I have been working on my weightloss goals for going on 2 years now. I track my meals and activity in an app called Lose It. Love the app and the supportive community there. I lost 50 pounds but gained back 10, despite religious logging on the app. The Mifflen BMR formula is the cornerstone of the Lose It app, but the goal page allows for edits. This is because Lose It knows that one formula does not fit all.
After, knocking down a plateau with Carb Cycling, I knew there was more to what I needed than just CICO. I am just at that point.
You all know the buzz about The Biggest Loser contestant and the debates out there regarding "metobolic damage." Honestly I searched metabolic damage and only found sites that wanted to sell me "fixes" and no real scientific research on it. I knew the answer was in macro but I couldn't really get a concrete scientific answer. Carb cycling showed me that.
In my research, I discovered IIFYM.com That is If It Fits Your Macros. There is a calculator that I had trouble believing. I was eating 700 calories too little according to IIFYM. So I bit the bullet and sent the guy some money for a more detailed analysis of my nutritional needs. That came back with an offer to make a meal plan for me and my macro breakdown. The breakdown explained why I needed what I needed in a way that made sense to me.
I am not taking him up on the meal plan but I have implemented the macro break down. I dropped another 3 pounds, EATING 700 more calories/day.
I do believe that CICO is the ideal way to start weight loss. I also believe that it will only take some of us so far, before we need a more precise plan.
MMMMM....time for an afternoon snack!