Calorie question

baby_bokchoy

I haven't lost any weight this week (and I haven't gained any either), but I keep eating less than my calorie goal and then sort of eating just for the sake of it even though I'm not really hungry. And even though I'm under my calorie goal I still feel guilty because I haven't lost weight? I feel like I'm half-consciously eating fewer calories to try and lose weight this week, but isn't that a bad idea? Should I eat at goal just because I'm supposed to? Thanks for any insight!

janejellyroll

Yes, you should eat at goal. Your MFP goal has a deficit built into it, a deficit that is based on your goals, starting weight, and reported activity level. If you create too large of a deficit, you'll impact your energy level. Being at too large of a deficit long-term can also damage your health.

There will be some weeks where you don't lose. That's okay. It doesn't mean you're necessarily doing anything wrong.

tincanonastring

itsrowanbitch wrote: »

I haven't lost any weight this week (and I haven't gained any either), but I keep eating less than my calorie goal and then sort of eating just for the sake of it even though I'm not really hungry. And even though I'm under my calorie goal I still feel guilty because I haven't lost weight? I feel like I'm half-consciously eating fewer calories to try and lose weight this week, but isn't that a bad idea? Should I eat at goal just because I'm supposed to? Thanks for any insight!

You're not eating "for the sake of it," but rather to meet your body's energy needs.

Your calorie goal is an estimate based on a number of variables (sex, height, weight, age...) and your weight management goal (gain, maintain, or lose). If you're set up to lose weight, you can eat to that goal and, in general, lose at the approximate rate you used to calculate your goal, e.g. 1lb per week loss. If you eat less than that calorie goal, you will lose weight faster. Faster does not necessarily mean better.