First timer questions

monikagiesbrecht

Hey! So I've used my fitness pal before but I still need help with some really generic things.

1) if I'm linked up with my fitbit to I record exercise in here even though it would've already counted my steps as exercise?

2) how does it choose your calorie goal? After I put my weight and height in it gave me one bUT why would it choose that?

3) after the end of the day, do you wanna still be at your calorie goal for intake and have quite a few remaining or do you want to use the extra calories from exercise for food?

Any of these would be lovely if you could please answer!

theabsentmindednurse

Hello.

I will attempt to answer two of the questions.
I am unfamiliar with Fitbit so will leave that to someone else.

Regard
2: MFP will offer these calories as a guide only. Based on your measurements. As it will when you input your goal weight. It is a generalised goal.
You are able to input manually a different daily Caloric intake. Please consider not to go lower than 1200 calories a day. This is not a healthy Caloric intake.

3: Regards the additional calories from exercise, that is personal choice. There are arguments for both sides. If your body is feeling genuine hunger, than having a nutritious protein snack is an option. If you are not hungry, than no one is forcing you to consume the additional calories.

You are the best person to know what your body needs. The longer you walk this path, the better you will be at understanding your body.
Feeling, well, healthy and confident is all part of this weight loss journey.

All the best.

kommodevaran

PP has good points, I just want to elaborate: MFP doesn't use your goal weight for anything, it will just give you a warning if you set it too low. You will get a calorie goal based on age, sex, height, weight, activity level and desired weight loss rate. A healthy weight loss rate is around 1% of your body weight per week, a bit more if you are morbidly obese, a bit less if you're normal weight and just want to lose some vanity punds.

Do NOT go below 1200 calories (1500 for males). That is the minimum set for health and safety, and you can't lose weight faster just by eating too little. Ok, you will lose more, but that will not be fat, it will be mucles, hair, and mind. Don't do that.

Logging intake correcty is crucial to make calorie counting work. You need a food scale, and use it for everything you eat and drink, and use correct database entries, and hit your calorie goal consistently.

tinkerbellang83