Is anyone able to lose weight at 1800 net calories/day?

AbbeyDove

If so, would you be willing to tell me a little about yourself, maybe your workout schedule and your dietary approach? I've lost some inches, but not much in the way of pounds. I'm wondering if it's just a pipe dream, or if some folks are really able to do this. I just really hate being hungry.

Achrya

I eat a flat 1825 as my goal. I can't tell you what I really end up at though, because I don't count exercise calories.

shadow2soul

Inches lost = good....most likely fat loss yay

In my mind losing inches is better than losing weight. I personally don't net 1800 a day, but I'm also not very active. I do love food though, my reports for the last 90 days:

First graph is Total Calories consumed:



Even scarier is my Net Calories graph: (total - exercise)


And my weight loss (I weigh at random times):


Workouts : Completely random....Completed EA Sports Active 2.0 Cardio Kick Start in May I think, Dance Central 2 20-40 mins when I feel like it, was doing Stronglifts 5x5 (had to stop, husband sold bench, and is planning to get us a gym membership), Golds Gym Cardio Workout (boxing) 15-20 mins when I feel like it

Food wise: Moderation. Try to fit what I want into my calorie goals and make sure that I get my minimum fat and protein intake (aka MFP suggested "limit")

edit: When looking at the calories consumed above, keep in mind that I'm only 5'4.5". So it's not like I'm really tall or anything.

moolfson

It all really depends on your current weight and activity level. I'm losing about 1/lb a week at 3,100 net calories. However I'm 6'5" and 350 lbs. Strength training and cardio 4 days a week with a very active job.

I pretty much just eat untill I hit my net calorie limit while trying to avoid junk food. Sometimes I get stuck and I'll drop inches instead of lbs, but progress is progress. Looking at your diary it looks like you're doing great!

cleotherio

I eat 1600-1850 a day depending on how hungry I am. I generally don't add in or eat back exercise calories, unless I've done something super strenuous like an all-day hike. I lift heavy 3-4 days a week (Stronglifts 5x5 from March to July, just switched to Wendler 5/3/1). For "cardio", I do something active about 3 times a week. Either jogging, hiking, kayaking or a brisk walk. I may not be the best person to ask because I don't give a flip about weight. I've lost about 3 lbs since January, but about 2 sizes.

For food, I eat mostly whole, home cooked foods, but I eat cookies or icecream a few times a week and fast food or pizza occasionally. My macros are 30C-30F-40P, but I'm usually under on carbs and over on fat.

I'm 5'5, 148-150 lbs, about 23-25% BF; 42 year old.

I_Will_End_You

I eat an estimate of 1900-2100 ( I stopped logging awhile ago, so an estimate is all I can give) and lose regularly. I exercise about 30 minutes a day, a mix of weights and circuit training.

AbbeyDove

Thanks everyone for your replies! I was just getting a little discouraged. It's so good to know that it's at least possible. I keep trying to build strength, and likely more muscle is really the key here. I'd like to be leaner and stronger, but I just don't want to starve myself. I'm 5' 7," and about 162 lbs right now!

ladynocturne

Thanks everyone for your replies! I was just getting a little discouraged. It's so good to know that it's at least possible. I keep trying to build strength, and likely more muscle is really the key here. I'd like to be leaner and stronger, but I just don't want to starve myself. I'm 5' 7," and about 162 lbs right now!

I'm 5'7" and 166lbs right now, I maintain on just over 1800 net calories, I think you probably would too.

I'm eating 1450 calories + exercise calories. It's pretty easy most days, especially when I exercise.

If I burn 400 at the gym, I get to eat 1850 calories and still lose weight.

1850-400=1450 NET

Maybe you meant 1800 gross calories?

paprikas

I was eating at over 2000 per day and heavy lifting 3 times a week. measurements were slowly shrinking but weight basically stalled. Have now reduced to around 1800-1900 per day and seem to be getting out of the funk. definitely cant go below 1800, wouldn't be able to function or sustain this.

Melina48

I actually saw the most progress I ever had at 1800 calories, but I was much better at my exercise routine- I was doing 35-45 minutes of some kind of cardio (like spin or kickboxing at the gym) 3 days a week and then 2 days a week I was doing 30 minutes on the elliptical or outside running and then also a 30 minute strength routine. I was ON IT,! Had a desk job but had to walk about 20 minutes to and from the parking structure downtown.

Now I'm just kind of popping along with a not-so disciplined exercise and no real walking needs (I work at home, so I got really lazy since I don't have to "go" anywhere)... so my calories are like 1300 boo! I'm just working myself back up to that level of exercise because like you, I HATE being hungry! Totally worth the workout to be able to eat more substantial meals!

Keep it up!! If you're exercising, track your inches more than the scale- I rarely lose "weight" on the scale. Last time I felt awesome about myself I was at 145 but I had gone down like 5 inches when I was doing things right- also 5'7" ish and right now at 159.. so I feel ya!!

jnyunt

I've been eating 1800-1900 a day and 2 times a day work out. Weight liftingin the morning and 5K run in the evening. But I'm not losing weight anymore and not gaining either. My target weight to lose was 128lbs but stuck on 130lbs-131lbs for few months, so I decided to maintain current weight and hopefully loose few more pound again when I train for 10K in few weeks time.

Mia_RagazzaTosta

Do you mean 1800 GROSS calories? 1800 NET would be 1800 + exercise calories...

lauren3101

Yes, I do. I eat around 2250 cals a day, which means after exercise I net around 1800. It is certainly possible, but depends on your size and activity. I am 5"10, 247lb, and according to my fitbit, lightly active.

AbbeyDove

Hmm. I think I actually means something between 'Net' calories and 'Gross' calories. That is, I manually set my calories to 1800 per day, and I eat back 1/3 of my exercise calories, because I'm just lightly active. Thank you for your comments, everybody!

footiechick82

Yes... that's actually what I have my macros set as... I've been doing this for a while. Mind you, I'm more for toning then i am for losing anymore weight.

Maddalen101

Absolutely. You really have to be honest with yourself about the 1800.
it takes some doing, as you have to really plan your food, esp. if you're used to just eating whatever whenever.
But you do lose weight, at a pretty steady pace, without loss of energy. However, you don't lose fast. It's about a pound a week, give or take.
I also don't do a lot of exercise - asthma/COPD, and an extremely sedentary job makes it really difficult - but I do walk, and try to do whatever I can to move around.
if you have a sweet tooth, eat a LOT of fruit, esp, in the morning. Don't worry about the sugar metric.
And make sure to have enough protein.
hope this helps!

jdhosier

I am 6'4" at 320 lbs. I started at 382 lbs. At one point, I was down to 296 lbs.I tend to eat back my exercise calories. Some days I burn 800-900 calories doing cardio. On my strength training days, I burn maybe 300 calories. I have not been losing any weight in the last year because I have not been real strict on my food.

In my experience, you can lose weight on 1800 net calories per day.

Mexicanbigfoot

MFP started me right around 2100 calories/day and I'm down to a little over 1900/day. I have lost 42.8 pounds to date. I try to stay under everyday but realistically that does not always happen. I try to work out 4-5 days a week, 20-30 minutes of cardio and then weights. Again, this does not always happen. I usually eat back some of my exercise calories. I have lost a ton of inches but I didn't measure from day 1 so I can't give an exact measurements. As long as what you are doing is working, stick with it. If not, maybe you need to reduce your calories for your body or you need to increase depending on how much you are working out. And remember that success is not only measured by a number on the scale. Good luck with your journey! :drinker:

Mia_RagazzaTosta

Hmm. I think I actually means something between 'Net' calories and 'Gross' calories. That is, I manually set my calories to 1800 per day, and I eat back 1/3 of my exercise calories, because I'm just lightly active. Thank you for your comments, everybody!

According to your stats you should be eating 1800 (1834 according to Scooby) daily, regardless of exercise. It's already figured in. Eating 1800 plus 1/3 of your exercise calories will put you closer to maintenance and you won't lose hardly anything.

mryak750

you shout net 1800 cals and stop eating exercise calories back

Isakizza

I eat anywhere from 1800-2100, I NET about 1300-1600.

I usually workout about 4-5 days a week, mixing it up between cardio and lifting. This has been working for me so far. I love being able to lose and eat.



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gabijadc

I eat 2000 kcal every day. Just total 2000. It used to be 1600 but I was hungry, angry, binging, etc. Now I'm satisfied all the time and no more binging.

I'm doing on insanity, now on week 2, plus I go running sometimes

ClementineGeorg

I am 5'7'', started here at almost 95 kg (210 lbs) and with a 1 lbs/week goal I was eating almost 1900 calories a day (without counting calories earned by workout).

I have lost already 20 kg (44 lbs), but I don't use anymore the MFP goals, I have a custom goal of 1750 calories. Even I should eat less (accordingly to MFP) I actually maintained the 1 lbs/week. It's not liniar (and have never been)... some weeks I lose none, then I lose like a charm 2 lbs, but if I make an average, it's still 1 lbs/week.

I eat workout calories also (I don't consider cleaning and walking workouts, even if I do 2 hours walks sometimes... I just see them as part of a normal lifestyle). Maybe not all of them. And I'm only exercising 2 hours a week... I'm just not an exercise maniac.

Maybe my weight loss is slower than some may want it... but I'm just like that. It's my rythm and I can do it. Maybe the only thing that kept me going is the small pace. I don't have that much will as others... to eat very clean, to eat 1400-1600 calories a day, to workout 5-6 hours a week.
But no matter how slow I go... I'm doing it. I lost weight. I have changed my lifestyle. I could go on like this forever and have no regrets, cravings or binges... this is my way.

Morgaath

So, what is your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure)? http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

As long as your average calorie intake is below your TDEE you will lose weight. The calories to make your body function have to come from somewhere, and if it is not from the food you eat then it has to come from your body.

And just as you did not add all the weight on in a week, it is not going to come off in a week. It takes time.

erinsueburns

I started out around there and lost with absolutely no exercise. BUT you have to weigh EVERYTHING and be really accurate on how much you are consuming. But I was set to a half pound per week. Some weeks I lost more, some none, and some I went up because of water retention. But the trend over time was slow and sustainable weightloss.

But I'll agree with the person who said inch lost is better than weight loss. Those are results you can see, no one but you nd your doctor have to know your actual weight.

smithed812

I use a BodyMedia armband and using that, I usually net about 2000 per day. And I lose. I work a full-time job on my feet and run/workout regularly as well. Everybody's different!

AbbeyDove

Hi all,

I just thought I'd give an update. I lost a pound this week, and lost a pound last week, so I am seeing a consistent trend here. It seems that, right now anyway, I can lose weight at 1800 net a day. Again, I'm 5'7", I currently weigh 160.8, and my body fat is 28.9% this morning. So, this may change. But I'd like to eat the maximum I can, not the minimum. Thank you for your input!