Calorie Deficit Question

Hello all, I am a 19 y/o male weighing about 214 lbs. Ive been trying to lose fat and keep/gain muscle mass for a couple months now. So far I am down 10 lbs and I am muscular but not yet cut. The myfitnesspal program has me eating around 2600 calories a day, I eat a pretty large breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but when I enter it all into the program, it still has me 600 calories short of my "goal" calories for the day. Am i eating too little? I am not super hungry throughout the day. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Replies

  • ladyhusker39
    ladyhusker39 Posts: 1,406 Member
    Depends on whether your logging is accurate. If you open your diary people can give you better advice.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    10 pounds in two months sounds like a healthy weightloss rate for someone your weight, so it seems you've been eating an apprpriate amount of calories. If you "should" have been eating more, according to MFP, it's most likely a question of incorrect logging.
  • Unknown
    edited November 2017
    This content has been removed.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    I suggest using a food scale. It very easy to underestimate portions.

    If you find that you are still under, I wouldn't worry about the 600 calories as long as your not hungry. Maybe then adjust your calorie goal, make sure your getting healthy fats and plenty of lean protein.

    Good luck!
  • maca1166
    maca1166 Posts: 3 Member
    thanks everyone, how do i open my diary?
  • maca1166
    maca1166 Posts: 3 Member
    figured it out, you guys can check out my food diary if you want to give me any suggestions
  • UncelDolan09
    UncelDolan09 Posts: 22 Member
    Hi Maca,
    a couple of things:
    First, be aware that it is extremely hard to lose fat and gain muscles at the same time. You said "keep/gain" and I would def. not set your expectations of getting stronger while in a deficit too high. That said, you should increase your protein intake to at least 1g/lbs of bodyweight. Decrease carbs as needed to stay at calorie goal. That will help to avoid getting too sore and losing muscle.
    Second, get a food scale! I can see that you're using a lot of "1 cup" measures etc, which is most of the time pretty inaccurate. Just buy one on amazon (shouldn't cost more than 15$), weigh your food real quick before you eat it and you will get much more accurate results.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    You've lost 10 Lbs in about 2 months? That sounds fine to me. The numbers you get for your calorie targets are just estimates...and there's likely errors in logging as well...don't get too wrapped up in those numbers...look at your actual results as they will actually tell you something.