Why do my calorie requirements seem so high for my size?

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

I’m 5’6 ~144lbs 22 y.o currently and have been trending down in body weight at 3000 calories a day when I train and don’t work, and 3500-3600 on the day that I train and work 9 hours of manual labor, and about 3100-3250 on the day that I work manual labor for 5 hours and don’t train at all.

(so that’s a training schedule of 6 days a week, and working ~12-13 hours a week since I’m in college now meaning I spend a good chunk of the day sitting down). I fit cardio in there twice a week at moderate to high intensity (Running one day for 20-30 minutes at a moderately difficult pace, and the other day trying to run a 5k either faster before or at a time somewhat close to what I’ve ran before)

I’ve been cutting weight (started 148 and down to 143 at my lowest, today about 144). I’m not particularly complaining since I do have a big hunger drive, but I’m just wondering if this could be hinting at an underlying condition, or maybe I am just maintaining a high level of activity? Either way, I am interested to understand more about it because I will see people a lot bigger than talking about eating quite a lot less.

2

I’d guess your maintenance Calories are closer to ~ 2900 Cal/d and your average intake over 2-3 weeks is less than that. I do not think you’re averaging 3000+ Cal/day and losing fat mass, though fluid shifts are certainly possible.

I do not think you have an underlying condition without any other signs or symptoms and only 4 pounds of weight loss. If you’re particularly worried about something, a call to your physician may be helpful.

3

Thanks for the reply

That makes sense. It doesn’t seem like I’ve lost any fat looking at it again, but more so just my water. I’ve been feeling a bit more sore and tired these past several days, and it almost appears to look like I’ve lost weight and gained fat, but I’m led to believe this is probably just water loss resulting in this flatter appearance, especially since I’m looking a bit more “full” now that I’ve had a day off from work and have been hydrating heavily