NomadVW said:I don't know how anyone can survive on 1200 calories per day.
One of the things that has helped me significantly - even over the last month of getting a better grasp on my weight is a measured RMR (very similar to BMR, but not exactly the same) I've gone through periods of time where I really count calories, but I've gone from "kinda counting them" to counting them very seriously now and keeping very close track of my +/- on the deficit for each day.
My goal right now is to maintain my weight and with my current riding regimen that was starting to become a real challenge as my weight would yo-yo in a sizeable 10 lb range.
Now that I've gone back to seriously counting calories and nutritional intake I can get specific on the weight I want to be and I can still maintain a riding regimen that improves strength and endurance @ 15, 16 and sometimes 20 hrs per week.
If you're dieting such that you can't exercise, you're cutting too many calories, IMO.
1200 calories a day? That was how many calories I had in pasta + olive oil for lunch yesterday.
Anyways, what I've found is personally I don't have to go the calorie counting route. Just clean up the diet, and take away "big meals," such that you are eating reasonably sized and healthy meals. That, combined with solid riding, seems to do the trick.
Though if you're trying to get to a very low bf%, it may not be precise enough, and then careful calorie counting might be necessary. When it gets to the point where there isn't much more weight to take off, you really have to proceed slowly, or you risk losing too much muscle.
