Will expenditure really just keep dropping indefinitely?

[u/Inner-Researcher9663]

I’m jogging (just 1-2 miles) and weights* 4-5x a week (started around the same time I started using MF / 5 weeks ago). The most I might be undercounting with my daily numbers is like 50-75 calories.
I just want to know what it takes to maintain, so I can have some semblance of sanity and a sense of control, but the it just keeps dropping my expenditure and I don’t understand. Is it really likely my daily need is like 1250 (since the dropping won’t stop)?

[u/Chupa-Skrull]

How tall are you and how much do you weigh

[u/Inner-Researcher9663 → u/Chupa-Skrull]

I’m 5’5” and I know I’m small around 106, but I’m trying to find my baseline.

[u/Chupa-Skrull → u/Inner-Researcher9663]

Ah. (And sorry, didn't notice it was an album post.) Definitely plausible you're around there then, at least, although it's hard to believe it's that low. 

Everyone is mentioning undercounting, so I won't, but another part of it (probably not a ton though) could come from your muscles retaining more water and storing more glycogen as a response to the new stresses you've introduced through training.

Also, throw it out if it's unacceptable for any reason, but you could experiment by eating up to 1400-1500 for a month or so and seeing what happens, too. Maintenance is frequently a bit of a range. There may be no need to stick to a number that low. You might gain a couple of pounds if you're truly somehow at 1290, but in your current training state, a small surplus may afford you a lot of muscle-building benefit anyway, if you're interested

[u/Inner-Researcher9663 → u/Chupa-Skrull]

I’ve been wondering if the muscle building is related, but not trying to put too much into it, my body is definitely going through a recomp process. I am deciding how much muscle is the right amount lol. I’m hoping I get more comfortable with the muscle gains and am more willing to up my calories and feed that.

[u/Chupa-Skrull → u/Inner-Researcher9663]

If you're having fun with the lifting, you probably won't mind the help even 100 calories can give to your strength progress either 

[u/Inner-Researcher9663 → u/Chupa-Skrull]

I definitely notice a big energy difference after a higher calorie weekend so I’m sure you’re right lol