Calorie deficit?

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BigMamaLynsey
BigMamaLynsey Posts: 390 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, I'm just abit confused about having a calorie deficit diet, I've looked for answers on the Internet. On my fitness pal, for my weight and height I have to eat around 1600 cals in order to lose weight, ive been keeping this up for the last 2 weeks and lost 5lbs so far, I get around 1200+ calories in me including exercise, is that a calorie deficit?

I burn around 170+ calories per day including whatever else I burn during the day by just moving, breathing etc , I seem to be eating more than I burn? And it says I need to burn more than I eat to lose weight, I don't get it. Am I getting it all wrong? Should I keep up with what I'm doing? I've dieted in past and lost a stone here or there but just a little exercise.

Replies

  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Your calorie goal on MFP includes your deficit, so yes.
  • BigMamaLynsey
    BigMamaLynsey Posts: 390 Member
    Ohh ok thanks, all I kept seeing was eat less, burn more and I'm sitting here thinking "HUH?" I have more calories eating than I burn.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    LynseyJane90 wrote: »
    Ohh ok thanks, all I kept seeing was eat less, burn more and I'm sitting here thinking "HUH?" I have more calories eating than I burn.

    When people talk about eating more than they burn, you have to take into account all of the calories you burn just keeping your body alive and all of the calories you burn doing your day to day activities. MFP has taken those into account for you and given you a goal that's at a deficit so you can lose weight.
  • BigMamaLynsey
    BigMamaLynsey Posts: 390 Member
    Ohhh I didn't know that! Thanks for that, I must burn more than I think I am, I wonder how much we would burn in general just for living a day daily. I'm glad I know now, I was so confused.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    LynseyJane90 wrote: »
    Ohhh I didn't know that! Thanks for that, I must burn more than I think I am, I wonder how much we would burn in general just for living a day daily. I'm glad I know now, I was so confused.

    You can get an estimate of how much you burn daily if you want. Just google "TDEE calculator" (I'm on my phone or I'd just link you to one)

    Your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) is the number of calories you burn daily. It's also the number of calories you would eat to maintain your current weight. Anything less than that number will put you in a calorie deficit and you should lose weight.

    It's important to note that the online calculators will give you a very basic estimate. You may need to play around a little to find your actual maintenance number.

  • BigMamaLynsey
    BigMamaLynsey Posts: 390 Member
    @diannethegeek thanks so much, I looked it up, that's explains it so much better, now I understand! Thanks!! :)
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