Calorie Question

[cmill628]

Hello,

Since I came to college I quit working out often and stopped eating right, gained about 30lbs in the past two years. About a month ago I started going to the gym regularly and intensifying my workouts. Started eating right again, went to a nutrition shop and used their inbody machine to get an idea of where I was at. Found out my BMR was around 1800 calories, and after more talking with the shop owner he estimated that I needed to eat around 2700 calories a day to lose fat. To me this seemed a bit high considering I usually eat around 2000 calories a day. I have no problem eating healthy, but I have been trying to eat 2700 calories a day with 50% carbs, 30% protein, and 20% fats, and I have been having a hard time fully meeting my carb goal.

Do yall think that 2700 calories is about right? I am 5'11", 214lbs, and 28% BF. I weight lift 5 days a week, do cardio and abs 3 of those days.

Also, if anyone has any recipes or suggestions that could help me meet my carb goal that'd be great.

[AdamWW]

I usually eat around 2000 calories a day.

I am 5'11", 214lbs, and 28% BF. I weight lift 5 days a week, do cardio and abs 3 of those days.

I don't believe you... you wouldn't have ever gotten to 214lb eating that little.

You also didn't provide enough info... you said "I do cardio". Well, OK, how much? What kind? How long to you lift weights when you do?

What about other lifestyle and activity factors?

Calorie needs are based on the total energy expenditure (TDEE)... and you haven't provided a full picture.

[cmill628]

I don't believe you

Elaborate

[AdamWW]

Elaborate

Please read my response (edited) again.

Bottom line, you would never reach 214lb eating 2000 calories a day unless you were in a coma being fed through a tube... even then, probably not.

[cmill628]

Please read my response (edited) again.

Bottom line, you would never reach 214lb eating 2000 calories a day unless you were in a coma being fed through a tube... even then, probably not.

My bad I misphrased that, I didn't care about what I ate and drank for the past few years and that's how I got where I am. Since I moved into my own house with a kitchen, I am able to cook for myself so I've been sticking around 2000 calories a day for the past month until I was told I needed to eat 700 calories more a day to better lose fat, which surprised me.

[cmill628]

I don't believe you... you wouldn't have ever gotten to 214lb eating that little.

You also didn't provide enough info... you said "I do cardio". Well, OK, how much? What kind? How long to you lift weights when you do?

What about other lifestyle and activity factors?

Calorie needs are based on the total energy expenditure (TDEE)... and you haven't provided a full picture.

Work chest/shoulders/tris and run 1-2 miles Monday. Legs/Abs Tuesday. Back/Biceps and run 1-2 miles Wednesday. Legs/abs Thursday. Chest/Shoulders/Tris/abs and run 1-2 miles on Saturday. I try to superset every workout that I can.
I usually spend 1.5 - 2 hours at the gym, probably a little less on leg day. That's the most I do physically everyday, I come back home and drive Postmates, or work on summer classes.

[AdamWW]

Well what has your weight been doing on 2000 calories? If you’re losing weight at a desirable rate... then why change anything?

[TheUnderdog83]

My bad I misphrased that, I didn't care about what I ate and drank for the past few years and that's how I got where I am. Since I moved into my own house with a kitchen, I am able to cook for myself so I've been sticking around 2000 calories a day for the past month until I was told I needed to eat 700 calories more a day to better lose fat, which surprised me.

Eating more calories never makes you lose more weight.

[cljolley]

I agree with the above two posts. Just because somebody tells you you need to be eating more to lose weight, why listen? Your own body, as well as your day to day performance are the best indicators of what you need to be doing.

Look at it this way. You could eat 2000 calories a day and lose weight. You could also starve yourself and eat 1000 calories a day and lose even more weight at an even faster rate, but there are consequences obviously, and I would never recommend that.

If you're losing weight at an acceptable rate, AND YOU FEEL GOOD, chances are you don't need to change anything. However if you feel like you can still lose weight at an acceptable rate and the extra calories makes you perform better day to day, try it. Worst case scenario you have to reevaluate again.

Always do what suits you best as an individual. That's the key to success in any fitness regimen. If you're doing something that is not sustainable then failure is never far behind. Good luck!

[colontos]

I was told I needed to eat 700 calories more a day to better lose fat, which surprised me.

It should surprise you, because it's bullchit.

It may well be true that 2700 is a better number for you, in order to lose weight at a steady, sustainable rate without too much muscle loss.

But "to better lose fat," the answer is always fewer calories, not more.