How many calories is too little? (Prednisone and weight loss)

[thedreamthief]

Quick background:

5'7"
~220lbs
BF% 30+ (yikes!)

Basically been on a cutting diet .. and doing Ripptoes 3x5 with great results. Cardio about 2-3 times a week.

At my weight, activity level, etc. I should be about 2100 or so cals for cutting.

However, I have been on Prednisone (which, besides being catabolic, increases cortisol production, make you hang on to fat, and increases appetite, among a host of other wonderful side effects ) for the past 6 months and have to stay on it for another 6 months.

I have to drop my cals to about 1500-1600 a day in order to see any weight loss.

Is this too low? Obviously, I will see some muscle loss, but am I harming myself by going this low on calories? Should I say screw it and just eat my 2K+ in cals, and try to just maintain?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[al420]

WHat is the Predisone treating - seems like it is used for several diff things?

 

[thedreamthief]

WHat is the Predisone treating - seems like it is used for several diff things?

Prednisone is primarily used as an immunosuppressive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prednisone

In my case, I am taking Prednisone for Sarcoidosis. Basically, sarcoids are small inflammatory nodules that, in my case, are occurring in my lungs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcoidosis

 

[Kabeetz]

If you're undergoing treatment to suppress and/or protect your immune system.. i can't imagine that going down to maintenance calories is the right thing to do.

Sorry if your short term goals are in conflcit but it doesn't seem like now is the time to go on a serious cut.

 

[al420]

I agree completely.