how many calories per day

Question
I am working out 4 to 5 times per week. I burn about 400 to 500
calories doing cardio, and strength training, I have lost inches and
body fat but not weight. I am eating healthy food but the weight is
VERY slow to come off, not even a pound a week. Most days I eat
about 1200 calories a day. Am I eating too little to loose weight?
Thanks for your time
Sue

Answer
You're burning a lot MORE than 400-500 calories with your workouts. At the gym you may see those numbers on the little calculators, but you continue to burn calories at a higher rate for some time afterward; possibly on an ongoing basis.
Since you've noticed inches lost, you're developing and toning muscle, which takes up less space, BUT weighs more than fatty tissue. So, while you don't see the scale change much, it's because muscle weight is replacing the fat weight lost. It's not unusual for some people to GAIN weight while dropping a couple sizes in clothes when they work out a lot.
For the activity you're doing, you should have a higher calorie intake, at least up to 1,400. What's most important is that they come from the right sources.

Are you getting whole grains? As easy as starting your day with Cheerios, Life, Toasted Oat Flakes or ANY packet of oatmeal. Be sure to read the ingredient list (not just the front of the box) and see that 'whole grain' appear in the first three words. Ideally, it should be non-fat and less than 200 calories per cup of cereal alone.
 Are you getting FIVE servings of fruit? That's as simple as two bananas and an apple a day; or a banana, peach, apple. So many easy ways.
 Even 'fat' is necessary, just the right kind. Not from dairy or meat (however, fish is ideal!).

Give my site a look for how to eat right and more about diet/health.  No sales. No signing in. No promotions and no ulterior motives.

www.GetTheReal.info

I think you're doing a great job already!

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