Eat More???

Charismasme2
Charismasme2 Posts: 118 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Ok, so here it goes again...I've read so many posts on here about this very thing, but I'm gonna ask again, and would love to have some help.

I'm 49yrs old, cw 205, 5'4"....I just went to fat2fit, and did all of their "testing"...I used all three BMR calculators..theirs said 27.1, Military 43.2, and covert bailey 29.8...not sure which one I should use...but says for lightly active (which I am at the moment, starting c25k) I should be eating 1865 calories. When I started on here in April, I started at 1200, then upped them to 1600 after talking to someone...I'm not seeing the scale moving again. My question is, should I up them again? I'm worried about gaining since I'm not working out 5 days a week. My BMI is 35.2, my TDEE is 2216.

Only helpful criticism please...

Replies

  • blairh10
    blairh10 Posts: 37
    Ok, so here it goes again...I've read so many posts on here about this very thing, but I'm gonna ask again, and would love to have some help.

    I'm 49yrs old, cw 205, 5'4"....I just went to fat2fit, and did all of their "testing"...I used all three BMR calculators..theirs said 27.1, Military 43.2, and covert bailey 29.8...not sure which one I should use...but says for lightly active (which I am at the moment, starting c25k) I should be eating 1865 calories. When I started on here in April, I started at 1200, then upped them to 1600 after talking to someone...I'm not seeing the scale moving again. My question is, should I up them again? I'm worried about gaining since I'm not working out 5 days a week. My BMI is 35.2, my TDEE is 2216.

    Only helpful criticism please...

    I am just as confused.
  • theartichoke
    theartichoke Posts: 816 Member
    Hey pretty lady! 1600 should be great for you as long as you're netting 1600 consistently. Have you taken measurements? Are your clothes fitting better? How long ago did you up to 1600? Maybe there hasn't been enough time for your body to adjust and let go? Sorry for the 20 questions but I know you eat healthy, whole foods and it seems that at 1600 you should be seeing some sort of progress. Hoping if we know more we can get it sorted out! *hugs*
  • Charismasme2
    Charismasme2 Posts: 118 Member
    I'm not eating back my exercise cals. so rarely net 1600, usually less. Even the measure tape is stalling out. I see that my stomach is getting smaller, waist is the biggest place I'm still seeing a loss. 1.5 in the waist this last week and a half. I started eating 1600 the end of April, so that should have been enough time for my body to adjust. I do need to move more.
  • PinkEarthMama
    PinkEarthMama Posts: 987 Member
    If you are not NETTING 1600, perhaps you could try eating back those exercise calories.
  • TrainingWithTonya
    TrainingWithTonya Posts: 1,741 Member
    First of all, I don't use that calculator, so I don't know which formulas it is using or how it is coming up with your TDEE. But if it is giving you a TDEE that is supposedly the same everyday, then it is wrong! TDEE changes every day based on your exercise for that day. However, assuming that the TDEE you listed is correct for today, then you should consume no less then 1773 Calories if your goal is fat loss.

    I tell my clients who are using MFP to find their RMR (EER), which is your BMR + normal daily activity and put that in as your "goal" calories for MFP. Then when you add your exercise calories, you will get a new "goal" number, which is your TDEE. EAT NO LESS THEN 80% OF TDEE! If you want to see how I figure the numbers needed, you can check out my blog ( http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/TrainingWithTonya ) where I have put up the formulas for BMR, RMR (EER), and TDEE. Also, if you scroll down to May of last year on my blog, you will find a post on body fat % which is what I think you were figuring and calling BMR.
    16 years Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor
    9 years Certified Sports Nutritionist
    Bachelors in Exercise Physiology with a Minor in Nutritional Science
    ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist
    NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
  • thekarens
    thekarens Posts: 254 Member
    I really can't answer what will work for you, but I can say what has consistently worked for me. MFP says I should be netting 1250 so that's what I do. I'm 5'3 and started out at 200. I've lost 34lbs so far and am still losing. I'm sedentary because my job is sedentary and I go to the gym 4 or 5 days a week.
  • tangiesharp
    tangiesharp Posts: 315 Member
    If your BMR is 1865, then you should eat above that every day, not 1600. Remember your BMR is the minimum amount of calories your body needs to maintain basic bodily functions. If you are not in a coma, you burn more calories than your BMR once you get out of bed.

    If you're looking to lose weight you should eat 15% less than your TDEE. But I would say, that if you're doing C25k, that your activity level is moderate (3-5 hours of activity/week) not light. So, you might want to rerun your numbers.

    There's a group on MFP called Eat More to Weigh Less (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/3834-eat-more-to-weigh-less) with a lot of people who are eating at a deficit to TDEE. Please join and you'll find lots of support there.

    Hope that helps.
  • EDesq
    EDesq Posts: 1,527 Member
    Ok, so here it goes again...I've read so many posts on here about this very thing, but I'm gonna ask again, and would love to have some help.

    I'm 49yrs old, cw 205, 5'4"....I just went to fat2fit, and did all of their "testing"...I used all three BMR calculators..theirs said 27.1, Military 43.2, and covert bailey 29.8...not sure which one I should use...but says for lightly active (which I am at the moment, starting c25k) I should be eating 1865 calories. When I started on here in April, I started at 1200, then upped them to 1600 after talking to someone...I'm not seeing the scale moving again. My question is, should I up them again? I'm worried about gaining since I'm not working out 5 days a week. My BMI is 35.2, my TDEE is 2216.

    Only helpful criticism please...


    After yo-yoing for Many years, I set Myself to 1500 Calories a day AVG. (sometimes More or Less depending on how I feel). I stayed with it and have lost over 100 lbs in 2 years. It will take at least 2 months for your metabolism to CORRECT itself. And when it does>>>watch out. I am in your age range and losing weight and maintaining is kinda easy, it's a WAY of LIFE, I don't diet, I LIVE It! But you MUST give yourself TIME to Adjust, DO NOT Start an Excessive Exercise Routine, just a Moderate Exercise Routine and Your Daily Activity. Your Body will DO the WORK for you when You STOP Dieting. Do your 1500-1600 Calories AVG, moderate exercise routine, Life Activities, try to make Good/Better food choices, build in Treats, give the scale a break/FOCUS on Eating Right and the scale will take care of itself! Breathe and LIVE LIFE!
  • violet_rage
    violet_rage Posts: 1
    Try the "MyDietDiary" app. After you enter in yer height and weight and lifestyle itll let you know how much calories to stay under to achieve yer goal. When you exercise and burn calories, then the daily allotted calories from food will change.
    So, it doesnt stay a fixed number unless you stay exactly the same without a differences. So far its been a really helpful app.
    Also, you got to remember that everyone is different and not everyone responds the same to what "experts" commonly say is true.
    Following expert advice had me at 398lbs since they didnt understand my metabolism had stalled and increasing my calories would only have me gain weight. Ive lost 60lbs in a month and with no intention of slowing down. Sometimes, in the end you are the only one who truly KNOWS your body.




    -Dietician
    -Personal Trainer (licensed still, though obviously not a current profession)
    -Pharmacist
    -Eating disorder specialist
  • theartichoke
    theartichoke Posts: 816 Member
    Sometimes it can take up to 10 weeks.....10.....to see the change on the scale. Your inches are moving, just not as quickly as you'd like right now. Give it another month before you up your cals again. You may ultimately have to but now is not the time. You're starting a new workout and we really need to give these things 2 months before we reassess. Try netting as close to 1600 as you can. I know it's hard and I struggle with it too. In a month, if you're still not seeing the changes in your body that you want to see then reassess. 1600 is not so few calories that your body will slow down on you but it also won't make you gain while you wait this out. Remember that each time we change things we start the adjustment process again. It's better to give it another month than to up the cals and have to wait another 2 months. Consistency is key here. For my final opinion...you're doing beautifully. Be kind and patient with your body. I see what you do each day and it's wonderful. If your body wants to be the tortoise then so be it. Don't wonder if you're doing this right, KNOW you are. You eat right and you exercise. You give your body what it needs to be the best it can be. That is good enough for today.

    Edit - You got great advice from the people above!!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories