u/stillaflickerofhope

Hi, I’ve been weightlifting for about 1.5 years now, last year I was at about 121 lbs at 5’2.5 (lost a bit too much weight due to a breakup lol) and maintained about 124-126 from May-December 2025, but I gained unintentionally from about Jan-Beginning of April to 135-136 lbs due to some medication I was on that I’m now off of. Currently sitting at 130lbs (so I’ve lost abt 5lbs within the last 3-4 weeks)

Good thing is that I was really on my game with eating a lot of protein, and progressive overload, so I gained muscle, but also quite a bit of fat (based on my gyms SECA scan I’m at around 23.5% BF with 49.8 lbs of Skeletal Muscle mass)

I’m currently trying to cut down to the weight I used to maintain, abt 124-126, while preserving that muscle I gained and hopefully turning this weight gain into a unexpected blessing in hopes of looking more lean and lowering my body fat percentage. I may want to go lower than that to about 115 or 110 (though I think 110 may be a bit too skinny and is something I’d probably work for long term after getting back to my base weight of 124) but I will up calories after I cut for about 4 more weeks.

I go to the gym about 3-4 days a week, I hit arms and abs about twice a week, and I work in one leg day (I also run 3-6 miles about 2-3 times a week so I try not to overwork my legs)

But anyways I’m currently eating about 150g of protein, 35 g of fat, and 49 g of carbs so I’m sitting at around 1100 cals a day. My TDEE is about 1900 so it’s an 800 calorie cut, and at my height I still function pretty well at this (as I have in the past). My SECA scan said my TDEE is 2327 but lowk I don’t believe that because usually if I eat that much daily I gain weight not maintain at my activity level (and 1900 is usually more than enough for me given I’m eating Whole Foods etc)

But just curious on others opinions about it. Whether you think I should up protein or maybe tips on how to maintain muscle. I guess I’m just trying to dot my I’s and cross my T’s. Thanks!