Quitting WW and figuring out how many calories on MFP

Mugs203

I am a long time Weight Watcher member and feel I am basically over it - sick of paying for the meetings and not agreeing with some of their logic. Is it recommended to use the calorie formula determined by MFP to figure out how much I should eat (to lose weight) or is there another method everyone uses? Thanks so much!

cwolfman13

MFP will calculate it for you based on stats and activity level.

Some people use other calculators that are TDEE calculators...these calculators give you an estimate based on total activity, including exercise...MFP gives you a target based on your NEAT (activity without exercise) and then you add exercise after the fact.

Done correctly, the two methods are exactly the same...the only difference is where you account for exercise.

SideSteel

Mugs203 wrote: »

I am a long time Weight Watcher member and feel I am basically over it - sick of paying for the meetings and not agreeing with some of their logic. Is it recommended to use the calorie formula determined by MFP to figure out how much I should eat (to lose weight) or is there another method everyone uses? Thanks so much!

One method would be to use somewhere around 10 to 12 cals per lb bodyweight and then do not eat back exercise calories. Monitor rate of losses and adjust target up or down based on that.

beaglady

Be sure to read the Helpful Posts thread that is stickied at the top of the page. Lots of helpful info on getting started. Welcome!

earlnabby

Yes, plug in your stats and trust the numbers. Be realistic about your weight loss goal and be honest about how active you are without purposeful exercise and you should get a decent ballpark number.

After you get your number:

1. Weigh all solids and semi solids and measure all liquids
2. Log everything you eat (no such thing as free foods)
3. Log your exercise and start by eating back 1/2 of those calories.

After about 4 weeks, evaluate your results. Has your weekly average weight loss been close to target? Keep doing what you are doing. Losing too fast? Eat back more of your exercise calories. Too slow? Double check your logging (both food and exercise). If that is good, maybe eat back fewer calories.

I have had several attempts with WW but I found MFP to be the easiest, most flexible, and overall best way to lose (82 lb. so far) while staying happy.

Rickster1967

This calorie calculator is useful

http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

get your BMR and TDEE numbers then follow the advice given by earlnabby

CindyWard2

I am also a former WW...got completely sick of points and absolutely despised how they weighted things with sugar or fat so heavily with points. I used the MFP calculator and have lost 12 lbs since starting about 2 months ago. Calorie counting makes so much sense to me...I have no idea why I never tried it before. I will NEVER go back to a "diet" I have to pay for.

earlnabby

CindyWard2 wrote: »

I am also a former WW...got completely sick of points and absolutely despised how they weighted things with sugar or fat so heavily with points. I used the MFP calculator and have lost 12 lbs since starting about 2 months ago. Calorie counting makes so much sense to me...I have no idea why I never tried it before. I will NEVER go back to a "diet" I have to pay for.

WW is still calorie counting, but you don't learn anything about the actual food you are eating and how it affects you as an individual. With MFP, you see the macronutrient breakdown and you see exactly how much of whatever micronutrients or carb subset (fiber, sugar) you choose to track is in your daily diary.

canarysal

Another WW defector, lost on it in past but put all back on. So far 2 st 4 lbs lost on MFP since January. No more forbidden foods, if it fits in my calorie allowance I can have it while colleagues still going without due to points and sins!!

Iwilldo198

I am also quitting WW I have lost on it. But I don't want to pay the money anymore or make time for meetings I already have a tight schedule

sanjay5674

Weight Watchers is all about corporate greed. I just quit after 11 years. I'm a 4 year lifetime member who lost 155 pounds.

I researched the calorie allotment and found MFP to be consistent with the others. Trust it, but go by your weight loss and adjust accordingly.