Hi guys,

I've been using myfitnesspal for about 4 weeks now, and wow I'm learning a lot! I started on the plan and it gave me the basic 1200 calories a day on the standard macros, this along with 3 x 1 hour cardio workouts I managed to drop 3.3kg and a few centirmeters form waist etc. However after a lot of reading of the forums and other sites I've discovered I'm in the (and always have been) "skinny fat" bracket, I'm 5ft 7" and weigh 52.8kg. About 2 weeks ago I started with weights rather than cardio and upped my plan to the lose 1/2 a pound week option which upped my calories to 1460, I also customed my macros to 40c-30f-30p. I'm still loosing weight albeit a lot less but not shifting any fat according to measurements.

After checking out scoobys calorie calculator, it says I should be having 1597 calories a day. I've set it to 5 meals a day as have never been a big eater, I've planned my meals to the 40-30-30 macros and it looks like something I can cope with as far as amount of food.

So here's my questions:-

Does this sound about right or should I be eating even more?? As far as my weight training goes its been a bit sporadic as I'm learning and have no trainer but I was thinking of going down the 1 day pulling, 1 day pushing and 1 day leg approach, is this a good plan?? I started squatting with dumbbells last week and it took all week before I could do them again and I'm very sore still, so can only really do legs once a week until I'm strong enough. I can't even lift the 45lb barbell of the storage shelf so am working with dumbbells to build strength, should I stay away from weight machines or just use free weights??

Thanks in advance for reading this and any help/advice you can offer.

L

Unless you're highly active that calorie limit isn't right. Yes stick to free weights, not machines.

I had a choice, I could enter 1-3 hrs a week light excersise or 3-5 hrs a week moderate.

I entered in 3-5 hrs a week moderate excersise as I do 3 hrs a week weights at the gym and try and do at least 1-2 hrs a week of cardio : treadmill (usually HIIT) punchbag etc

What should I go with?