Come on, mfp. 1200?
katandwaves
Posts: 67 Member
Why does myfitnesspal suggest 1,200 calories a day? I am 5'8, about 190 pounds. I work full time so I'm at a desk all day. I'm doing about 3+ days a week of spinning/elliptical.
Any suggestions on what my calorie goal should be?
Any suggestions on what my calorie goal should be?
3
Replies
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Select to lose 1.5 or 1lb per week and see what calorie goal you get.
Do you add your exercise calories? If yes, you should eat a portion (1/3-1/2) of those back.3 -
Choose an appropriate goal.
You probably chose a 2 pound a week loss. With the amount you have to lose, 1 lb/wk would be a good place to start, and will up your calories.
MFP does not include exercise in your goal. Once you exercise, you are meant to add that to your diary. Then you are given extra calories to eat to fuel your body. Oftentimes, people start with eating only 50-75% to account for numbers that are often inflated. You should do this for 4-6 weeks and see how your weightless goes before lowering or raising the number you eat back. If your logging is not accurate to begin with, you may want to start with eating back just 50%.20 -
Huh? I've been eating a 1200 calorie goal for 5 months now (down 32 lbs). I think it's pretty reasonable.38
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It isn't for everyone. I have a fairly active job, so 1200 would not work for me. Generally those who are smaller and older are ideal for that amount.
Well. I'm not small, nor am I old, and it is working just fine. I workout 6x/week for an hour each time. Personally, I just think one needs to get used to feeling mildly hungry most of the time. *shrugs*
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You set the parameters...mfp is just a calculator.12
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It's a negotiating position. Counter with 1600.73
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Huh? I've been eating a 1200 calorie goal for 5 months now (down 32 lbs). I think it's pretty reasonable.
I lasted a whole 3 days on 1200 calories before i lost the plot :noway:
OP change your goal from 2lbs a week down 1-1.5lbs. I'm also 5'8, 147lbs and am losing eating 1600 calories, it's very slow but the scale is still going down.27 -
Christine_72 wrote: »Huh? I've been eating a 1200 calorie goal for 5 months now (down 32 lbs). I think it's pretty reasonable.
I lasted a whole 3 days on 1200 calories before i lost the plot :noway:
OP change your goal from 2lbs a week down 1-1.5lbs. I'm also 5'8, 147lbs and am losing eating 1600 calories, it's very slow but the scale is still going down.
Same here. I can do without the hangriness and the dizzy spells I experienced, thanks. Plus, it just wasn't necessary to try to make that work when I could eat more and still lose weight.
Agree with some of the other posters..at 190mlbs, you should be aiming for 1lb a week. The 2 lbs is for people with 75+ pounds to lose, and why MFP is giving you the 1200, more than likely.11 -
It isn't for everyone. I have a fairly active job, so 1200 would not work for me. Generally those who are smaller and older are ideal for that amount.
Well. I'm not small, nor am I old, and it is working just fine. I workout 6x/week for an hour each time. Personally, I just think one needs to get used to feeling mildly hungry most of the time. *shrugs*
I am medium height and older than you and I lost on 1460.
I did not feel mildly hungry most of the time nor do I think that is at all neccesary.
Whether 1200 is appropriate for any given person depends on their stats - generally it is only appropriate for older, smaller, not so active women.
And it is 1200 net - ie more than 1200 by the time you eat back at least some exercise calories.
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Using the stats you mentioned, your daily intake for losing one pound a week should be closer to 1500 calories a day for a sedentary lifestyle. If it's showing 1200, chances are you either picked 1.5 or 2 pounds a week.3
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at 190lbs and being tall you can start off with a smaller deficit and lose at a slower rate eating more - say around 2000 calories (just throwing that number out there as an example). Then as your weight reduces you'll find it easier to eat lower calories.
I'm 5ft 2 and when I was in my losing phase I ate 1600-1800 calories to lose 1/2lb a week (I hadn't much to lose) although I was pretty active.
You don't have to half starve yourself, just take the whole process slower and you'll get fabulous results without feeling deprived.
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I'm pretty sure it only gives that if you're trying to lose 2lbs a week, go for 1lb.3
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And I am actually having trouble getting in at least 1200 calories a day and I use to think I ate a lot lol.4
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I'm 5'8 weigh 148 lb I am on 1400 to lose 1 lb a week after gaining on holidays. I usually maintain 140lbs ish at 1850. But the days I exercise, I add those calories in. I think dropping more than a llb a week starts to mess with your metabolism.2
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MFP did not conjure the calories out of thin air. It picks the calories based on the goal you chose. If you pick 1 pound a week you would get a more reasonable goal.10
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I looked again and it was set at 1.5 pounds loss/week for 1,200. When I changed it to 1 pound/week it suggests 1,450. I know I have the ability to select my own calorie goal as well as eat back some of the calories through exercise. I just know that I struggle with sustaining on the low end. I think 1,500 is reasonable so I'll see how that goes.
I tried the clean eating thing and lasted 3 weeks then I lost it and went on a major binge and am now the heaviest I've ever been. I was 140 consistently up until a few years ago.
Thanks, ladies for all of your responses and support!
- Katrina10 -
katandwaves wrote: »I looked again and it was set at 1.5 pounds loss/week for 1,200. When I changed it to 1 pound/week it suggests 1,450. I know I have the ability to select my own calorie goal as well as eat back some of the calories through exercise. I just know that I struggle with sustaining on the low end. I think 1,500 is reasonable so I'll see how that goes.
I tried the clean eating thing and lasted 3 weeks then I lost it and went on a major binge and am now the heaviest I've ever been. I was 140 consistently up until a few years ago.
Thanks, ladies for all of your responses and support!
- Katrina
1500 definately is more doable and sustainable. Its not necessary to eat 'clean', its all about being in calorie deficit and taking in less cals than we burn. All the best 11 -
It isn't for everyone. I have a fairly active job, so 1200 would not work for me. Generally those who are smaller and older are ideal for that amount.
Well. I'm not small, nor am I old, and it is working just fine. I workout 6x/week for an hour each time. Personally, I just think one needs to get used to feeling mildly hungry most of the time. *shrugs*
If you are really eating 1200 you are losing muscle and fat...no thanks.
I prefer to keep my muscle and lose at a slower rate. *shrugs*
and there is no reason to feel even "mildly hungry" most of the time...it's like you are punishing yourself for gaining weight. SMH
OP your goal should be to eat as much food as possible and still lose a reasonable amount of weight....that way you know you aren't losing as much muscle as fat....which in the long run is not a good thing.
When I start here I was at the same weight...I chose 1lb a week...got the same calorie goal as you and it was great...I ate back exercise calories, was never hungry, and I have lost 50+ lbs and have kept most of my muscle.37 -
It isn't for everyone. I have a fairly active job, so 1200 would not work for me. Generally those who are smaller and older are ideal for that amount.
Well. I'm not small, nor am I old, and it is working just fine. I workout 6x/week for an hour each time. Personally, I just think one needs to get used to feeling mildly hungry most of the time. *shrugs*
If you are really eating 1200 you are losing muscle and fat...no thanks.
I prefer to keep my muscle and lose at a slower rate. *shrugs*
and there is no reason to feel even "mildly hungry" most of the time...it's like you are punishing yourself for gaining weight. SMH
OP your goal should be to eat as much food as possible and still lose a reasonable amount of weight....that way you know you aren't losing as much muscle as fat....which in the long run is not a good thing.
When I start here I was at the same weight...I chose 1lb a week...got the same calorie goal as you and it was great...I ate back exercise calories, was never hungry, and I have lost 50+ lbs and have kept most of my muscle.
^^ great reply @SezxyStef
and I am nodding head vigorously in agreement 15 -
katandwaves wrote: »I looked again and it was set at 1.5 pounds loss/week for 1,200. When I changed it to 1 pound/week it suggests 1,450. I know I have the ability to select my own calorie goal as well as eat back some of the calories through exercise. I just know that I struggle with sustaining on the low end. I think 1,500 is reasonable so I'll see how that goes.
I tried the clean eating thing and lasted 3 weeks then I lost it and went on a major binge and am now the heaviest I've ever been. I was 140 consistently up until a few years ago.
Thanks, ladies for all of your responses and support!
- Katrina
I'm 5'2 and 41 and started here with a goal to lose 25 lbs. Because of my height, even a selection of 1 lb/week with a sedentary activity level gave me a goal of 1200 cals. I quickly realized that wasn't enough for me, I was always over my cals (even with eating back exercise cals) but was still losing. I started reading on these forums about how 1200 really isn't appropriate for that many people, really only extremely petite, older, and very sedentary.
I raised my goal first to 1400, then to 1500, still eating back exercise cals and still losing. I lost about the weight I set out to lose eating between 1600-1800 cals. I'm now maintaining a 30 lb loss with a TDEE of 2200 cals.
If I were you I would try the 1450 cals but make sure you eat back some exercise cals. Also focus on logging accuracy using a food scale ideally. Give it 6-8 weeks and track your progress, then adjust from there.
7 -
RunRutheeRun wrote: »It isn't for everyone. I have a fairly active job, so 1200 would not work for me. Generally those who are smaller and older are ideal for that amount.
Well. I'm not small, nor am I old, and it is working just fine. I workout 6x/week for an hour each time. Personally, I just think one needs to get used to feeling mildly hungry most of the time. *shrugs*
If you are really eating 1200 you are losing muscle and fat...no thanks.
I prefer to keep my muscle and lose at a slower rate. *shrugs*
and there is no reason to feel even "mildly hungry" most of the time...it's like you are punishing yourself for gaining weight. SMH
OP your goal should be to eat as much food as possible and still lose a reasonable amount of weight....that way you know you aren't losing as much muscle as fat....which in the long run is not a good thing.
When I start here I was at the same weight...I chose 1lb a week...got the same calorie goal as you and it was great...I ate back exercise calories, was never hungry, and I have lost 50+ lbs and have kept most of my muscle.
^^ great reply @SezxyStef
and I am nodding head vigorously in agreement
Samesies...
Im always intrigued as to why people defend the 1200 cal goal? If it is possible to eat more and still lose, why do people not want to try? Why would you want to be "mildly hungry" all the time. That sounds miserable.19 -
You're supposed to eat back exercise calories on top of that by the way.3
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WinoGelato wrote: »RunRutheeRun wrote: »It isn't for everyone. I have a fairly active job, so 1200 would not work for me. Generally those who are smaller and older are ideal for that amount.
Well. I'm not small, nor am I old, and it is working just fine. I workout 6x/week for an hour each time. Personally, I just think one needs to get used to feeling mildly hungry most of the time. *shrugs*
If you are really eating 1200 you are losing muscle and fat...no thanks.
I prefer to keep my muscle and lose at a slower rate. *shrugs*
and there is no reason to feel even "mildly hungry" most of the time...it's like you are punishing yourself for gaining weight. SMH
OP your goal should be to eat as much food as possible and still lose a reasonable amount of weight....that way you know you aren't losing as much muscle as fat....which in the long run is not a good thing.
When I start here I was at the same weight...I chose 1lb a week...got the same calorie goal as you and it was great...I ate back exercise calories, was never hungry, and I have lost 50+ lbs and have kept most of my muscle.
^^ great reply @SezxyStef
and I am nodding head vigorously in agreement
Samesies...
Im always intrigued as to why people defend the 1200 cal goal? If it is possible to eat more and still lose, why do people not want to try? Why would you want to be "mildly hungry" all the time. That sounds miserable.
So much this!2 -
WinoGelato wrote: »RunRutheeRun wrote: »It isn't for everyone. I have a fairly active job, so 1200 would not work for me. Generally those who are smaller and older are ideal for that amount.
Well. I'm not small, nor am I old, and it is working just fine. I workout 6x/week for an hour each time. Personally, I just think one needs to get used to feeling mildly hungry most of the time. *shrugs*
If you are really eating 1200 you are losing muscle and fat...no thanks.
I prefer to keep my muscle and lose at a slower rate. *shrugs*
and there is no reason to feel even "mildly hungry" most of the time...it's like you are punishing yourself for gaining weight. SMH
OP your goal should be to eat as much food as possible and still lose a reasonable amount of weight....that way you know you aren't losing as much muscle as fat....which in the long run is not a good thing.
When I start here I was at the same weight...I chose 1lb a week...got the same calorie goal as you and it was great...I ate back exercise calories, was never hungry, and I have lost 50+ lbs and have kept most of my muscle.
^^ great reply @SezxyStef
and I am nodding head vigorously in agreement
Samesies...
Im always intrigued as to why people defend the 1200 cal goal? If it is possible to eat more and still lose, why do people not want to try? Why would you want to be "mildly hungry" all the time. That sounds miserable.
I think sometimes there is a feeling of accomplishment or a tendency towards perfectionism. Sometimes it's driven by impatience. And sometimes there is a penitential element.
Not saying it is *only* driven by these things, but those are things that I've observed and tendencies I have sometimes had to access myself for.5 -
WinoGelato wrote: »RunRutheeRun wrote: »It isn't for everyone. I have a fairly active job, so 1200 would not work for me. Generally those who are smaller and older are ideal for that amount.
Well. I'm not small, nor am I old, and it is working just fine. I workout 6x/week for an hour each time. Personally, I just think one needs to get used to feeling mildly hungry most of the time. *shrugs*
If you are really eating 1200 you are losing muscle and fat...no thanks.
I prefer to keep my muscle and lose at a slower rate. *shrugs*
and there is no reason to feel even "mildly hungry" most of the time...it's like you are punishing yourself for gaining weight. SMH
OP your goal should be to eat as much food as possible and still lose a reasonable amount of weight....that way you know you aren't losing as much muscle as fat....which in the long run is not a good thing.
When I start here I was at the same weight...I chose 1lb a week...got the same calorie goal as you and it was great...I ate back exercise calories, was never hungry, and I have lost 50+ lbs and have kept most of my muscle.
^^ great reply @SezxyStef
and I am nodding head vigorously in agreement
Samesies...
Im always intrigued as to why people defend the 1200 cal goal? If it is possible to eat more and still lose, why do people not want to try? Why would you want to be "mildly hungry" all the time. That sounds miserable.
I don't get it either, unless it's someone who has to be on 1200 out of necessity. What's the point in reaching your goal weight a few months earlier if they're going to feel longer and harder. Personally, I have been going a few years (which included long maintenance breaks) and I could go for a few more with minimal discomfort, while one month on 1200 calories felt longer than the 3 years I spent around here and it was stressful. My average base weight loss calories range between 1400 and 1800 (I'm obese) plus exercise calories, depending on my appetite and mood.3 -
I do 1200 a day. Very active here. It doesn't bother me. But for a 190 pound person 1200 doesn't sound right if you are trying to maintain. To lose weight on a sedentary setting that does sound about right4
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It isn't for everyone. I have a fairly active job, so 1200 would not work for me. Generally those who are smaller and older are ideal for that amount.
Well. I'm not small, nor am I old, and it is working just fine. I workout 6x/week for an hour each time. Personally, I just think one needs to get used to feeling mildly hungry most of the time. *shrugs*
If you are really eating 1200 you are losing muscle and fat...no thanks.
I prefer to keep my muscle and lose at a slower rate. *shrugs*
and there is no reason to feel even "mildly hungry" most of the time...it's like you are punishing yourself for gaining weight. SMH
OP your goal should be to eat as much food as possible and still lose a reasonable amount of weight....that way you know you aren't losing as much muscle as fat....which in the long run is not a good thing.
When I start here I was at the same weight...I chose 1lb a week...got the same calorie goal as you and it was great...I ate back exercise calories, was never hungry, and I have lost 50+ lbs and have kept most of my muscle.
I completely agree with this. I'm 5'3" and 110 pounds. I'm small, but not old, and I'm highly active. Regardless, I still eat way more than 1200 calories when it comes to gross, not net, calories. I would be a mess on such a small amount. I'm trying to maintain my weight, but I'm still losing at 1800 to 2200 calories per day. 1200 gross calories per day is quite unnecessary for most people or more easily managed by older people or people with a higher body fat percentage.4 -
It isn't for everyone. I have a fairly active job, so 1200 would not work for me. Generally those who are smaller and older are ideal for that amount.
Well. I'm not small, nor am I old, and it is working just fine. I workout 6x/week for an hour each time. Personally, I just think one needs to get used to feeling mildly hungry most of the time. *shrugs*
I could technically choose 1200 calories, but I don't because I want fat loss....not fat+muscle loss *shrugs*4 -
MFP allows you to set goal where you want. I change mine depending on whats going on. Lots of people lose eating more than 1200. I wish I were one of them!0
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