Choosing calories level

daisygirl2017
daisygirl2017 Posts: 107 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Right now I'm 199 and I want to get to 150 but I'm afraid I'm burning out my metabolism by eating 1200 but afraid I'd I add more calories I'll go back up again any thoughts?

Replies

  • Jules_farmgirl
    Jules_farmgirl Posts: 225 Member
    What does MFP set you at once you put in your stats? I was set at 1200 and I decided to up mine to 1300 as I felt I needed a little more each day. Depending on activity level you can keep it at 1200 and eat some of your exercise calories if needed
  • seska422
    seska422 Posts: 3,217 Member
    You only gain weight in a calorie surplus.

    Let's say that you are losing an average of one pound per week at 1200 calories. One pound per week is a daily deficit of 500 calories. Moving up to 1400 calories per day would still leave you with a 300 calorie per day deficit.
  • Talan79
    Talan79 Posts: 782 Member
    1200 isn't a magic number everyone should do by. You need to figure out your BMR and activity level and base your intake on what would be a deficit for you.
    I like this calculator. Ignore the BMI goal. Enter your weight loss goal and other info.

    http://www.weightloss-calculator.net/
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited January 2017
    daisygirl2017 wrote: »
    Right now I'm 199 and I want to get to 150 but I'm afraid I'm burning out my metabolism by eating 1200 but afraid I'd I add more calories I'll go back up again any thoughts?

    1200 before exercise is the lowest default minimum (before exercise) for My Fitness Pal. You got assigned 1200 because you are a) very petite b) elderly or c) you chose an aggressive weekly weight loss goal.

    If you plan on regular exercise you will earn more calories. If 1200 is something that is too hard to stay consistent with....then decrease your weekly goal a bit. Whatever number you choose.....consistency is key.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Jules_farmgirl wrote: »
    What does MFP set you at once you put in your stats? I was set at 1200 and I decided to up mine to 1300 as I felt I needed a little more each day. Depending on activity level you can keep it at 1200 and eat some of your exercise calories if needed

    The reason MFP gives you exercise calories is because large deficits make it harder for your body to support existing lean muscle mass. A big reason we strength train while losing is to help keep more lean muscle.....our workouts need the fuel to back that up.
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