View Full Version : Are these calories too low?
Yvonne
06-05-2006, 08:20 PM
I'm 5'9" and 159/160 lbs.
I was originally following the "Bible Body Sculpting for Women" diet and I've recently realized that 1200 cals were too low. Even though I knew better I went with their suggestion for the first week and then up to 1500.
Now I'm at 1700. I'm struggling going any higher. Do you think this is still too low for me?
Thanks!
Sarah
06-05-2006, 08:21 PM
what is your goal?
Yvonne
06-05-2006, 08:33 PM
Great question. Thanks!
To get rid of the cottage cheese thighs that snuck up on me this last year. To gain muscle and have a great shape. To lose maybe 15 lbs depending on how much muscle I can gain.
I'm weight training 3 days a week and doing 3 cardio sessions a week (up to 25 min). I would also like to start adding some HIIT.
jrb1980
06-05-2006, 08:38 PM
Originally posted by Yvonne@Jun 5 2006, 08:20 PM
I'm 5'9" and 159/160 lbs.
I was originally following the "Bible Body Sculpting for Women" diet and I've recently realized that 1200 cals were too low. Even though I knew better I went with their suggestion for the first week and then up to 1500.
Now I'm at 1700. I'm struggling going any higher. Do you think this is still too low for me?
Thanks!
yes, still to low
Yvonne
06-05-2006, 08:46 PM
Originally posted by jrb1980+Jun 5 2006, 03:38 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (jrb1980 @ Jun 5 2006, 03:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Yvonne@Jun 5 2006, 08:20 PM
I'm 5'9" and 159/160 lbs.
I was originally following the "Bible Body Sculpting for Women" diet and I've recently realized that 1200 cals were too low. Even though I knew better I went with their suggestion for the first week and then up to 1500.
Now I'm at 1700. I'm struggling going any higher. Do you think this is still too low for me?
Thanks!
yes, still to low [/b][/quote]
1900?
funnyesq
06-05-2006, 08:56 PM
Originally posted by jrb1980+Jun 5 2006, 03:38 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (jrb1980 @ Jun 5 2006, 03:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Yvonne@Jun 5 2006, 08:20 PM
I'm 5'9" and 159/160 lbs.
I was originally following the "Bible Body Sculpting for Women" diet and I've recently realized that 1200 cals were too low. Even though I knew better I went with their suggestion for the first week and then up to 1500.
Now I'm at 1700. I'm struggling going any higher. Do you think this is still too low for me?
Thanks!
yes, still to low [/b][/quote]
!. Wouldn't it depend on which "goal" she wanted to reach first?
2. Wouldn't it also depend on what her current metabolism is for maintenance?
3. Wouldn't it also depend on the type and amount of activity she gets in the normal course of a day without the w/o?
For example using the formula recommended for fat loss of 12 X body weight = I get for 1920 for me (I weigh 160). However, I'm convinced (and maybe it's just fear on my part) that if I consume that much every day, I'd probably gain some if not maintain. I definitely would not lose. I have a desk job and move very little other than up and down for files, answering phone, picking up mail etc. My w/o is the most movement I get. Some light house cleaning maybe is added. I'm also 51 so my metabolism is slower I think because of age and the amount of muscle I have (although I'm probably strong for my age, my "guess" is that I do not have sufficient muscle to burn 1920 and lose weight). My "gut/experience" tells me that I lose if I do not consume more than about 1500 calories and I lose about 1 lb a week with that. Again, that's me and maybe I have screwed up my metabolism. I'm too scared to try to "test" the theory. Also I've read that it's very difficult if not impossible to lose fat and gain muscle AT THE SAME TIME. Granted it may happen if you are very overweight in the beginning, but 5'9" and 160 doesn't sound like she's "very overweight." Probably more like average. That said, I'm guessing she can't do both so she has to choose one or the other at the moment. If she wants to gain muscle...calorie surplus over maintenance...if fat loss, calorie deficit under maintenance. Is the above correct? Am I still missing something?
Yvonne
06-05-2006, 09:26 PM
Originally posted by funnyesq+Jun 5 2006, 03:56 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (funnyesq @ Jun 5 2006, 03:56 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by jrb1980@Jun 5 2006, 03:38 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Yvonne@Jun 5 2006, 08:20 PM
I'm 5'9" and 159/160 lbs.
I was originally following the "Bible Body Sculpting for Women" diet and I've recently realized that 1200 cals were too low. Even though I knew better I went with their suggestion for the first week and then up to 1500.
Now I'm at 1700. I'm struggling going any higher. Do you think this is still too low for me?
Thanks!
yes, still to low
!. Wouldn't it depend on which "goal" she wanted to reach first?
2. Wouldn't it also depend on what her current metabolism is for maintenance?
3. Wouldn't it also depend on the type and amount of activity she gets in the normal course of a day without the w/o?
For example using the formula recommended for fat loss of 12 X body weight = I get for 1920 for me (I weigh 160). However, I'm convinced (and maybe it's just fear on my part) that if I consume that much every day, I'd probably gain some if not maintain. I definitely would not lose. I have a desk job and move very little other than up and down for files, answering phone, picking up mail etc. My w/o is the most movement I get. Some light house cleaning maybe is added. I'm also 51 so my metabolism is slower I think because of age and the amount of muscle I have (although I'm probably strong for my age, my "guess" is that I do not have sufficient muscle to burn 1920 and lose weight). My "gut/experience" tells me that I lose if I do not consume more than about 1500 calories and I lose about 1 lb a week with that. Again, that's me and maybe I have screwed up my metabolism. I'm too scared to try to "test" the theory. Also I've read that it's very difficult if not impossible to lose fat and gain muscle AT THE SAME TIME. Granted it may happen if you are very overweight in the beginning, but 5'9" and 160 doesn't sound like she's "very overweight." Probably more like average. That said, I'm guessing she can't do both so she has to choose one or the other at the moment. If she wants to gain muscle...calorie surplus over maintenance...if fat loss, calorie deficit under maintenance. Is the above correct? Am I still missing something? [/b][/quote]
I've wondered about these, too. Especially the age part.
And can't I kind of both lose some fat while gaining a little muscle? It may take longer but it I like the shape of muscles and hate the girth part of being fat.
True I'm not "very overweight". I don't even like telling people that I'm trying to lose weight because those close to me tend to freak out. :rolleyes: They don't get it. I usually say, "Just a little. I really just want to be healthier." But really I got some chunky stuff all over. And I was hoping to have something kind of nice for the summer but looks like it will be closer to Christmas. At least I'll be ready for next summer. ...sorry for rambling on
Sarah
06-05-2006, 10:34 PM
Good tool to start with in figuring out cals >> http://www.muscletech.com/CALCULATORS/CALO...ator.shtml?text (http://www.muscletech.com/CALCULATORS/CALORIE/Calorie_Calculator.shtml?text) remember that this is just a tool. It may not be completely accurate for you. Use it as a guide. From there you would need to adjust according to your body.
Originally posted by kiwi@Jun 5 2006, 06:34 PM
Good tool to start with in figuring out cals >> http://www.muscletech.com/CALCULATORS/CALO...ator.shtml?text (http://www.muscletech.com/CALCULATORS/CALORIE/Calorie_Calculator.shtml?text) remember that this is just a tool. It may not be completely accurate for you. Use it as a guide. From there you would need to adjust according to your body.
Good point, particularly to use tools like this as starting points only. Then based on your results, or lack thereof, you adjust accordingly.
All these caloric tools are mathematical models with inherent assumptions. They can be off by as much as 20%, but again, it's just a starting point. You're always going to have to make adjustments to a plan. Trouble shooting is part of the game.
funnyesq
06-06-2006, 06:16 AM
Hahahhaa...1575 for me...which is about what I have noticed FOR ME. I will just have to keep at it.
Sarah
06-06-2006, 01:13 PM
Originally posted by funnyesq@Jun 6 2006, 01:16 AM
Hahahhaa...1575 for me...which is about what I have noticed FOR ME. I will just have to keep at it.
i was shocked that this one seemd to be dead on for me. others have been so far off it isn't even funny.
sexy_sefora
06-06-2006, 03:43 PM
Not to high-jack your thread but what confuses me is all these different calculators.
I'm going through a trial and error stage and see what works.
I was doing the bodyweight x 12 = 1500 (at the time) and used another calculation from t-nation that takes in your activity level, age, height, etc., it tells me i should be over 1700cals. I'm trying to carb cycle but i'm confused what cals should be my moderate day.
The calculator at muscletech tells me 1473cals,
and now i'm 118 x 12 =1416cals.
Since they are so off from each other (t-nation and muscletech) Which one do i follow? :confused:
You have to keep in mind that all these calculators are just guidelines and starting points. They're based on assumptions, mathematical models, etc. You need to use them as a starting point and adjust from there based on what's happening with your progress.
As for your medium day, I'd start it at 12X BW and adjust (likely downward if at all necessary) from there.
sexy_sefora
06-06-2006, 03:58 PM
The thing is, i tried to eat 1400 cals, but i can't live off that. I feel like i'm starving, so imagine a low day. I find this causes me to binge.
Thanks for the insight. I'm going to try a new plan and carb cycle, if it doesn't work, change again.
jrb1980
06-06-2006, 04:08 PM
Originally posted by sexy_sefora@Jun 6 2006, 03:58 PM
The thing is, i tried to eat 1400 cals, but i can't live off that. I feel like i'm starving, so imagine a low day. I find this causes me to binge.
Thanks for the insight. I'm going to try a new plan and carb cycle, if it doesn't work, change again.
Me too. Too low and it's game over.
See the 'self control' thread. :p
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