Why don't people use MFP to set their calorie goals?
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amusedmonkey wrote: »i think a bit of suspicion is a good thing when it comes to mfp recommendations. When I first started I was 250 and 5'6 and because i wanted to lose at a rate of 2 pounds a week it set me at 1200, which was really way to low for me. After reading forums and such in about 3 weeks I upped to 1400 and continued to lose at 2 pounds a week. The default for 1200 for 2 pounds regardless of size seems reckless.
When I first joined it gave me 15xx calories to lose 2 pounds (I think it was something like 1580), but I agree with you that it almost is a "default" of some sorts because not as many have enough fat to manage losing that much. I wish MFP eliminated the higher deficit options for those who can't achieve it eating over 1200 calories. For example, once weight and height are entered, a 150 lb woman would not be given the option to choose 2 pounds and would have to select between 0.5 and 1 pounds. This would eliminate a lot of the frustration people feel when they think MFP gave them 1200 calories to lose 2 pounds, and here they are only losing 1.
Maybe it would be worth posting this onto the suggestions board. It might be useful.12 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »i think a bit of suspicion is a good thing when it comes to mfp recommendations. When I first started I was 250 and 5'6 and because i wanted to lose at a rate of 2 pounds a week it set me at 1200, which was really way to low for me. After reading forums and such in about 3 weeks I upped to 1400 and continued to lose at 2 pounds a week. The default for 1200 for 2 pounds regardless of size seems reckless.
When I first joined it gave me 15xx calories to lose 2 pounds (I think it was something like 1580), but I agree with you that it almost is a "default" of some sorts because not as many have enough fat to manage losing that much. I wish MFP eliminated the higher deficit options for those who can't achieve it eating over 1200 calories. For example, once weight and height are entered, a 150 lb woman would not be given the option to choose 2 pounds and would have to select between 0.5 and 1 pounds. This would eliminate a lot of the frustration people feel when they think MFP gave them 1200 calories to lose 2 pounds, and here they are only losing 1.
Maybe it would be worth posting this onto the suggestions board. It might be useful.
It's not as If suggestions are often heeded, or that it is not something that is not known or would come as a surprise.
It would be easy for MFP to say that your chosen rate of loss requires a > than 20 to 25% deficit, or eating less than 1200 Cal, therefore it is not an option for you based on your cureent stats and chosen activity level.
And people would go away to the other app, the one that would promise a 2lb a week loss.
Has anyone read the mfp promoted blog stories about mfp and weight loss?
How many of the stories talk about 2lbs a week (or more!!!), and how many talk about 8-10 lbs in a year?7 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »AllSpiceNice wrote: »Not trying to be snarky - but everyday I see multiple posts about "how do I determine my calorie goal? Someone help me figure out how much to eat / exercise to meet my goals?"
I find these questions confusing. When I first stumbled upon MFP, it was obvious that I could put in my stats and MFP would help calculate & track this. Yet so many on the Forums seem completely unaware of this.
Maybe someone can help me understand - why don't you take advantage of the MFP calorie goal and tracking? Does MFP need to draw more attention to those features so people know they exist? Do you see the tools but not trust their accuracy? Or is there another reason people come to the MFP site and decline to use the tools they offer?
Simply because our bodies are different, there's no calculator in the world that can pinpoint exactly how much is your maintenance. In my case, my metabolism is so high that most calculators get my maintenance wrong. I burn so much calories and all I do is lift weights + no cardio. The only way to estimate your maintenance is with trial and error. You try a certain number of calories for 3 weeks and see the results, change the calories if it's not being met, rinse and repeat until you get the desired results.
While that may be the case, what makes asking other members for a starting point any more accurate than letting MFP calculate it?
It doesn't which is why I state that the only way to find out is by trial and error. You could use the mfp calculator or your own number as a starting point, it doesn't really matter. As long as you adjust if your objectives are not met after 2-3 weeks.
Yes, I completely agree. It's just something newbies need not worry about for a while. If entering stats and pressing a button is complicated enough, worrying about calculating adjustments would be an overkill for someone who is already overwhelmed.4 -
This. Or someone asking you how many calories they've burned3
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MegaMooseEsq wrote: »I suspect a lot of people are hoping to find some secret formula that will lead to peak weight loss. I think a lot of people also don't trust the MFP estimates because they assume the only way to lose weight is through extremely low calorie diets, so they think MFP is wrong when they get 2000/day or something moderate like that.
This. MFP gave me 2700 calories and I'm still questioning it. BUt this week I'm going to try and hit those calories. I keep trying to hit macros and it's not working for me. So I'm going to focus on hitting those calories and see if it makes a difference in 30 days.5 -
SimplyAdia wrote: »MegaMooseEsq wrote: »I suspect a lot of people are hoping to find some secret formula that will lead to peak weight loss. I think a lot of people also don't trust the MFP estimates because they assume the only way to lose weight is through extremely low calorie diets, so they think MFP is wrong when they get 2000/day or something moderate like that.
This. MFP gave me 2700 calories and I'm still questioning it. BUt this week I'm going to try and hit those calories. I keep trying to hit macros and it's not working for me. So I'm going to focus on hitting those calories and see if it makes a difference in 30 days.
I'm curious, is this after exercise adjustment or do you have a very active job?3 -
SimplyAdia wrote: »MegaMooseEsq wrote: »I suspect a lot of people are hoping to find some secret formula that will lead to peak weight loss. I think a lot of people also don't trust the MFP estimates because they assume the only way to lose weight is through extremely low calorie diets, so they think MFP is wrong when they get 2000/day or something moderate like that.
This. MFP gave me 2700 calories and I'm still questioning it. BUt this week I'm going to try and hit those calories. I keep trying to hit macros and it's not working for me. So I'm going to focus on hitting those calories and see if it makes a difference in 30 days.
But...you took the time to go enter your stats and get a starting calorie goal. You're tracking and monitoring, and will adjust in 30 days as needed. That's taking ownership of the process! :-)0 -
i think a bit of suspicion is a good thing when it comes to mfp recommendations. When I first started I was 250 and 5'6 and because i wanted to lose at a rate of 2 pounds a week it set me at 1200, which was really way to low for me. After reading forums and such in about 3 weeks I upped to 1400 and continued to lose at 2 pounds a week. The default for 1200 for 2 pounds regardless of size seems reckless.
Can confirm that it's not the default. I'm set to lose 2lbs/week at 1,310 calories a day. About 40 pounds ago it was closer to 1,500.6 -
SimplyAdia wrote: »MegaMooseEsq wrote: »I suspect a lot of people are hoping to find some secret formula that will lead to peak weight loss. I think a lot of people also don't trust the MFP estimates because they assume the only way to lose weight is through extremely low calorie diets, so they think MFP is wrong when they get 2000/day or something moderate like that.
This. MFP gave me 2700 calories and I'm still questioning it. BUt this week I'm going to try and hit those calories. I keep trying to hit macros and it's not working for me. So I'm going to focus on hitting those calories and see if it makes a difference in 30 days.
MFP gave you 2700 calories to lose how much a week? 1 pound?
I wish this was true for me as well.
What I do to always be on the safe side, I add extra calories to all my meals. I weigh everything and then I add 10 % to that. That leave me room for potential errors.6 -
I don't use MFP tools anymore as I prefer the TDEE - xx% method for calculating my calorie goal.
However, I can understand why it can be confusing for newbies. Firstly, there is the "net" calorie intake which requires a consideration of counting calories burned. I don't believe this method is well known amongst the general population, who would have simply used a calorie intake number e.g. 1200/day when going on a diet regardless of how much they exercised.
Secondly, as already stated, MFP by default does not go below 1200 net cals so for example, I keyed in my stats and selected the option for losing 2 lbs/week. I got 1200 and a loss of ONLY 3 lbs from now till Oct 31st! But... I wanted to lose 2 lbs/week... It can cause confusion and may even be de-motivating for some if they are looking at losing more.
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I assume that people who do that stubble across the forum and don't realize that there is an app associated with it.0
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TimothyFish wrote: »I assume that people who do that stubble across the forum and don't realize that there is an app associated with it.
I thought you are required to create an account in order to post a question on the Forums...let me know if I'm wrong about that.4 -
I think that people just starting out probably need to set a lower goal than what MFP calculates. Especially when you first start counting, you're going to suck at it. You will underestimate everything, you will forget to log stuff, etc. You will suck at it.
After you're used to tracking, and get better at it, you can raise your calories up to what MFP calculates.2 -
AllSpiceNice wrote: »TimothyFish wrote: »I assume that people who do that stubble across the forum and don't realize that there is an app associated with it.
I thought you are required to create an account in order to post a question on the Forums...let me know if I'm wrong about that.
Yep, you have to go through the set up process in order to create an account to post, otherwise the forums are read only.
And this thing with people asking how many calories they should eat has been bugging the hell out of me lately, there seems to have been a massive increase in the number of those posts. I just want to reply with 'the *kitten* *kitten* *kitten* app tells you!!!!'.8 -
AllSpiceNice wrote: »TimothyFish wrote: »I assume that people who do that stubble across the forum and don't realize that there is an app associated with it.
I thought you are required to create an account in order to post a question on the Forums...let me know if I'm wrong about that.
Yup, I believe that's the case - you can't post without an account, you can't have an account without it asking you questions.2 -
It depends on the person. Sometimes our TDEE is different than we realize. Mfp sets me way too low. I prefer the fat2fitradio calculator. And I eat the same each day according to my TDEE, so I don't need to eat based on exercise calories.2
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"Reading the manual" has gone out of fashion.
It's never been the case that everyone can learn by reading static material, IME. Over 20-some years managing people, I learned that even some pretty smart people need more structure/interactivity . . . or hand-holding, if you prefer.4 -
I think that people just starting out probably need to set a lower goal than what MFP calculates. Especially when you first start counting, you're going to suck at it. You will underestimate everything, you will forget to log stuff, etc. You will suck at it.
After you're used to tracking, and get better at it, you can raise your calories up to what MFP calculates.
Some of us suck at it the opposite way though. I have a natural tendency to overestimate the amount I'm eating when I'm dieting.
I think these are the exact reasons it's good to go with what they suggest to start with. Then if you aren't losing the amount you're set to you know what problems to look for. Or you can then adjust it accordingly to make up for your own errors.
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MFP settings are not accurate for my purposes and my goal is 0.75lbs weekly which (from what I recall and someone can correct me if I'm wrong) MFP doesn't offer as an option.
I set my own calorie goals with a custom amount I got from scoobys workshop for TDEE-xx% to provide me with my weight loss goal over a year timeframe. This has led to 60 pounds down in the last year.
> it took some trial and error to find the right rate of loss for my happiness and I initially lost closer to 2 pounds weekly before I balanced everything out.1 -
AllSpiceNice wrote: »Not trying to be snarky - but everyday I see multiple posts about "how do I determine my calorie goal? Someone help me figure out how much to eat / exercise to meet my goals?"
I find these questions confusing. When I first stumbled upon MFP, it was obvious that I could put in my stats and MFP would help calculate & track this. Yet so many on the Forums seem completely unaware of this.
Maybe someone can help me understand - why don't you take advantage of the MFP calorie goal and tracking? Does MFP need to draw more attention to those features so people know they exist? Do you see the tools but not trust their accuracy? Or is there another reason people come to the MFP site and decline to use the tools they offer?
When I came to MFP ...
I entered my details.
I selected sedentary as my activity level.
I chose to lose 0.5 kg/week.
MFP gave me my calories.
I ate those calories.
I lost weight.
Seems simple to me!
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