Calorie deficit

sandeegriffin

How do I obtain a calorie deficit? MFP allows me 1200 cal a day and I burn roughly 420 with walking and arc trainer at PF. Do I either(1)consume less cal than 420 OR(2)consume less than 1200 cal but more than 420? For me it's impossible to burn more than 1200 cal in a day. I am wanting to lose weight. Anyone have any ideas?

laurenebargar

The way MFP is set up is that you enter your stats, it gives you a calorie amount this is already your deficit. This is before exercise, so you add in your exercise and you eat those (or a partial amount) of those calories back, to make sure you are netting your goal (for you 1,200)

Ready2Rock206

In your example you would eat 1620 calories and still be at a deficit. Eat your 1200 plus at least a portion of your exercise calories. You burn a lot of calories just by being alive - more than 1200. The number MFP gave already factored in your deficit.

Seffell

You burn the majority of your calories by existing (google BMR for more info). Those 420 are on top of it. So you need to eat 1200+420=1620 to lose at the rate you chose in the goals setup.

TavistockToad

You dont need to 'make' a deficit, it is already included in your calorie goal.