Calorie Confusion!!! (long)

[decca]

Hey everyone- been reading the posts and there's a lot of good info here. Y'all know your stuff! I'm completely confused about calorie consumption, and I'm hoping someone can shed some light on the situation for me.

I'm a female, 27y/o, 5'8, 118lbs. My bodyfat was tested at 14.9% recently by one of those digital handheld devices. I've been working out with weights for the past 2 months (4-5x per week), doing cardio (about 3x per week). I know that I am probably underweight for my height, but I'd like to get rid of the extra fat around my stomach and thighs. I have no idea how many calories I should be eating in order to meet this goal- I've read all kinds of conflicting information and it's a bit mind-boggling.

My workout routine is something like this:
Monday:
leg press 3x15/2x10
leg ext 3x15
leg curl 3x15
toe press 2x15
20 min cardio

Tuesday:
bench press 3x15
push ups 3x15
shoulder press 4x15
tricep ext 3x15
abs

Wednesday:
lat pulldowns 4x15
bicep curl 4x15
rows 3x10
abs
cardio

Thursday:
squats 4x15
walking lunges 3x30
step ups 4x15

Friday (lighter weight):
bench press 2x20
lat pulldowns: 2x20
shoulder press 2x20
shrugs 2x20
bicep curl 2x20
tricep cable ext 2x20
abs
cardio

I eat between 1300-1600 calories a day, spaced between about 5-6 meals. 40% protein, 45% carb, 15% fat.

Sorry about the info overload, but I need help! Any suggestions, ideas, critiques?

THANKS!!

[cursor]

Nice, helpful layout of data. I'm just about to shift gears for the evening. I'll make a run through your stats tomorrow morning. (But yes, you should be eating more.)

[decca]

Originally Posted by cursor

Nice, helpful layout of data. I'm just about to shift gears for the evening. I'll make a run through your stats tomorrow morning. (But yes, you should be eating more.)

Thanks, cursor. I look forward to your reply!

[cursor]

Kill the lighter weight session. Reduce your workouts to no more than 4 per week. MTwTFss (lower case = rest days).

Increase your caloric intake to 2000+.

By reducing your caloric intake so low, you are working against your body's need for proper building blocks to maintain existing muscle (and build new). The extra bit of fat that you're trying to lose simply won't disappear until you can get your metabolism back in gear.

[decca]

Thanks cursor! I really appreciate your help. I'd been thinking that 5x/week of lifting was a bit much for me. I'm going to have a tough time adding those extra ~500 calories to my diet; I'm so used to eating the way I currently do. Should I make this change gradually or would it be okay to just go right into the 2000+ range? Also, do you think the 3x/week cardio (20 mins. HIIT) is alright?

This forum is such a great resource. There's so much to read here! Thanks again.

~decca

[cursor]

If you like, do the aerobics. The most important factor, however, is the lifting/feeding/rest cycle.

If you feel that the increased caloric intake is going to be difficult (at first) consider consuming more liquid calories (they always go down easily). Alternatively, split the difference this week, then hit the 2000 calories next.

You might find it worthwhile in your meal planning to consider the following references:

Workout Timing and Diet Tactics
Slimming Down

[decca]

Well, I've been trying to eat more calories over the past week, per cursor's advice. It seems a bit counterintuitive that one should eat more in order to lose fat, but you can't argue with results: I am now at 13.3% BF and have gained 3 pounds (now at 121). :-) My abs are really starting to come out, and I (and my metabolism) couldn't be happier!

Thank you for the excellent advice!

~decca

[cursor]

Well congratulations! It sounds like you got your body purring nicely. Continue to post your progress to inspire us all.