintained but didn't lose so went back down again.

Fancy buddying up to see how we get on?

Martucha123 · April 2012

looks like a good plan to me
eating more applys to people who eat 1200 or less and don't eat their exercise cals back.
you are short, so you have lower calorie intake

acresfield · April 2012

I think that I have arrived at a similar place to you after about 2 months on MFP. I have set my calorie deficit to lose 1/2 lb per week and have a similar amount to lose as you. Just at a higher calorie level.

I have just upped my calories and have started eating back my exercise deficit and so am quite interested to see how it goes. Lost 3lb in 2 months, but 2 1/2 inches from around my waist.

Exciting times!!

caramammal · April 2012

thanks everyone, it's nice to know i'm on the right track..i'm just pretty impatient (aren't we all)!

Lisa - i sent you a friend request

Smuterella · April 2012

Great stuff. :-)

Taffyali · April 2012

Hi, I too don't have much of a margin for error

BMR: 1314
Maintenance: 1578

I have been averaging 1350 cals per day for 7 weeks and have lost the predicted 0.5lb per week which is great. In fact last week I lost 2.25lbs but this was preceded by a 0lb loss the previous week.

This week, due to family visiting and a couple of meals out I have averaged 1550 per day and scales are showing a 1lb increase ... official WI day is tomorrow so fingers crossed for a Stay The Same ;-)

Shall we keep in touch via this thread? I'd love to hear what others are doing ...

caramammal · April 2012

Hi, I too don't have much of a margin for error

BMR: 1314
Maintenance: 1578

I have been averaging 1350 cals per day for 7 weeks and have lost the predicted 0.5lb per week which is great. In fact last week I lost 2.25lbs but this was preceded by a 0lb loss the previous week.

This week, due to family visiting and a couple of meals out I have averaged 1550 per day and scales are showing a 1lb increase ... official WI day is tomorrow so fingers crossed for a Stay The Same ;-)

Shall we keep in touch via this thread? I'd love to hear what others are doing ...

caramammal · April 2012

Hi, I too don't have much of a margin for error

BMR: 1314
Maintenance: 1578

I have been averaging 1350 cals per day for 7 weeks and have lost the predicted 0.5lb per week which is great. In fact last week I lost 2.25lbs but this was preceded by a 0lb loss the previous week.

This week, due to family visiting and a couple of meals out I have averaged 1550 per day and scales are showing a 1lb increase ... official WI day is tomorrow so fingers crossed for a Stay The Same ;-)

Shall we keep in touch via this thread? I'd love to hear what others are doing ...

Yeah, or 'friend' me

I

Taffyali · April 2012

Hi, I too don't have much of a margin for error

BMR: 1314
Maintenance: 1578

I have been averaging 1350 cals per day for 7 weeks and have lost the predicted 0.5lb per week which is great. In fact last week I lost 2.25lbs but this was preceded by a 0lb loss the previous week.

This week, due to family visiting and a couple of meals out I have averaged 1550 per day and scales are showing a 1lb increase ... official WI day is tomorrow so fingers crossed for a Stay The Same ;-)

Shall we keep in touch via this thread? I'd love to hear what others are doing ...

Well what a lovely surprise! Weighed this morning and have lost another 0.5lb :-) It's lovely to know I can eat a bit more and still lose weight!

JennetteMac · April 2012

Hi, I too don't have much of a margin for error

BMR: 1314
Maintenance: 1578

I have been averaging 1350 cals per day for 7 weeks and have lost the predicted 0.5lb per week which is great. In fact last week I lost 2.25lbs but this was preceded by a 0lb loss the previous week.

This week, due to family visiting and a couple of meals out I have averaged 1550 per day and scales are showing a 1lb increase ... official WI day is tomorrow so fingers crossed for a Stay The Same ;-)

I am another like you in many ways. Just (almost 2 weeks ago) upped my calories to 1350 having been on 1200 for almost a year. The last 5lb are being really stubborn so driven to searching forums and trying this. Finding it hard to eat so much, but I'm concentrating on getting calories through protein and dropping carbs.
Not recording any change so far, 2nd weigh in tomorrow.
Would love to have a friend or 2 in the same boat.

BTW I'm almost 50, am 5ft 6in and currently weigh 110.2.

Shall we keep in touch via this thread? I'd love to hear what others are doing ...

Well what a lovely surprise! Weighed this morning and have lost another 0.5lb :-) It's lovely to know I can eat a bit more and still lose weight!

JennetteMac · April 2012

Hi, I too don't have much of a margin for error

BMR: 1314
Maintenance: 1578

I have been averaging 1350 cals per day for 7 weeks and have lost the predicted 0.5lb per week which is great. In fact last week I lost 2.25lbs but this was preceded by a 0lb loss the previous week.

This week, due to family visiting and a couple of meals out I have averaged 1550 per day and scales are showing a 1lb increase ... official WI day is tomorrow so fingers crossed for a Stay The Same ;-)

Shall we keep in touch via this thread? I'd love to hear what others are doing ...

Well what a lovely surprise! Weighed this morning and have lost another 0.5lb :-) It's lovely to know I can eat a bit more and still lose weight!

coconutbuNZ · April 2012

Yes I agree it can be confusing. There is some good advice in here though. I just take what is useful to me and leave all the rest. Sounds like you're doing the right thing, it's like an experiment in testing out your plan to see if it works.

too confused, so here's my plan...

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