Can cutting calories really make you lose weight?

mandeenicoleb

When I started MFP I wasn't working out. I mostly walked if anything, but I had sprained my ankle pretty badly. Either way I got the proof I needed that diet is the most important factor. I dropped weight right away and on a consistent basis.

Anens630

I joined in February of 2012 but never logged calories...I'm not a troll. Trust me. I thought in Feb. 12 that I could lose my baby weight from baby number 2, but I was lazy and 5 months later, I got pregnant with baby number 3. I am on a mommy board and see trolls all the time. I have one toddler currently trying to color on her bigger sister so I have to go--but sorry if you were looking for some excitement on a health and fitness board--not gonna be from me!

Anens630

I am hypoglycemic and didn't eat enough protein today. While driving kids to chiropractor my sugars dropped drastically and i started feeling awful. I had to grab 5 peanut M&Ms. I logged this in and it said its 55 calories!! My plum yesterday was about the same amount of calories. i can't believe that. I felt great after eating the plum, and after eating the candy my sugars stabilized enough to get home and eat my lunch (plain chicken breast--blah).

Also, no, not BF--so all clear!

I worked out 3x/week and ate healthy (but didn't count calories) in June--and i didn't lose a single pound!!! I don't understand. Now I'm angry at exercising because I think it made me bigger...my friends tell me it could have built muscle instead of losing weight but I don't want to build muscle atm--I want to look slimmer first. I'm going at this all wrong.

Mustang_Susie

<<<<Throwback Thursday pic...this was me after my first 10 lbs lost...I'm now down to 180ish with counting calories. Considering calories are a unit of energy and excess energy (calories) beyond what is necessary to operate your machine (body) get stored as fat...of course counting calories works.

I lost my first 20 Lbs before ever lifting a finger in exercise. MFP gives you a calorie goal that includes a deficit from maintenance calories that is net of any exercise...meaning no exercise is required and MFP doesn't believe you're going to do the exercise you say you're going to do. I just ate to may goal and lost weight.

I started working out because I wanted to eat more initially...yes...you're supposed to eat back exercise calories with MFP...as I noted before, your calorie goal already has a substantial deficit built in that is net of exercise. Also, exercise is an extremely inefficient way of incorporating a calorie deficit...it's much more efficient to incorporate it into your diet plan...just as MFP does for you.

No way is that you wolfman! :noway:


Wow!! :flowerforyou:

deksgrl

Thanks everyone for replying!

I don't know how to copy other member's questions---I still need to create a profile.

But I am 5'7, 166 lbs, 3 months PP and have a 3 and 2 year old (along with 3 month old). My body is a hot mess from having back to back pregnancies. My stomach muscles literally tore apart this third baby because I gave birth to a small turkey (born at 11 lbs.). I am 28 but feel like I seriously could be 60.

So, my husband and I are done with our family and I am serious about getting back to my pre-pre-pre pregnancy weight, which was 135. MFP said for me to get there and only giving myself 3 days of 60 min cardio, that I need to consume only 1200 calories a day.

I have never dieted before so this is def a new road for me.

I appreciate everyone's responses--its nice to get feedback. Sometimes I feel isolated with my self image--my husband is a runner and in amazing shape. He gets better with age and being a father, and my hips and feet get wider---how fair, right?

I bet you said "I want to lose 2 pounds per week" right? That is probably too aggressive a cut for you, try setting it for 1 pound a week and see if it gives you more to eat. And yes, also eat back exercise calories.

awall1984

I questioned this also. My first 9 days, I lost 6lbs. I still cant believe the progress Im making and I started June 27th! It works as long as you stick to it.

So far, so good!

LeanneGoingThin

Cutting calories is the only thing that can make you lose weight ('real' weight that is, not water weight).

Cherry_T

Obviously it works. You have to have all your other nutrients in check or there could be problems and cutting too hard can cause your metabolism to stall, but it works!

LoraF83

...I. Err.

I mean that's how it works. More calories than your body needs = weight gain. Slightly less than your body needs = Weight loss.

Calories in<Calories out.

This.

But make sure you are getting enough calories - especially if you are breastfeeding.