Upping my calories and a little freaked out!

coopersmom2006
coopersmom2006 Posts: 839
in Food and Nutrition
I need hand holding. I'm upping from 1400 (plus exercise calories eaten back) to 1650 (maintenance number on here). I'm at around 110-111 lbs and am interested in working on definition. I workout hard 6 days a week and often feel like I'm just not getting enough food to fuel my workouts at 1400 cals. Please people who have had success with this, give me some positive reinforcement! Thanks.

Replies

  • MandaJean83
    MandaJean83 Posts: 675 Member
    I just started maintenance and I'm freaked out as well......I wish I had some good advice for ya, but honestly I'm in the same boat! :) Congrats on reaching maintenance!
  • kimzie77
    kimzie77 Posts: 5
    everytime I up mine I lose!!!
  • KPainter70
    KPainter70 Posts: 152
    What about it freaks you out? The possibility that you might gain? Chances are good you will at first, but it will be water weight. I say stay off the scales for a week to give yourself time to adjust. Also, breathe. It's a little more food, not the end of the world. ;o)
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    I freaked out when I upped my calories too! Just try it for two weeks weighing yourself once a week and see how it goes. So far it has worked well for me. I haven't gained a lb-only difference is I don't eat exercised calories back-makes no sense to me (not popular around here I know) but I am doing what works for me. You'll find the magic number that works for you!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    First off, put the scale away. Take a whole pile of pictures from every angle in minimal clothing and take measurements. In a few weeks, take more pictures and measurements and track your progress that way.
  • kokaneesailor
    kokaneesailor Posts: 337 Member
    First off, put the scale away. Take a whole pile of pictures from every angle in minimal clothing and take measurements. In a few weeks, take more pictures and measurements and track your progress that way.

    What this lady said
  • Elen_Sia
    Elen_Sia Posts: 638 Member
    I upped my calories twice in the last 8 weeks. Best decision I'd ever made food-wise. I continued to shed pounds despite reaching my target weight last month and changing my goals to maintenance. I LOVE IT.
  • coopersmom2006
    coopersmom2006 Posts: 839
    Thanks all! It's def the gain aspect that freaks me out BUT I am still losing inches with doing the shred 6 times a week plus my cardio. As long as my tape measure is still kind to me then I should be ok I think.
  • isazzzz
    isazzzz Posts: 95
    Do you up your calories on days you don't work out as well?
  • projectconsistency
    projectconsistency Posts: 44
    What about it freaks you out? The possibility that you might gain? Chances are good you will at first, but it will be water weight. I say stay off the scales for a week to give yourself time to adjust. Also, breathe. It's a little more food, not the end of the world. ;o)

    Agreed; you probably will see a gain at first

    My weight loss slowed down a lot (I'm on my way down from 300), so I increased my calorie goal from netting 1400 to eating 2100, regardless of exercise (unless I exercise enough to net below 1700, in which case I eat until I net 1700). All week the scale has been up three or four pounds, and then this morning it disappeared. Sunday: 206. All week: 209-210. Today: 205. I have two more days before my next official weigh-in, so I'm sure I'll see a loss this week. I'm not usually a daily weigher, but I wanted to monitor the results of my little experiment. If you're going to increase your calories, you should be prepared to see a gain for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Give your body time to adjust.

    I know maintaining is a lot different than losing weight at 300 pounds, but for what it's worth I went from 265-215 by eating 2000-2500 calories/day and doing weight training and biking, and I was seeing weekly losses of 2-3 pounds. Before that I was eating 1800 and had plateaued. Good luck!
  • projectconsistency
    projectconsistency Posts: 44
    This guy inspired me to increase my calories: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/538381-in-place-of-a-road-map

    You should be able to eat your TDEE and maintain. :)
  • mheightchew
    mheightchew Posts: 334
    Hope I make it to maintenance!! Congrats!

    I have had to up my calories before and was taught to do it 10% at a time. Add 10% to what you are eating now, two weeks later add 10% more.
    Good luck!
  • coopersmom2006
    coopersmom2006 Posts: 839
    Thanks all!

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