[poeticmuz]

Hi, ladies.

I'm more of a lurker (MEGA-LURKER)....you ladies have great insights. So, I thought I would ask a question about the number of daily calories/carbs you're eating for weight loss.

I'm currently 248 (down from 308). But, need to tweak my diet as I've been stuck at weight loss (partly my fault), even though I've been working out pretty consistently.

I had a work deadline and fell off the low-carb wagon for a couple of weeks. I'm back on and wanted to see how many calories ladies with PCOS are eating. I've heard a lot of things about number of carbs versus calories and just wanted to get a little advice from people that are losing weight successfully.

here is a rundown:
Workout--3-5 days a week (running 3 days)
Carb goal--100 grams or less
Calories: My BMR said I should consume 1900 to lose 2 lbs a week (working out 3-5 days a week); 1254 calories on days I don't work out

I'd appreciate any advice! I know things work differently for different people. However, I'm new to the PCOS thing and wanted to see WHAT is working for others.

[kelly315]

My body just won't lose weight if I eat less than 1300-1350. I tend to vary my calorie intake throughout the week, eating 1500 one day and 1200 the next. I average 1300-1350 per day. This was the same when I lost last time- oddly enough, my perfect number changed very little from 290lbs to 160lbs.

[Rana]

When I'm losing steadily, I have to be at 1500 calories and the carbs to be less than 50% of my overall calories.

[poeticmuz]

Thanks ladies....do you eat more on workout days or keep it the same?

[kelly315]

I've always kept it pretty close to the same, sometimes 100 or so more.

[brillmama2]

I am 5'3 and I did the height weight age ideal weight and figure I should only have avout 1200 to maintain. I have a slow matabolism. If I was to eat 2000 or even 1800 I would gain weight.. I try to stay at or below 1000 calories and try to get the most out of thedm with rich colorful veggies and fruit and low cal protiens like fish and white chicken... everybody is different and even our own bodies can change based on our hormones and outside factors like how hot it is outside.. good luck!!!!

[astrophe]

Not exercising day -- around 1650 with 40% carb... so like 150 g carb total?

I'm still figuring out the exercise level because if I exercise I want to eat more, but I cannot eat so much more I get the carbs all crazy. I'll let you know there when I nail it.

My GP suggested 1500 cal and 100 g carb but that gave me headache and I used this

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

set at advanced with the formula that takes body fat% into account. I found that way closer to my reality than the harris benedict. My endoc tried to guide me with harris and that was a fail... I am too fat for that and at the PCOS/IR? I was simply maintaining on her suggestion.

So I'd suggest checking the calc out and trying them out for your age/height/etc stuff.

Part of my slow metabolism is the hypothyroid, but the other part if the fat. It's simply not as active as muscle tissue metabolism wise. So it matters to be able to include that in the estimate.

HTH!
A.

[SMSDREAMER2007]

I eat between 1200 and 1500 cals per day and about 35-40% carb I let myself max at 45% carbs. I am supposedly supposed to be able to lose on 1700 calories according to bmr but that just doesn't work for me if I eat anymore than 1500 cals I just store it :\

[poeticmuz]

Thanks, ladies.

I lost most on my weight eating between 1200-1300 calories and working out HARD (P90x). However, the calculators kept saying I needed to eat more. I'll be going back to 1200-1300 this week and see what happens.

[kkazz123]

I have PCOS....i currently eat around 1500 calories but i calorie cycle....so it varies between 1350-1850 on a daily basis. I try to have my higher calorie days on the days i have personal training. I try to get my carbs under 40%...not sure about the actual grams...but more so then focus on getting the carbs lower i just focus on getting more protein in which tends to lead to the carbs being lower

[nelie]

1500-1700 (usually closer to 1500) calories is what I eat for losing with my carbs being about 60-70% of my calories. I also exercise most days, focusing on weight lifting.

[Michelle2008]

Brillmana - really interested in your post. I am one inch shorter and i can only lose if I eat around or below 1200. I often have 1000 - 1100 per day - a bit more on gym days. I always read dire warnings that this is too low!! But it works for me.

[nelie]

Michelle, calorie estimates are just that. If you have more muscle, you can sometimes get away with more calories. Also with me, calorie quality does matter so I eat plenty of whole foods.

If you weigh over 200 lbs, generally there is no reason to go below 1200 calories but as you get closer to 100 lbs, you may need to do so.

[twinmommaplusone]

I still don't know my magic number! Hope you find what works for you!