160 lbs, moderate activity, how many calories?

megfranklinp

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to research this, but how many calories should I be losing to lose an average of 1.5-2 lbs a week? I feel like 1200 is way too low. Any ideas or thoughts?

Thanks

JustSomeEm

You might try to lose at a more modest rate. How tall are you and what is your goal weight? At 160 pounds, I can't imagine you have much to lose.

megfranklinp

Hi, I'm 5'5 and would like to be 140.

megfranklinp

davis_em wrote: »

You might try to lose at a more modest rate. How tall are you and what is your goal weight? At 160 pounds, I can't imagine you have much to lose.

5'5 and 140 lbs

megfranklinp

Well, that's my problem. I don't know how many calories I should eat... I heard that if you eat little you won't lose

arditarose

megfranklinp wrote: »

Well, that's my problem. I don't know how many calories I should eat... I heard that if you eat little you won't lose

That's not true. What did you set MFP to lose, 2 pounds per week? If so, just change it to one.

3dogsrunning

What do you mean by moderately active?

MFP doesn't include exercise in their activity levels. But if you are using a TDEE method, it would.

1200 is too low. I'm the same height and was losing at 1800 (with exercise included). I don't think I've gone below 1400 when using MFP.
Set your weight loss goal to no more than 1 lb a week.

thouser4241

I used another plan similar to MFP before and the lighter the weight the less caloric intake. It really didn't make sense to me. Per another website, To lose 1 lb. of fat each week, you must cut 500 calories each day through diet or exercise. A woman who usually consumes 2,300 calories per day and adds 100 calories worth of exercise each day would need to consume 1,900 calories to lose weight.

3dogsrunning

noway45 wrote: »

I used another plan similar to MFP before and the lighter the weight the less caloric intake. It really didn't make sense to me. Per another website, To lose 1 lb. of fat each week, you must cut 500 calories each day through diet or exercise. A woman who usually consumes 2,300 calories per day and adds 100 calories worth of exercise each day would need to consume 1,900 calories to lose weight.

I'm not sure what you mean.
Do you mean the less you weigh, the lower your calorie goal is? Because that is true in part. Smaller bodies require less energy to move throughout the day and during exercise.

I agree with your last part, if you happen to know how many calories you normally eat. Lots of people don't.

megfranklinp

Thank you so much everyone!

kimny72

Op with 20 lbs to lose you should set your goal to lose 1 lb per week, that will give you more calories. Also you can eat back some of your exercise calories too.

ginavanhookglp

megfranklinp wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to research this, but how many calories should I be losing to lose an average of 1.5-2 lbs a week? I feel like 1200 is way too low. Any ideas or thoughts?

Thanks

GaleHawkins

megfranklinp wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to research this, but how many calories should I be losing to lose an average of 1.5-2 lbs a week? I feel like 1200 is way too low. Any ideas or thoughts?

Thanks

We are all different for many reasons. If you feel 1200 is way too low there is a reason you feel that way.

In my case being at 200 pounds I can lose about 3 pounds a month on average eating 2600 calories a day.

That however includes doing maintenance for a while after each 10-15 pound loss so that would be more like 6 pounds a month if I did not stop and maintain on my way down. Often without stopping to maintain on our own the body will do it for us. We often call it hitting a plateau when all it may be is the body protecting its health.

ginavanhookglp

I'm trying too...so far just the diet of 1200+ (-) calories isn't working successfully. So if u find out anymore trick s our like to know. I try to work out n do a little...but guess it's not enough....

lseed87

1300-1600?

Afridi123

megfranklinp wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to research this, but how many calories should I be losing to lose an average of 1.5-2 lbs a week? I feel like 1200 is way too low. Any ideas or thoughts?

Thanks

Afridi123

Afridi123 wrote: »

megfranklinp wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to research this, but how many calories should I be losing to lose an average of 1.5-2 lbs a week? I feel like 1200 is way too low. Any ideas or thoughts?

Thanks

Afridi123

Add lots of veggies like zucchini broccoli and chia seeds , flaxseed which are filling and low in calories and rich in fibers. Increase your physical activities but try not to increase your calories. Munch on fruits all day and don't allow yourself to get very hungry.

3dogsrunning

Afridi123 wrote: »

Add lots of veggies like zucchini broccoli and chia seeds , flaxseed which are filling and low in calories and rich in fibers. Increase your physical activities but try not to increase your calories. Munch on fruits all day and don't allow yourself to get very hungry.

That's ridiculous. If 1200 is too low for her, adding physical activity and not increasing calories is even worse.

YelizavetaZ

check this out http://www.healthyweightforum.org/eng/calculators/calories-required/

I did send you a personalized message because I didn't scroll down to this yet, but these is pretty cool and it is something close to what my nutritionist uses.

nutmegoreo

YelizavetaZ wrote: »

check this out http://www.healthyweightforum.org/eng/calculators/calories-required/

I did send you a personalized message because I didn't scroll down to this yet, but these is pretty cool and it is something close to what my nutritionist uses.

OP hasn't been here for 3 years. I doubt she'll read this or the PM.

YelizavetaZ

Yeah realized that after I have sent it don't use these that often and wasn't paying much attention. We live and learn.
But I am glad I back tracked it because I was looking for that site again to save it in bookmarks.... Thanks anyways!