Introduction and need calorie help!

[crunchymomof3]

Hello all!

I'm relatively new here (been reading and absorbing LOTS of info from you very knowledgable ladies!). I've been working out consistently for about a year and a half now, but just recently discovered the wonderful world of Cathe I just finished up the Firm 90 day rotation last week (I added lots of Cathe, lol) and this week I'm doing a recovery week of easy and short workouts. On Monday, I'll be starting FitnessFreak's Circuit Mix rotation, which looks fabulous! My issue is I'm still having trouble figuring out how many calories I need... Maybe someone can help... I'm 5'5" and 128 lbs. At the start of the 90 day rotation, I was 121. I don't need to lose pounds per se, but I'd like to lose a bit of fat (pear shape with thunder thighs and junk in the trunk, lol). I also want to put on muscle, but I'd like to slim down first (going to the beach in August). I started with the Firm 14 day diet (1400 cals/day) as my first adventure in clean eating, and it went well. I didn't lose any weight, but I saw an increase in muscle definition and a decrease in body fat. After hitting a bit of a plateau, I got the e-book Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle. I thought perhaps I needed to up my caloric intake (using his formula, my TDEE was 2300!) to 1600 on low days, 2000 on high. I ended up gaining weight (though I'm sure some of it is muscle as I was lifting heavy, but some is fat based on my calliper measurements and my reflection in the mirror, lol). I was not disciplined enough to keep my high days all clean (the cheat meal would turn into a cheat day...) I did better trying to stick to one caloric level, but now I don't know what to do. This week, I went back to the 14 day diet (1400 cals, keeping the workouts very light) and my weight has just about stayed the same. Another problem is that if I try to eat more than 1600 cals (keeping it clean), I feel like I'm stuffing myself. My poor body and metabolism is probably all messed up now, but I'm not sure what to do. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to getting to know you all!

Carol

 

[megadoo]

Hi Carol. I really am not all that knowledgable here myself, as this issue confuses me also.
But I wanted to welcome you and think you are doing a great job. Hang in there, I am sure there are alot of ladies who can help.


Maeghan AKA megadoo

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[teddy16410]

bump

 

[Author]

Hi Carol,

Not sure why you gained weight, but it might have more to do with your metabolism than anything else. I know that I like to stay at a certain calorie intake, as well.

There's a book out there that you can get at www.borders.com call EAT FAT, LOOK THIN -- it's a diet, but it's also an education in nutrition and why people sometimes have a hard time taking off weight.

You diet choices are important, too, as the more nutrient dense foods are, the less the body has to eat to feel satisfied. Cheap foods with no nutrition cause the body to have to eat and eat and eat in order to get the nutritional sources it needs to simply run the systems of the body. That's why not only calories, but one's diet choices are important.

The closer the food is to the way nature intended it, the better for the body. For thousands of years, this is the way man has eaten, and the new processed "modern" foods are foreign to our bodies, and they often just store the fats (particularly trans fat) in the body because they cannot eliminate them and can't use them, so they are stored as fats.

Anyway, I would highly recommend that book EAT FAT, LOOK THIN and one other, called NOURISHING TRADITIONS -- this latter is not a diet book, but rather an education in nutrition so that you are so well informed, that you can make your own choices and know exactly what you're doing.

And welcome!:7

 

[catwoman]

How many calories do you need?

My answer isn't very scientific, but here goes:

Eat when you're hungry and don't eat when you're not. With as much as it sounds that you're working out, eat 5-6 meals per day. Eat good lean protein such as turkey breast, fish, and chicken breast, and even raw, unsalted almonds and peanuts. Substitute corn tortillas for flour tortillas. Add berries and melons to your diet (lots of 'em), and add veggies whenever you can.

If you really want to know how many calories you should be eating for your activity level, you might want to find a GOOD nutritionist in your area who will break down your daily activities and food intake, and develop a menu planner for you. You exercise a lot, from the way it sounds, so be wary of someone who tells you that you need to cut your calories. The more you exercise, the more calories you need. But they need to be "good" calories.

P.S. They say you should be eating at least every four hours.

 

[crunchymomof3]

Thanks for the tips and welcome, ladies I'll be sure to check the books out, too.

Carol