Trying to figure out my Calorie intake to lose weight

mistycatt · 02-Jun-05, 10:25 AM

Hi guys,

I have been working out for about 2 months now and I have been watching what I eat, but recently I read on another board about calorie intake and cutting back and trying to burn 250 calories a day to lose a pound a week...

Anyway, I'm a bit confused! I looked up my BMR at it says to maintain my current weight in need to eat 1287 does that sound right??

I weight 105 pounds and am thin everywhere except my stomach so I have been doing cardio and lifting weights to tone up. I am not trying to lose a ton of wieght I am already small, I just want to tone and try and get rid of this little bulge.

Anyway, Any suggestions

**threenorns** · 02-Jun-05, 10:44 AM

yup: keep your calorie intake at the same level, do high-intensity cardio, and HEAVY weights.

you'll increase your muscle mass which will up your metabolic rate and give you a more pleasing shape and, as an added bonus, burn off any remaining pudge left hanging around. (NO, you won't look like alice schwarzenegger!)

btw, that little "fat" on your lower stomach may not actually be fat - some women are built in such a fashion that internal organs cause the lower abdomen to round out - it's a very desirable look these days.

**Lady C** · 02-Jun-05, 10:45 AM

At 105 lbs it does not sound to me like you need to lose weight. Focus on adding muscle and your body will shed excess fat if the diet component is right. What does a typical day of eating look like for you (please be detailed)?

**midgetcop** · 02-Jun-05, 11:13 AM

A lot of us have those stubborn areas where the last few pounds of bodyfat seems to cling to.

I wouldn't obsess too much over your stomach. You might eventually get a flat stomach by losing more weight, but at what cost? What's the rest of you going to look/feel like?

**cursor** · 02-Jun-05, 11:14 AM

Focus on lifting heavier weights (the only way to "tone"). Effective resistance training is the only real way to shead the fat and have any real 'shape-able' flesh left. You might find it enlightening to paw through Laura817's info on this site:

Laura's Pictures
Laura817
Women & Iron
Laura's Daily Journal
Laura's Journal :: Strength & Endurance

mistycatt · 02-Jun-05, 12:28 PM

Oh my god! She looks great.... What did she do? Just lift weights???

**threenorns** · 02-Jun-05, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistycatt

Oh my god! She looks great.... What did she do? Just lift weights???

um... that would be in "Laura's Daily Journal".

mistycatt · 02-Jun-05, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threenorns

um... that would be in "Laura's Daily Journal".

I know, I'm an idiot... I just looked at her pictures!!!! and did not look at anything else

mistycatt · 02-Jun-05, 12:47 PM

I don't want to lose any more weight, but I would like to reduce my body fat... It is 21%.

I viewed Laura's journal but quite honestly I don't have the time to do that or join a gym. I have a Treadmill/Bike and a Bowflex at home.

Do you think If I start using the bowflex and start working out my entire body it will help, or do I need to join a gym to have access to all those weight machines?

Also, I have been using the treadmill for 30 min 4x a week and am starting to get burned out... should I do 3 times a week and increase my weight training and start a whole body workout???

**threenorns** · 02-Jun-05, 12:48 PM

try this: do a full body workout four days a week. on the other three days, do a 20min cardio session at a much higher intensity.

repeat for four weeks and evaluate progress. you should find that your inches have shrunk (fat loss) but your weight is the same (muscle gain).

mistycatt · 02-Jun-05, 01:10 PM

Okay so do I do the full body workouts 4 days in a row or spread it out... I'm sorry I don't know anything about weight training

**threenorns** · 02-Jun-05, 01:28 PM

whatever floats your boat, but i'd alternate cardio/workout

**midgetcop** · 02-Jun-05, 01:28 PM

No, you need to give your muscles a day to recover. Do your cardio in between your lift days.