SparkPoints: (10,888)
Fitness Minutes: (7,898)
Posts: 2,812
4/1/11 1:49 P

Lasher,

Upping the calories might be the way to go! If you're always hungry or feeling tired you're probably not getting the calories you need.

SparkPoints: (95,466)
Fitness Minutes: (117,859)
Posts: 18,743
4/1/11 1:46 P

Yeah. My test is only $35. Well worth it.

Pounds lost: 23.0

0 8.75 17.5 26.25

35

SparkPoints: (10,888)
Fitness Minutes: (7,898)
Posts: 2,812
4/1/11 1:43 P

I scheduled an appointment just now for the Bod Pod! It's an air displacement test and after some research it's supposed to be one of the best methods, second only to water displacement. First appt os $39 and each additional is $19. So it's affordable on a monthly basis.

They'll give me all the info for the BMR and TDEE tomorrow on a print out. This way I KNOW what my ranges are going to be. This way I will know if I need to stay within the Moderate Fitness TDEE range or bump it up to vigorous. Calorie Cycling PLUS knowing my body's personal numbers I think is the way to go.

Thanks for the help. Now... just to tell hubby about my additional expense. Figures this happens during the month we are trying to pinch pennies. Perhaps a kiss and a smile will smooth it over?

SparkPoints: (73,641)
Fitness Minutes: (83,263)
Posts: 7,821
4/1/11 1:37 P

I've noticed that too about Spark.

Just now I checked on freedieting.com calculator and it said to lose fat I should be eating more calories than I do now. I guess that might be one of the reasons there is no change whatsoever in my measurements, my BF% or my weight in the last month. What do you think? On top of RMR I burn about 350-400 cal/day on exercise. Maybe that's why I 'm tired all the time lately... hmm... I guess I'll bring it up some...

Edited by: LASHERTHECAT at: 4/1/2011 (13:39)

current weight: 145.0

153 150.5 148 145.5

143

SparkPoints: (95,466)
Fitness Minutes: (117,859)
Posts: 18,743
4/1/11 12:48 P

Spark's are too low for me also.
I have been getting Bioimpedence tests done at my Naturopath's office. It's an ultrasonic device they hook you up to that tells you your lean body masss, skeletal weight, water composition, body fat percentage and your basal metabolic rate (or daily basal caloric expenditure). Mine has been shifting between 1650 and 1700. That's BASAL, not RESTING.
Spark has mine figured out at much less, plus Spark also adds on calories for basic living, like getting up out of bed, daily activities, etc. and they have mine set at 1759. They have added I think it is approximately 300 calories. So, there calculation is actually about 300 calories lower than my naturopath's calculations.

I am also into weight lifting, and I use the figures from my doc to figure out what I need to eat. I won't go below 1600 anymore, and I don't seem to lose any weight that way anyhow. I seem to do best around 1600-1800. I burn around 500 calories minumum a day doing exercise. Doesn't matter if it's weights or cardio. I just did 55 minutes of strength training and burned 468 calories...

Spark seems to like the 1200-1550 calories range, which is a good range if you are a couch potato. lol

Edited by: FIT_ARTIST at: 4/1/2011 (13:45)

Pounds lost: 23.0

0 8.75 17.5 26.25

35

SparkPoints: (10,888)
Fitness Minutes: (7,898)
Posts: 2,812
4/1/11 12:19 P

Sp's ranges were always too low for me. I have used the principles outlined in BFFM going for a 20-30% deficit with at least 2 high or maintenance level days (Calorie cycling). I eat mostly clean, no fast food, very little processed, and only will dine out at 1 restaurant (organic-farmer's market Bistro) with the occasional *non-clean* outing for my Husband's favorite place.

Despite earlier comments I have gone back to calorie counting this week. I want to hit some target goals before our trip and in order to do so, I need to be a little more informed on the numbers. My workouts have improved over the month and I am getting stronger with the passing weeks. I consider myself to be working out in the Moderate Range although 3 of my 4-5 workouts are vigorous in nature.

I am curious as to how you calculate your calorie ranges. Again, I won't go by SP, they just under estimate my needs too drastically even when I set my goal to lose 2 pounds per month. It's insane how low they set my range even with the fitness minutes I get in.

Some of the members here are into lifting and fat loss methods more than weight loss, that's what I'm looking for as well. I don't care about my weight, just the BF%. So this as well changes the game and partially why SP doesn't cut it.