Taking a turn

Alright folks. I know i've been pestering the crap out of you poor folks about my 2 month plateau. (Set point?)

I plugged in my stats using the Phord calculator.

5'5, 185, 18, i put myself at "as little more active" as i've cut back on exercise to 30 minutes, 4 times a week, including strength training mondays and fridays. (Burning about 4-500 every gym visit) Dont know if that would put my as moderate, or what i have chosen, since im only going about 4 times a week. So here are my results:

BMR=1622 :: RMR=1946

Your customized recommendation:
EAT 1622 calories :: BURN 2336 calories :: LOSE 1.43 lb per week

Not quite sure if i would be burning 2336 a day, but its worth a try. 1622 might be too low.

How does this plan sound?

You're more along the lines of "moderately active", but I still feel that number is low.  1622 is way too low to be eating.

I like the phord calculator, but the more of these calculators I've seen the more I've noticed how off they can be.  It's all a calculation, doesn't take enough into account.

I see, i figure even with my cut back on exercise, i still should be consuming about 1800 a day, for some reason, thats number has worked best for me in the past. You think im moderately active? Even if i just exercise every other day for about 30-40 mins?

Yes, because you're also a student so you're keeping yourself somewhat busy during the day.  I only exercise 4 - 5 days a week for 30 minutes a day, and my numbers are more along the lines of Moderate to Very Active.  If you want to stick with 1800 for awhile, do it, but don't bump down.  If anything, bump up!

If you dont mind me asking, what are your stats, calorie consumption, rate of loss per week, etc? For some reason i have it in my head that we have similar stats.

I'm 23, 5'2", 165.6 lbs.  I burn around 2500 calories a day without exercise when I work.  I consume anywhere from 1600 up, depending on the day.  If I sit around and literally do nothing, I'll eat around 1600.  If I work, I'll eat around 1800.  If I work AND work out, usually around 2000.  I also let myself have a splurge day once a week or so where I don't count my calories.  Sometimes I'll go over on those days, sometimes I apparently make good decisions and don't. :)

I'm averaging about a pound and a half of weight loss per week.  Some weeks it's more, some weeks it's less.  Usually if I have a week where I lose quite a bit more, I'll gain a bit (not all I lost, but just a bit) the following week, and vice versa.  Here's some recent examples:

10-12  170.6
10-18  167.6
10-26  168
11-2  165.6

I was initially at a much lower calorie intake, and was having a lot of issues, including hitting very early plateaus, fatique, headaches, etc.  Once I upped it to an appropriate level, I felt a lot better, and have much more confidence that once I lose all my weight I'll be able to maintain the loss.

Wow, what do you do at work that burns so much energy? O_O

You seem to be burning a LOT, considering your height and weight.

In that case, i think i should follow your example. Zig Zagging has worked for me in the past as well.

On my rest days when i just go to school and come home and lay around, (walking 24 mins to and from bus stops, in addition walking up and down stairs to and from classes. 20 mins total? Some of my classes are up 4 flights :O and at home i just sit on the computer), i think i'll comsume 1800.

On sundays where i do nothing but sit on the computer and lay in my bed all day, i think i'll eat 1600 as well.

And then 2000 on days i work out. I think i'll try that for a couple weeks. Im stealing your weightloss ideas! Lol, though i weigh a bit more, and are taller. lol

Actually, I have an office job.  Though I walk to and from my car, and work 10 hours a day.  But still.  Most people do not realize just how much they burn by doing day-to-day activities.

Definitely give it a try!  It's working very very well for me so far.  And, like I've said in the past, if you need any advice or help, feel free to ask.  I was getting upset in that one thread where people were telling you to eat around 1400 or LESS.  Argh. :)

Haha, i know one needs to cut back cals for weightloss, but never to extrimities. And asking an 18 year old (who lives in europe, more daily movement, perhaps?) that weighs 185 pounds AND exercises, to eat <1400 a day is well, extreme. Given that my BMR is like. 1650.

Thanks for your help :) If you have msn, feel free to add me, my adress is on my profile.

And 10 hours a day? Yikes. Im over here dreading 5 hour long school days. lol