How does this app calc calorie levels?

shyhall

Just wondered as every time I input my profile details, it tells me I should aim for
1200 a day (sedatory activity level). Or 1330 calories a day (lightly active).

I knew I would not keep to such a restrictive diet so I've reset it to 1500 calories a day and since I started
11 days ago I've managed to lose 5.5lb.

But every time I finish recording meals for the day, I get a depressing message that in 5 weeks time I can expect to
lose just 2 or 3 lbs if I continue at the same rate, but I've already lost more than that is less than two weeks.

I just wondered, because maybe people are failing if the app is setting the calorie intake too low for them?

RodaRose

Ignore it. If you do not complete/ close out your diet, you will not see it.
Congrats on your five pound loss!!!

tinkerbellang83

The app calculates it based on your height, weight, gender, age, activity level and the weight loss rate you've chosen.

Your Height, Weight, Age & Gender determine your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) your activity level is then used to find your approximate Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) which is the amount that it is expected for your body to burn in the course of normal activity without purposeful exercise.

The weight loss rate that you've chosen then determines the calorie deficit you need to lose the weight (3500 calories is equivalent to 1lb of fat).

• 0.5lb per week would be 1750 calorie deficit (250 calories per day)
• 1lb per week would be 3500 calorie deficit (500 calories per day)
• 1.5lb per week would be 5250 calorie deficit (750 calories per day)
• 2lb per week would be 7000 calorie deficit (1000 calories per day)

This is deducted from your NEAT to give you your calorie goal, it will not go lower than 1200 calories for females and 1500 for males, regardless of your stats due to minimum nutritional guidelines.

If it's giving you 1200 calories and you think you will struggle on this, this is most likely because you've set an agressive weight loss rate (2lb per week).

You will lose more in your first couple of weeks due to losing water weight, however you need to adjust your expectations, you are very unlikely to keep losing at that rate and losing 2-3lb a month is a pretty good rate for healthy weight loss.

shyhall

I set it at 1lb loss a week, on the light activity setting.
I'm 48 so maybe that's why it assumes I have a low metabolism.
I tend to have a slightly above average metabolism (I had Graves' disease about 10 years ago, while im better now I tend to
lean towards average to above average on the thyroid function scale). I'm probably above average at the moment.

I didn't realise there was no need to complete the diary each day, sounds good to me.

lemurcat12

shyhall wrote: »

I set it at 1lb loss a week, on the light activity setting.
I'm 48 so maybe that's why it assumes I have a low metabolism.

MFP's sedentary is super sedentary. I think most people are at least lightly active.

Do you exercise at all? Even if not, you may be more active than you realize. One thing people often don't realize is that the MFP goal assumes no exercise and increases if you log exercise.

Anyway, great that it is working for you at a more comfortable calorie level!

cwolfman13

Statistical averages for your stats and their own algorithm...all of these calculators use slightly different algorithms. It's important to note that any of these calculators, including this one are only meant to be reasonably good starting points...you make adjustments and can customize as per your actual results.

shyhall

lemurcat12 wrote: »

shyhall wrote: »

I set it at 1lb loss a week, on the light activity setting.
I'm 48 so maybe that's why it assumes I have a low metabolism.

MFP's sedentary is super sedentary. I think most people are at least lightly active.

Do you exercise at all? Even if not, you may be more active than you realize. One thing people often don't realize is that the MFP goal assumes no exercise and increases if you log exercise.

Anyway, great that it is working for you at a more comfortable calorie level!

I work part time doing office work sat down all day. But then there's housework, looking after elderly aunt, gardening.
So for example I did 4 hours gardening yesterday weeding, cutting hedge, digging.
Then last week 1.5 hour walking around town looking for a present for someone.
Then about an hours walk in total on my 3 working days walking between bus stop, work, home etc.
It seemed to fit in with the lightly active setting.

tinkerbellang83

shyhall wrote: »

lemurcat12 wrote: »

shyhall wrote: »

I set it at 1lb loss a week, on the light activity setting.
I'm 48 so maybe that's why it assumes I have a low metabolism.

MFP's sedentary is super sedentary. I think most people are at least lightly active.

Do you exercise at all? Even if not, you may be more active than you realize. One thing people often don't realize is that the MFP goal assumes no exercise and increases if you log exercise.

Anyway, great that it is working for you at a more comfortable calorie level!

I work part time doing office work sat down all day. But then there's housework, looking after elderly aunt, gardening.
So for example I did 4 hours gardening yesterday weeding, cutting hedge, digging.
Then last week 1.5 hour walking around town looking for a present for someone.
Then about an hours walk in total on my 3 working days walking between bus stop, work, home etc.
It seemed to fit in with the lightly active setting.

That will depend on whether you are logging your walking as exercise or incorporating it as part of your normal day. Worth noting "Lightly active" would also assume you're that level of activity every day, not just the 3 working days.