Am I getting enough calories?

HI, I just joined and am wondering if anyone can help me out. I want to lose about 20 lbs and am aiming for 1400 calories a day. I do at least an hour of cardio at the gym followed by about 15 minutes of abs with weights, and work out with weights with a trainer 2-3 days a week (been doing all this for about a month and a half). Although I feel stronger and more energized, I'm not noticing a change in weight or inches, should I up my calories?

Oh, the cardio and ab work is 6 days a week

What does the site tools say? You shouldn't have more than a 1000cal/day deficit in any event, and for someone looking to lose just 10lbs that may be way too agressive for optimal results, 500-750 calories deficit is probably better. So log your exercise and make sure you aren't having too much of a deficit; a too-agressive approach will make your body hold on to every gram of fat it's got in self-defense.

 Also, make sure that every time you train with weights, you do them before cardio for really optimal fat-burning results :)

OKay, I guess this is where I get confused (damn blonde hair!!) The tools say I burn 2300 a day, but the burn estimate on my log is 2690.  So I guess I can up it a bit? Believe me I dont want my body holding onto every gram of fat!!

Thanks for the tip on the cardio. Of COURSE  I've been doin it the other way around!! Kinda pissed my "trainer" never meantioned that to me, but will start tomorrow.

Well, there are arguments to be made either way for what's really optimal for your goals and such, and if your trainer has read different studies from the Journal of Sports Medicine than the ones I have there might be differences of opinion based in legitimate research...

 But in general, for most people, and for most goals, weights first is optimal.

 And yes, you want your "eat meter" to be no more than 1000 calories less than your "burn meter", and preferably you'd have just a 500-750 calories difference; otherwise your body will think "famine" and start to slow down your metabolism to avoid burning up all the precious fat stores it's worked so hard to build up :)

Oh no, I beleive you. I guess its hard to note the sarcasism in a typed letter :)  Im getting very frustrated with my trainers. I've had 5 different ones now, and not one of them  have asked about my goals etc. A couple have asked me how much weight I need what machines Im using etc. and I finally snapped at one and said  "Im sorry but you gotta stop asking me these questions, my past workouts are all there in the journal,  If I knew how to use all the machines and what weight to use I wouldnt need you!!! "  I asked if one could take all my measurements for me so I could track my progress and he couldnt find the tape measure so I shrugged it off, but no one else has offered either. I know I should probably be takin a more aggressive attitude toward them (lord knows Im not usually afraid to speak my mind), but at the same time, I really DO need them and dont wanna be known as the bitch that compains :)

Thanks so much for clarification on the "meters", its all starting to make sense now....If you'll excuse me, Im gonna go eat some more! :)

i think that you need to use a tape measure for sure. because weight training ultimately means you gain muscle. so the whole losing 10 20 lbs is sort of off balance with your goal to look better and feel better. also, its ok to warm up a bit on a cardio machine ( 10-20 min) but they are right in saying you should lift first then cardio. you use your glycogen stored up in your muscles ( and you need it to lift weights) . and go ahead and bitch sometimes its the only way they listen. or better, forget 'em and listen to yourself :)

And this is why I think there's a whole lot of "Certified-over-the-weekend" personal trainers who shouldn't be allowed within a hundred yards of a gym. In general I think everyone does try, but there's a lot of really lousy ones out there.

  You'll see some really good ones hanging out here though - there's a bunch of real professionals who stop by from time to time ;) Meanwhile, meet Krista of Stumptuous.com - once you've learned what Krista has to teach the rest is mostly details. Fascinating ones to be sure, but details.

Your story is a duplicate to mine.  I started at the beginning of the year watching what I eat staying below 1800 calories and working out 6 days a week. Treadmill, pilates, weight lifting and elliptical machine.  I wanted to lose 10 pounds over 3 months but I am at 6 weeks and after losing 3 pounds I've gained back 2.  Its very discouraging but I keep telling myself I feel really good and my clothes are feeling alittle bit looser.  The tape measure doesn't reflect any less but maybe it's been repositioned as muscle.  I don't know if I should eat more or less.  It doesn't help that I'm 48 and my body is working against me.  I am 5'3" 142 lbs

I was thinking about hiring a trainer but after reading about them I will want to get someone who knows what their doing. 

Now I feel better after venting. 

 

I'm with you too.  I jog/walk for 30 minutes, avg ~ 250 calories burned, weight train for about 10-15 minutes on my thighs, hips, arms; and row for a while every single day.  I can feel that I have more muscle*, but I don't look any more toned than before.

It may be that I'm not eating enough.  My burn meter usually says around 2000, and I usually eat 1000-1200 calories a day.  This is up from 800 cals I was eating a few weeks ago, but I wasn't exercising then either, so I think my calorie deficit is around the same.  I don't want to go into starvation mode, but i haven't lost an ounce in two weeks and I'm a little afraid I may be pushing my body too much.

*Maybe I should specify, my muscles ache more than usual so I'm more aware of them instead of building them up.

I'm a relatively new member here but have been using the site for calorie information for a couple of years.  I had a very rewarding experience 15 years ago of being in a weight loss study at a major medical teaching institution.  What people tell you here about taking body measurements is right on.  But I will add one thing.  Find out how many calories you are using to actually maintain your current weight status.  If you're not under the care of a good doctor, nutritionist or dietician, and if the online counters aren't working for you, log your regular calorie intake for 2-4 weeks before emabarking on the weightloss plan.  Then you know that you need to decrease your calorie intake by 500 calories a day to lose 1 pound of weight during a week's time.  1 pound of fat = 3500 calories.  After you know what you're current intake is THEN decrease the calories accordingly.
Take care,
Mary.