Another De-lurker with Another Question

[Kat126]

I lost around 80 lbs several years ago. I have gained 20 of it back over the past couple of years - I have consistently eaten 1200 - 1300 calories during this time but have been reluctant to go under that to get my weight back down. I am a regular home exerciser I do everything from Kettlebells to Cardio Coach to Cathe Frederick etc. I turned 50 this year, I am not in menopause. I have the book NROLFW and really want to try it - I am afraid to eat the amount they say to eat - it recommends 1539 and 1796 for me and I am scared. What is your experience do you think I should make this big jump or maybe up it a little like start with 1300 - 1500? I would like to hear your experience. When I have experimented with eating more I have gained weight and then in turn, upped my cardio and taken my calories back down, which I now read that this is not good - I would greatly appreciate your opinion/experience/knowledge regarding the eating particularly if you share my experience.

[rixatrix]

Kfisherx posted this in another thread and I just read it yesterday. Have a look:

Bodybuilding.com - David Greenwalt - Living With Obesity At 700 Calories Per Day!

I'm not 50, I'm 24. But I've been trying to lose weight most of my life, off and on, blah blah blah. I've lost weight at 1800 calories, I've screeched to a halt at 1400 calories and I've gained just LOOKING at food. This week I'm eating 2500 calories, and it's brilliant.

Trust the program. Metabolism chases intake.

You WILL gain weight at first. Your body is adjusting. And then you'll lose fat while eating more and nourishing your body with additional vitamins and nutrients. Oh, um, and you'll be happier. Eating 2500 calories, my energy is through the roof, I'm chipper (wow! this is a big accomplishment for me =o), and I'm not craving sweets or junk at all.

Start slow. You'll get there.

[Natalia]

Good advice, rixatrix!

[JustKim]

I am only on week three. I, too, used to eat very little calories! In these three weeks, I have been eating what's recommended. I eat 2500 calories on my workout days and over 2000 on non workout days. Considering I was eating around 1400-1600 calories before it seems like I am eating a horse every day. BUT I feel so much better, energized even and have lost just as steadily as before. I've even wondered if I should eat MORE because of it! And keep in mind that your body will be building muscle so as the scale stays steady it doesn't mean you aren't losing fat, just "exchanging" it' for muscle so to speak. Check out Jamie's transformation The NROL4W -- It's Vomitastic! She has inspired me to no end. The scale shows a gain but especially in those side view pictures, her body has completely changed. She has CLEARLY lost soo many inches and built muscle in the best areas. Trust the plan! I have been reading logs lately and seeing picture after picture of women with whom the scale says one thing and the pictures blow my mind! It helps me keep pushing forward. I have a lot more weight than you to lose and if it weren't for seeing these amazing results from the ladies who have been at it for a while, I might have lost my resolve. But I'm more than happy to trade my flabby body for a lean mean one even if the scale tries to lie to me.

I honestly had a hard hard time eating so much at first. Mentally it was a big deal for me. But now I feel fantastic and can clearly feel my workouts lacking on days I don't eat quite enough. Our bodies need food to be able to work so hard. You'll do great!

[Bytsi]

Kat - I'm scared too - and we're in a similar place. I'm 40, and my recommended calories are close to yours... I lost weight (50#) but put 15 (or 20) back on and want to take it back down (but I don't want to lose muscle)... I started trying to eat about 1800-2000 on workout days, but I went up 1-2#, so I'm trying now for 1600-1800 instead, and we'll see how that goes. Right now my stomach is growling loudly and I know I need to listen (today was a lifting day)...

I'm trying very hard to trust, to listen to all these women who are having success. I KNOW scientifically it's all correct, and it's what I tell other people to do. But doing it myself - that's the trick... Keep posting - I think this board is going to be very helpful for both of us.

[RedWifey]

Originally Posted by JustKim

I am only on week three. I, too, used to eat very little calories! In these three weeks, I have been eating what's recommended. I eat 2500 calories on my workout days and over 2000 on non workout days. Considering I was eating around 1400-1600 calories before it seems like I am eating a horse every day. BUT I feel so much better, energized even and have lost just as steadily as before. I've even wondered if I should eat MORE because of it! And keep in mind that your body will be building muscle so as the scale stays steady it doesn't mean you aren't losing fat, just "exchanging" it' for muscle so to speak. Check out Jamie's transformation The NROL4W -- It's Vomitastic! She has inspired me to no end. The scale shows a gain but especially in those side view pictures, her body has completely changed. She has CLEARLY lost soo many inches and built muscle in the best areas. Trust the plan! I have been reading logs lately and seeing picture after picture of women with whom the scale says one thing and the pictures blow my mind! It helps me keep pushing forward. I have a lot more weight than you to lose and if it weren't for seeing these amazing results from the ladies who have been at it for a while, I might have lost my resolve. But I'm more than happy to trade my flabby body for a lean mean one even if the scale tries to lie to me.

I honestly had a hard hard time eating so much at first. Mentally it was a big deal for me. But now I feel fantastic and can clearly feel my workouts lacking on days I don't eat quite enough. Our bodies need food to be able to work so hard. You'll do great!

I am totally blown away! I am so honored to be considered anyone's inspiration. I wish you all lots of energy, physical and mental strength, and the desire to continue on this journey that we've started.

Rock on, Girls! Plan your work and work the plan! You CAN do it, you just have to trust your strong body and give it what it needs (FOOD and REST)!

Thanks for making my evening!

[kfisherx]

I am a classic under-eater turned big eater. I have done nothing but lost weight up until I ate 3000 kcals a day average. Then I started to gain a little. You will be surprised at how your metabolism reacts to being fed. It will burn hot for you in no time.

[Kat126]

Wow, thanks for all your responses! I have another question for low cal eaters that now eat more - did you up your calories gradually? I am going to give it a try - I really want to do this. I am still a bit scared I just need to sit down and make a plan, start date, meals - I am a planner - if it isn't written down I won't do it so here I go! OH, and thanks for all your friendly responses - I feel quite welcomed

[prof41]

Originally Posted by Kat126

Wow, thanks for all your responses! I have another question for low cal eaters that now eat more - did you up your calories gradually? I am going to give it a try - I really want to do this. I am still a bit scared I just need to sit down and make a plan, start date, meals - I am a planner - if it isn't written down I won't do it so here I go! OH, and thanks for all your friendly responses - I feel quite welcomed

Hey Welcome aboard

I probably ate a lot less that the recommended cals in the book. When I started, I basically just tried to reach the goal calories. It took me a while though. Some have upped the cals in increments also, say 300 a day or so.

The toughest for me is getting enough protein. I still have to work hard on that. But it works, trust me. I think I will see gains in strengh and loss of BF% that I have never seen before with this program.

It's not the magic bullet, but with patience and hard work, I beleive it can help you attain new levels of fitness.

[RedLefty]

And be patient, ladies. RedWifey was feeling good but didn't think she had any body changes in the first six weeks or so. She was feeling great but clothes were fitting the same and she was almost getting frustrated. Then BOOM the inches started coming off. And now the weight is dropping along with the inches, and she's in week 11-12. I'm a dude but have had almost the same experience.

[MuscleMom23]

I have seen it recommended somewhere that if you are nervous up your calories 250 a week until you are stable. It is possible that your maintenance is lower NOW. But that will change. I was eating 1500 cals and my maintenance is 2500-2600. I would have never believed it. I did the workouts and I wanted to eat my arm off. I didn't and I was not losing very well. I have been slowly upping the cals and finally something is coming off!

If you are nervous do your workouts up the cals a little at a time and see what happens. I can understand freaking out a gain after losing all that weight. You just haven't found a sweet spot for keeping it off yet.

I have found if I over eat on a weekend, where I used to put on pounds, now I gain water and it is gone in a couple of days! I am no longer freaked out. But in order not to freak out, you need a history of good things happening and that will take time and faith.

Read some of these logs around January when a bunch of people started. You will find out, everyone freaked out about this and are finally okay with it. It is odd, it is weird, it is AWESOME not to starve!

[Kat126]

Thank you for responding -- I am going to take the 250 calorie a week suggestion -- I start Sunday -- thank you!