Curious about Calories

Annabelle2

Annabelle2

Cathlete
Story: I have been trying for a year to get my body fat percentage to about 16-18%. I live way in the boonies and do not have access to a trainer to get my percentage so I searched the internet and found http://www.mybodycomp.com where I took my measurements to find out my BF. It says I am 27%. I am 5'2", 46 years old, weigh 125, am a size 4/6 and am an hour glass. I eat clean a 40/30/30 breakdown and about 1300 calories a day. I am small, work out hard but do not burn a LOT of calories as compared to a taller person. I have very good upper body definition but have been working on my upper thigh area. Anyway, I have asked a similar questions on 2 fitness sites in the past and they told me my body was in starvation mode I needed to eat more. I upped my calories to 1400 to 1600 and began to really put on the weight.

Anyway, what I am asking (if you don't mind posting it)what is your height, weight, size, how many calories do you eat and what did it take to get your BF% down?

I realize this is asking a lot and I thank you for any responses.
 
My height is 5-4, weight around 150, size 8 age 43. I had my BF done by a caliper at the Y last year and it was 21%. I am a very muscular build. Mybodycomp.com said my BF was 33%, so I don't think it works well for muscular women.

I don't know how many calories I eat, maybe 1800-2000 a day. I am a swimmer so burn a lot of calories swimming 12000-15000 yards a week. I also work out to Cathe videos, weight training 2-3 times per week.

How long did you up your calories for? Also, maybe you need to do a plan where you vary your calories, low one day, high the next to keep your body guessing. I used WW to lose 35 pounds 2 years ago, and I always had a "free" day once a week where I did not count points, and it seemed to help. I lost steadily throughout the 6 months it took to lose. I am now have maintained within 5 pounds for 1.45 years.
 
Hello Kathy!!:)

You and I are almost identical!! I, too, am 5'2'' and weigh around 130lbs. I am an hour glass figure and am 42years young. I also wear a size 6, sometimes a 4 depending on the brand. I saw you in the last FIRM informercial and so I know exactly how you look!! YOU LOOK GREAT!!

Ok, I have figure out that in order to lose body fat, I've got to do TONS of cardio. I have found running to work for me. My exercise workouts ALWAYS inclue some running. Right now, I'm following the Better Body month 2 rotation from the FIRM. If there is a short tape for that day, I include a short run. If the day calls for a cardio tape, I run. The only time I don't run is when I do a long sculpting tape. Then, of course, I take one day off. I am finding that that works for me.

AS for the eating, I'm with Dorothy on this. I think you need to mix it up. Have some low calorie days with high calorie days. I think you are kinda starving your body a little.

I really think the KEY for lowering the body fat is CARDIO!!!

HTH...I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

MISS ya!

take care:)
Gloria
 
you need to eat more! i'm 5'2" alos... and i eat AT LEAST 1800 calories a day! my BMR is a MINIMUM of 1220 just to be awake... no walking, no working out, no housework, no driving.. add calories for everything you do (even sitting at the computer) plus workout calories.. and yes.. you are in starvation mode.. which means your body is hanging on to everythin you have for dear life!

like i said.. i'm 5'2" weigh 111 pounds, have about 14% body fat.

on days i work out harder (i.e. cycle) i eat more to compensate for all the extra calories i burned! however.. even on days i don't cyle.. and just do a cathe workout.. i still eat at least 1800 calories!

i think cardio is the key to losing body fat... (as i said i cycle.. plus i also was doing rotations of CTX with cardio every day for a while.. now i mix it up more!)
 
HI,
I am 5'7" and weigh 133lbs and have been maintaining at this weight for several months. Depending on the clothing manufacturer I can wear as small as a 4...usually its a six but in some clothing lines..I need an 8. I eat from 2200-2500 calories/day. Over the past several months I have measured my body fat percentage by three methods: calipers, electrical resistance and underwater. I had two separate caliper measurements by individuals who supposedly know what they were doing and I rang in at about 16% for one individual and 18% for another. The electrical resistance had me in the upper 20s and the underwater was in between 21 and 22%. The underwater is the more acurate measurement. I have heard that electrical resistance consistently for many individuals overestimates fat percentage but it is easy and convenient and is probably a good way to track progress.
 
Kathy,

I have the same problem as you. I was eating around 1200 calories a day, upped it to approx 1600 calories and gained weight. I now stay around 1300-1400 calories.

I really think age and heredity has a lot to do with it. Metobolism slows down as we get older...that's a fact.

You might try lowering your carb intake and increasing your protein. That helped me a bit.

Oh, I am 5'0" and approx 123 lbs and also an hourglass. I don't know what my body fat is but I have a very solid, defined upper body. It's my lower body that gives me problems.
 
I had a really great reply but lost it somewhere in cyberspace!

I thank you all for participating and thank you Gloria.

I love all your suggestions and Candi - we really do sound a lot alike, Gloria and I too.

I have decided to try zigzagging, upping protein and taking down the carbs and we will see how it goes.

Once again, I thank you so much for your replies!!!!!
 
I'll throw in my $.02. I'm 5'5" on a tall day, and weigh around 126. I have found that when i really want to lose a few pounds, substituting a protein shake(made with lots of fruit!) for one of my meals helps a lot. I naturally zig zag my calories, from 1400 on low days to 2000 on high days. The 2000 calorie days tend to fall on weekends}( . But when i'm trying to lose a few pounds, I drop the high days to about 1800 calories.

and last but not least, when i'm really having a hard time, i cut cheese and peanut butter out of my diet. They are 2 of my favorite foods that i tend to grab for snacks a little too quickly sometimes!:9

Don't know that i helped much, this is just what works for me!

Good luck!
 
Kathy,
Here's what's helped me drop 10% bodyfat:

1) lots of cardio - I do a lighter cardio in the evening for 30-45 minutes regardless of what my "normal" rotation was or what I've already done in the morning --- I keep my heartrate in the 70% zone even for "light" cardio....higher for "regular or interval" cardio

2) eliminate grains but still maintain a 40 carb/40 protein/20 fat percentage in my food by eating lots of fruits and veggies

3) lift heavy weights to maintain muscle mass (very important!)

Best wishes, you've come so far and look great already! :)

Kathy
 
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