Jennifer_Lynn_1982 Member

Thanks for checking back @heybales and @KickboxDiva :)

Update for the week. I had some great workouts this week and was able to keep my eating on track while logging 100%. I still feel like I have enough fuel to keep strong throughout the workout which is surprising and I am getting some night sweats going on @heybales - I guess this is a good sign. I dropped down to about…

It is incredible how your mind (and body) can adjust as you adjust!!

Word of advice to take your measurements and pictures if you haven't already so that way you have something else to refer to while you increase your calories so that you don't focus solely on your weight. Good luck and keep us updated on this thread of your journey of increasing!

I haven't done any formal cardio in months....until recently. Now I try and get 2-3 x 10-30 min walks (3.5 mph at 8%+ incline) per week. Steady State all the way as HIIT can be too intense to feel rested for my weight training.

yay!! that's awesome...now you have a starting point. Have fun eating at your TDEE!!

what an awesome goal! way to go and thank you for your updates!!

thanks for your input @rastaempress !

Kat, one thing that I thought of is that because you're also starting a new weight training program, you have the advantage of newbie gains, definitely worth increasing the calories to take advantage of that but @KickboxDiva was right about feeling better about lifting when you're actually eating close to TDEE. I have PR's…

I had a few days away from the gym on Thurs/Fri due to being sick, feeling mostly better so I'll go for a workout today. I ate around 1800 calories and weight stayed the same through the weekend but did go up during the week from the original 159.2 - up to 160.0

I was at or above my eat TDEE for 8 weeks. I had not been at a huge deficit beforehand and hadn't restricted my calories severely for years so I felt that 8 weeks was enough for me. If your activity changes, your TDEE will change but maybe you account for the different exercise / activity and add that to your calorie goal…

I'm going to stick with calories between 1800-1900/day (100-200 calorie deficit) for the remainder of this week and then look to do 1750-1800 calories/day (200-250 calorie deficit) which will be a 10% cut. I'll continue lifting heavy throughout. I'll do the cut for 8 weeks and see where I'm at at the end of March. I may…

Update: I had a bit of a rough weekend with my eating (eating above my maintenance) and seemed to have a spike in my weight. I know I didn't eat over 8000 calories over my maintenance calories over those few days so I know it's water retention but it's tough seeing a 3 lbs spike after losing a few lbs. Back to more…

That is so exiting!! I love it when old weights seem easy, can't wait to see your PR's once the strength phase starts for you too!

@KickboxDiva - thank you so much for the info! I will definitely consider this and put some thought into it.

Thanks for your input @KickboxDiva ! so your ETP coach recommended a full 500 calorie deficit on lifting days and even more on rest days? I'm not sure I could drop that much...how are you finding it? I want to reduce the likelihood of losing muscle mass as much as possible so I'm concerned with dropping my calories too…

I love seeing your updates!!

Hi Angela - I'd recommend also taking a look at @heybales profile - he's got a great spreadsheet to determine your TDEE as well which I think is a great tool that many of us has used (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/user/heybales/profile/heybales?target=&redirected=true). I'd guess your TDEE would fall over 2500 calories/day…

I just sent you a friend request but you are on the right track! Read through the stickies on this group, take your measurements and "before" pictures and keep with it. The scales will lie to you so your measurements will tell you more of the truth. Keep with it, there's a lot of great and encouraging people in this group.

seriously awesome @Sumiblue! keep it up!!

^ what @KickboxDiva said....plus ensure that you are taking measurements. I'm 5'4" 33 years old and jumped from 151 to 159 lbs in the last 2 months but my measurements have gone down everywhere so I don't put too much stock in my weight as long as my measurements are getting better. And yes, I still eat bread and peanut…

@Sumiblue ...try not to be tough on yourself and allow yourself to get well and back to eating at maintenance before going adding more weight. Once you're healthy, try playing around with increasing your reps before increasing your weight. You'll get there but you'll feel tons better about it once you're healthy and fueled…

Funny, I started using the "happy scale" app on Monday too @saranharm - hoping that will help me see my fluctuations as less irritating!

Jealous about the squat rack!! I really wish my boyfriend and I could make it work for our place but there's not enough room....unless one of us gets rid of one of our cars, hmm...

* following

I'm following PHUL...what is STS?

@saranharm thank you for all of your updates! I too have been having some higher weigh-ins through December so this is so helpful! Currently eating 1950 cal/day on average with 4 days of lifting per week. Tough to not get frustrated but going to check my measurements on Saturday after a full week back eating normal foods…

That's awesome @Sumiblue ... It's great to not feel restricted, especially over the holidays

Maybe have someone weigh you in on Monday so you know what weight you're cutting from

PHUL Lower Power Workout Yesterday Barbell Squat - 105# 1x5 , 115# 3x5 - still struggling on getting low enough on my squats Barbell Deadlift - 105# 1x5, 145 3x4 - felt heavy but I felt solid in my form, just took some time to get my reps in Leg Press - 90# 1x6, 110 3x12 (PR) Leg Curl - #120 1x11, 1x10, 1x7 - legs were…