What’s everyone’s TDEE

[missanabolic]

Really curious about how tdee changed for other women while on gear and after.
Before my first cycle I was maintaining at 2800 (5’9 around 155 lbs). I started at 5mg of var and was so damn hungry. It was crazy. I’d eat every night till satiety without tracking. But it had to be around 3300 some days 3500. But weirdest thing to me is that I kept leaning out. My weight barely increased by end of 12 week cycle but I was way leaner. I ever ended up tracking my food after that to see where I’m at. Partly because all those calories mildly freaked me out! Lol! I had no idea I’d be able to eat that much without gaining fat.
What are your experiences ladies??

 

[Hazelnut]

Hi, I'm now 30 days in to my first Var cycle and I'm not hungry at all.
Some days I really have to force myself to eat more and usually I end up with choclate and nuts to get some more calories in.
I'm not tracking calories, just roughly calculating my protein, so I can't give a specific number.
Nevertheless I assume I do eat enough, cause I havent gotten (remarkably) leaner by now

 

[missanabolic]

Well I envy you on not being hungry while on var!
For me hunger stayed even after my cycle was over. But I guess it’s not tragic since I did end up leaner and stronger.
I wanted to add that I did track most of what I ate. I’d track whole day to make sure I hit protein target. And track even dinner up until I reach 2800 or 2900. After that I’d still eat but didn’t want to track because I felt bad. Like I’m “ruining” my efforts by overeating when in fact my body used all those calories well

 

[Hazelnut]

I totally undestand what you mean when you felt bad!
I'd love to eat more but I'm kinda afraid of getting fat and ruining the hard work. It's so dumb, I know most of the calories would be used for muscle building purposes and not strored as fat right away. Still my brain doesn't let me indulge in "exessive" amount of food for a couple of days in a row.
That's def something I need to work on, so make more progress.

What was your calorie intake before? Did you see a huge change in your physique when increasing the calories?

 

[missanabolic]

I was maintaining at 2800 before var. I wasn’t looking for huge change in physique, I’m super cautious with my lifting. I wanted to build my legs and glutes more, which I achieved plus leaner stomach at the same time. And I never went over 5 mg of var for first cycle. It’s like my body really liked it.
But I get what you mean about being cautious with eating more. However I don’t think this was same case for me. (I thought this amount of calories for sure would end in mostly fat gain, I’m good with slower bulk)

I went through proper bulks before gear. I couldn’t recommend those more to any women. But done slowly, upping calories by 50 or max 100 every week and seeing how your body responds. It’s another time I ended up leaner by eating more. Because I was properly fueled and was able to lift heavier.

edit: sorry this is so lengthy I’m just struggling to explain myself

 

[Sampei]

I know men that maintenance on those calories and they are not small. Impressive for a woman to be at those maintenance calories.

 

[missanabolic]

I guess, but I’m thinking that a lot more women could be closer to this if they gave constant dieting a break and tried slow bulk.