Author Topic: Calorie Question  (Read 1661 times)

Offline Eric Kropp

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Calorie Question
« on: November 30, 2008, 11:27:55 AM »
About how many calories should I be taking in to lose weight successfully?  I'm 16, 170 lbs, 5'9 and fairly active.  I want to know the limit of how many calories I should be taking in to still manage to lose bodyfat and keep most of the muscle I have.

Offline Charles Moreland

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2008, 11:41:36 AM »
A simple google search of "Caloric intake calculator" got me this:

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm



Offline Eric Kropp

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2008, 02:00:40 PM »
Thanks for that, it's really helpful ;D

Offline TraceuseDS

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2008, 02:30:37 PM »
A simple google search of "Caloric intake calculator" got me this:

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm




Off on a tangent...do we like the BF% calculator that shows up on that site? Or does someone know of a better one? I've been trying to find a good one, but I've tried a couple and gotten numbers that differ by up to 10% using the same measurements...
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Offline Chris Salvato

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2008, 04:08:07 PM »
A simple google search of "Caloric intake calculator" got me this:

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm




Off on a tangent...do we like the BF% calculator that shows up on that site? Or does someone know of a better one? I've been trying to find a good one, but I've tried a couple and gotten numbers that differ by up to 10% using the same measurements...


This one supposedly has pretty decent measurements: http://zone.cust.he.net/prothd2.html

About how many calories should I be taking in to lose weight successfully?  I'm 16, 170 lbs, 5'9 and fairly active.  I want to know the limit of how many calories I should be taking in to still manage to lose bodyfat and keep most of the muscle I have.

While a calculator may prove useful as a starting point, they are somewhat worthless in my opinion.

Monitor your caloric intake for 1-2 weeks.  See if you are gaining, maintaining or losing in that time period.  If gaining/maintaining and want to lose then you eat less.

www.fitday.com makes this exceptionally easy.  I did this for 13 months on my own with an excel spreadsheet that I manually programmed... www.fitday.com is much better and easier. 

Be as strict as you can in your measurements of what you eat for optimal results...i used to weigh everything I ate...might be worth it to do so for a couple of weeks at least.
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Offline Eric Kropp

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2008, 04:51:01 PM »
Yeah I started using FitDay today.  I ate about 1,500 calories, and my workout went fine and my energy levels are good as well.   

Offline Chris Salvato

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #6 on: November 30, 2008, 05:04:04 PM »
1500 is kind of low for someone of your age/size.

Why are you trying to lose, btw?

Eating a fair amount, just of better foods, will probably work wonders to lean you out since you are still growing.
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Offline Eric Kropp

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #7 on: November 30, 2008, 05:09:11 PM »
I want to drop my bodyfat % a lot, that's my only goal really

Offline Chris Salvato

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #8 on: November 30, 2008, 06:09:01 PM »
what is your bf% right now?
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Offline TraceuseDS

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #9 on: November 30, 2008, 08:21:36 PM »
This one supposedly has pretty decent measurements: http://zone.cust.he.net/prothd2.html

Hmm. It looks good until you actually try to enter numbers, but when you hit "submit" it goes to a file-not-found page.
Just take the next step.A day without a challenge is a wasted day.

Offline Chris Salvato

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #10 on: November 30, 2008, 08:38:00 PM »
Strange...

This one is also supposed to be really good:

http://www.linear-software.com/online.html

Use the one with tape measure methods.
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Offline Eric Kropp

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #11 on: December 01, 2008, 12:22:20 PM »
According to this I'm 22.57% bodyfat  :o  It's weird cause I don't look fat at all.  I want to drop to about 9-12%
« Last Edit: December 01, 2008, 12:49:25 PM by Eric Kropp »

Offline Chris Salvato

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #12 on: December 01, 2008, 12:56:45 PM »
Can you see your abs when you lift up your arms?
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Offline Eric Kropp

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #13 on: December 01, 2008, 12:57:30 PM »
Nope  :-\

Offline Chris Salvato

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #14 on: December 01, 2008, 01:27:59 PM »
you are likely over 15% if you cant see your abs when you lift up your arms....22.54% may or may not be accurate -- but yea, you can stand to lose some fat...

Looking over your fitday from the first entry -- your protein sources are horrible..albeit better than nothing.  Many foods you are consuming are highly processed and filled with nitrates and preservatives (frankfurter, bacon, etc.)

However, your ratio is really good as well as your caloric intake.  Don't let calories slip TOO low because excess calories + excess exercise will result in fat retention -- im not quite sure by what mechanism, but i know it's proven...excuse my lack of knowledge here.

Keep your metcons under 15 minutes -- closer to 5-10 at very high intensity.  Keep up the walking instead of the bus, if at all possible...you may want to consider doing short duration sprints during your walk home to keep things interesting and high intensity.

It seems like, all in all, you are on the right track.  Start counting pounds and inches.  Measure/weigh in once every other week...if you are not losing consistently we can reevaluate things.
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Offline Eric Kropp

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #15 on: December 01, 2008, 01:35:46 PM »
Yeah those aren't the best sources.  My eating yesterday was better however.  Would hill sprints count as a good metcon workout?

Offline Chris Salvato

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #16 on: December 01, 2008, 02:13:06 PM »
sure :P 

when it comes to metcons, be sure you mix it up, though -- which it seems like you are.

I will likely be checking in on your log to see the progress....but i want to reiterate..if there is no progress in 2 weeks, let us know.
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Offline Eric Kropp

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #17 on: December 01, 2008, 02:55:21 PM »
What kind of results should I be looking for within the next 2 weeks?

Offline Chris Salvato

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #18 on: December 01, 2008, 02:56:56 PM »
A loss of 1-4 pounds or some decrease in measurement at least.

Also, don't forget to get AMPLE REST (9 hours a night) as well as drink your water.
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Offline Eric Kropp

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Re: Calorie Question
« Reply #19 on: December 01, 2008, 03:04:36 PM »
Yeah, I've been getting around 8 to 8.5 hours of sleep a night, around 3 of water a day, two multivitamins, and 6 fish oil capsules.  Hopefully this helps with the progression.