Question

heatherallen1020

I'm not understanding #1 calorie deficit. Can someone explain please?

malibu927

If you eat less calories you burn in a day, you're in a calorie deficit

queenliz99

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1296011/calorie-counting-101/p1

Christine_72

The calories I need to eat every day to maintain my weight is 1650 cals. The calories I have to eat everyday to lose weight is 1330.
So my daily deficit is 320 calories

socalkay

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/819055/setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets/p1

http://authoritynutrition.com/how-many-calories-per-day/

Lasmartchika

It's eating less than what you burn...

The amount of calories that mfp has given you after setting your goals (ie. lose 1Lb/week) is already at a deficit, so don't eat less than that.

And when you do exercise, eat some of those calories back, about 50-75% of them.

FitOldMomma

Basically:
3500 calories = one pound. If your body needs 2200 calories per day to stay at your current weight, in order to lose one pound in a week you would need to consume 500 fewer calories per day.


The thing is, MFP 'gives you' more calories to eat if you exercise. It sets your daily calorie goal according to your current weight and height, and your normal level of activity and by the amount of weight you want to lose each week.
.50 pound is 250 less per day.
1 pound is 500 less, 1.5 pounds is 750 less, etc.

Liftng4Lis

Remember, MFP already has the deficit built in.