Hunger: am I underestimating activity level?

(Offy) #1

Hi,

I’ve been doing keto for around a month and as of last Friday have lost 7 pounds. I’ve got 5 more to go to reach my goal weight.
I’ve been using perfect keto macro calculator to work out how many calories I need to eat for loss and it’s given me around 1000, saying my maintenance is 1500. This seems quite low and I keep feeling hungry and eating typically around 1300- usually of keto friendly things but I have had some sugar cravings and higher days.
I’m wondering if I’ve miscalculated my activity level? I do at least 10 000 steps six days a week and on top of this I do 8-9 hours of cardio a week (4 hrs pilates , 2 hrs tennis 2-3 hrs cycling thrown in) I’ve calculated my activity level on perfect keto as light exercise more than four times a week- could this be where I’m going wrong and why I’m hungry? could this all count as higher intensity stuff?

(I’m 5 ft 4.5 and 103 pounds- I am an identical twin and very very small framed from birth which is why 98 pounds is an ideal weight for me)

(LeeAnn Brooks) #2

Yeah, that’s obscenely low. Stick a lot closer to the 1500, but most importantly, don’t go hungry. Eat to satiety. Up fats in place of proteins if your getting full with too few calories.

(Robert C) #3

Not sure if you have miscalculated your activity level but, what you are saying is very much in line with CICO thinking and could be just another low calorie (compared to activity level diet).

I think you should look hard at the amount of stress that exercise plan is putting on your body. You might lower that significantly and get a great hormonal response (and not have to work out so hard every single day) to keep the same goals you have now.

(Jade) #4

Your calories are too low. Not only for your activity level, but in general. I’m 5’5" and maybe slightly more active. I have a lean, muscular build and I’m eating 2200 calories for maintenance. Tennis burns a lot of calories, unless you’re referring to table tennis… lol
I would suggest aiming for closer to 1400 calories, eating fat to satiety. I’m no expert or anything, but this calorie goal seems a lot more realistic for someone of your size and activity level.

(charlie3) #5

Your estimated activity is probably low. I’m a 5’9 144 pound male age 69. My resting metabolic rate is calculated to be 1409 calories per day. So, for instance, yesterday I walked 5 miles (85 calories per mile = 425 calories) and did 30 minutes of cardio on an Airdyne which is calibrated and has a chart for calories.

1400 calories BMR + 267 calories cardio + 425 calories walking = 2357 calories burned. My activities were 34% of total calories.

I use Cronometer to kepp track of all this.