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purplekale · 05-29-2009, 01:36 PM

Thanks so much!

Calorie needs: Based on the activity quiz, maintenance calories are 1800/day for me. I suspect it is higher though; maybe I am underestimating my NEAT or maybe my RMR is just higher than others. A year ago, I also did much more NEAT, at least an extra hour's worth of easy activity (bigger city=much more more biking/walking). I wouldn't be surprised if I was burning 2200-2500/day, depending on the day. Now, not so much.

Weight: I agree the number 107# doesn't mean anything, it just happened to be my breaking point. I looked really good then, and no one thought I looked too skinny (except for my dad, who says I'm too skinny unless I'm about 130--which looks chunky on ME). I'd be thrilled with 112# as well, and 107# might well translate to 112# after switching to maintenance, so as long as I don't feel burned out, I'll aim for around there. I gain all my weight in my stomach, which is good because I always look slim (ie, not top-heavy), but to get a slim-looking stomach, I have to lose more fat than others.

For proportions: I have been doing 30% fat, 55% carbs, 15% protein on a vegan diet minus protein powder. Lots of veggies, nuts/seeds, fruit, and beans.

The thing is, eating ad lib, I would rather eat a diet of 50% fruit. Currently I have been having 2-3 servings/day and don't want to go lower, because I love it so much. But I could replace beans with protein powder and that ups the protein and lowers the carbs a LOT (since 1 cup beans=230 calories, depending) to about Zone proportions. I'm not sure though... I'll change out 1/2 cup beans for an eqaul caloric amount of protein powder, and switch out the other 1/2 cup if I feel I need to later.

So basically, now my NEAT is lower and my stress is higher (having gone back to school), so this might be okay. I will try sticking to the 1300-1500 range (I aim for 1300 but allow an extra 200 if strongly desired) and watch out for signs that I need to up protein or refeed, or lose weight more slowly.

IF was nice because it led to such quick results--but is that a bad idea here? Right now, I look forward to my meals (yes, for entertainment and enjoyment) and would rather do low calories than IF, but if I feel motivated to do both, should I ignore that idea?

05-29-2009, 01:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
purplekale Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 25	Thanks so much! Calorie needs: Based on the activity quiz, maintenance calories are 1800/day for me. I suspect it is higher though; maybe I am underestimating my NEAT or maybe my RMR is just higher than others. A year ago, I also did much more NEAT, at least an extra hour's worth of easy activity (bigger city=much more more biking/walking). I wouldn't be surprised if I was burning 2200-2500/day, depending on the day. Now, not so much. Weight: I agree the number 107# doesn't mean anything, it just happened to be my breaking point. I looked really good then, and no one thought I looked too skinny (except for my dad, who says I'm too skinny unless I'm about 130--which looks chunky on ME). I'd be thrilled with 112# as well, and 107# might well translate to 112# after switching to maintenance, so as long as I don't feel burned out, I'll aim for around there. I gain all my weight in my stomach, which is good because I always look slim (ie, not top-heavy), but to get a slim-looking stomach, I have to lose more fat than others. For proportions: I have been doing 30% fat, 55% carbs, 15% protein on a vegan diet minus protein powder. Lots of veggies, nuts/seeds, fruit, and beans. The thing is, eating ad lib, I would rather eat a diet of 50% fruit. Currently I have been having 2-3 servings/day and don't want to go lower, because I love it so much. But I could replace beans with protein powder and that ups the protein and lowers the carbs a LOT (since 1 cup beans=230 calories, depending) to about Zone proportions. I'm not sure though... I'll change out 1/2 cup beans for an eqaul caloric amount of protein powder, and switch out the other 1/2 cup if I feel I need to later. So basically, now my NEAT is lower and my stress is higher (having gone back to school), so this might be okay. I will try sticking to the 1300-1500 range (I aim for 1300 but allow an extra 200 if strongly desired) and watch out for signs that I need to up protein or refeed, or lose weight more slowly. IF was nice because it led to such quick results--but is that a bad idea here? Right now, I look forward to my meals (yes, for entertainment and enjoyment) and would rather do low calories than IF, but if I feel motivated to do both, should I ignore that idea?