How many calories..

Deadberri

I'm not sure how many calories I should probably be eating. I work in a fast food restaurant on my feet, running around for 9+ hours a day. I also bike to work. I would like to continue loosing weight; so, is 1200 too much , not enough? What do you recommend? On my days off that I stay at home I imagine I definitely don't need as much calories as when working.

tinkerbellang83

Set your activity level correctly and set a sustainable level of loss don't just choose the quickest (2lb per week) because this isn't sustainable for those who have a smaller amount to lose. If you have these set properly chances are you'll get a higher calorie allowance than 1200.

I would suggest if you're on your feet at work a lot you choose active as your level and log your cycles seperately as they are purposeful exercise.

cityruss

Use MFP as designed and eat those calories.

Deadberri

Thank you both

SusanMFindlay

1200 is not remotely enough. You didn't give your stats, so I can't say what your number should be, but if you have access to a pedometer or step counting app:

Sedentary: <5000 steps/day
Lightly Active: 5000-9999 steps/day
Active: 10,000-14,999 steps/day
Very Active: more than 15,000 steps/day

Otherwise, start with "active" and a goal that is no more aggressive than 1 pound/week (so that if you're underestimating your activity level you have a safety margin to protect against eating too little). Then adjust up or down after a few weeks based on actual weight loss.

cookiemonster_ashley

I'm also a fast food worked on my feet several hours a day. I have mine set to lightly active. My settings allow me 1900 calories.

lynn_glenmont

cookiemonster_ashley wrote: »

I'm also a fast food worked on my feet several hours a day. I have mine set to lightly active. My settings allow me 1900 calories.

Yes, but how much do you weigh? How much does OP weigh? Are you both the same gender? Roughly the same age? Roughly the same height? How far is OP biking to work? OP says "9+ hours a day," and you say "several hours a day."

Having fast food work in common is not enough to assume the same calorie level is appropriate for both of you.

OP, if you want helpful advice beyond "eat more than 1200" (which I definitely agree with), you'll have to provide a little more information.

Best of luck.

Deadberri

Makes a lot of sense. I think I found the right caloric goal for myself without going overboard or under. I don't think I could eat 1900 calories anymore. When eating I notice the subtle signals that I'm full before I overeat. Some days seem to be more active than others so I try to adjust accordingly. I do make sure I eat when hungry and I'll snack a bit later if I get slightly hungry. Otherwise, seems to be doing fine. Thank you all for the advice.

Deadberri

cookiemonster_ashley wrote: »

I'm also a fast food worked on my feet several hours a day. I have mine set to lightly active. My settings allow me 1900 calories.

I have my settings on active because I don't usually casually walk around while at work. I'm walking pretty quickly (occasionally jogging to the back of the store if I'm in a rush), lifting stuff, moving stuff, etc. With the ovens on in the building (building is pretty small) it emanates so much heat as well. I will probably set my setting back to slightly active because I've not been able to work out for a while. I feel like if I'm hungry enough to eat, I will work my way to the 1200 calories. But I'm only usually up for 10 hours at a time (more often than not). So I know I don't need that many calories, but I trust what my body tells me. Since I know what it was like when I overate, I now know my limits. I hope that helps. If any other questions, feel free to message me. Best of luck