How do I figure out my calorie intake?

10BlueDoves

MFP initially gave me 1250 cal/day to lose 2lbs per week, after the first week I changed my activity level to lightly active since I realized I am walking over 10,000 each day just in my normal activity. This bumped me up to 1360. However, in the last 2 weeks I have lost about 8 pounds. While I am feeling great about the 8 pound lose, it seems like it is too much too fast. How do I figure out how much to add?

Pearsquared

When did you start out? When you first begin, weight loss can seem really fast because our bodies tend to dump a lot of water weight when we first get into a deficit. If this rate continues for the next few weeks, you'll probably want to consider adding more calories, but if you're first starting, chances are it will even out to a more reasonable rate. (:

JCrazyRunner5

i wouldnt worry about your weight loss in the first two weeks. If you are watching what you are eating, your pob just seeing that quick loss of excess water weight you carry when you eat bad. i would watch the next week or so, then adjust.

BillRicks1

A Lean Protein Estimator (LPE) is a good place to start. It will provide you with an estimate of your lean body mass. That determines the calories you would burn at rest for 24 hours. Go under that by ~200 calories. The calculation for me is 1967 (I try to get ~1800) and a protein factor of 142 (I try to hit 160 or better). Message me your height and weight and I'll run it for you.

Francl27

Depends a lot on how much you have to lose. By eating too little, you'll lose a lot at first but it will slow down eventually. Also you have to remember that you're supposed to eat back at least some exercise calories with MFP.