What should my pounds per week weight loss be?

JuliBiGoolee

I'm 37, 5' 7" and 200 lbs. I'd love to lose 2 lbs per week but I'm not sure if that is reasonable for my size. Would I be more successful with 1 or 1.5 lbs per week goal? For 2lbs per week I get 1260 cals, for 1.5 lbs per week I get 1510 cals. I understand that less cals=more weight loss=success BUT in my past experience, if I eat too few calories then I get hungry and go overboard. If I feel like I've eaten enough, I'm less likely to "graze" and have cravings later in the day. Then I have people saying "1260 is not enough, you'll go into 'starvation mode' " Yeeeeaaahh this body doesn't look like it's starving. Anyone have experience altering their weight loss goals to less strict and be successful? Thank you in advance.

malibu927

If you don't feel comfortable on 1260, go with 1510. Or even a pound a week (1760). Starvation mode doesn't exist, anyway.

JuliBiGoolee

Thank you

concordancia

You are pretty borderline right now; you could lose 2 lb/week safely for a while IF you can stick to your goals. Soon, you will have to switch to the lower rate for health. A general rule of thumb is 1% of bodyweight per week.

If the higher calorie allowance means you will stick to your goals better, then that is where you will actually be successful.

Another option is to set your goals to the lower rate (more calories) and eat somewhere between 1260 and 1510.

PokeyBug

Are you going to be exercising, too? I've found that a little walking every day makes room for a few more calories, too. I'm short and not trying to lose, but my maintenance calories are pretty low (1440 calories a day). And that sucks, because I love to eat! I exercise, a little bit because I know it's healthy for me to do, but mostly so I can eat a dessert in the evenings.

stanmann571

concordancia wrote: »

You are pretty borderline right now; you could lose 2 lb/week safely for a while IF you can stick to your goals. Soon, you will have to switch to the lower rate for health. A general rule of thumb is 1% of bodyweight per week.

If the higher calorie allowance means you will stick to your goals better, then that is where you will actually be successful.

Another option is to set your goals to the lower rate (more calories) and eat somewhere between 1260 and 1510.

Pretty much this.

Although If you need to eat more, just push up your activity a bit. Just keep it balanced...

JuliBiGoolee

PokeyBug wrote: »

Are you going to be exercising, too? I've found that a little walking every day makes room for a few more calories, too. I'm short and not trying to lose, but my maintenance calories are pretty low (1440 calories a day). And that sucks, because I love to eat! I exercise, a little bit because I know it's healthy for me to do, but mostly so I can eat a dessert in the evenings.

I wasn't exercising because I had my gallbladder out on 3/31. But now I'm back at work (teacher, on my feet all day) and am off restriction at the end of this week. I have been taking my daughter in the stroller for brisk 30 minute walks a couple times a week.

PokeyBug

JuliBiGoolee wrote: »

PokeyBug wrote: »

Are you going to be exercising, too? I've found that a little walking every day makes room for a few more calories, too. I'm short and not trying to lose, but my maintenance calories are pretty low (1440 calories a day). And that sucks, because I love to eat! I exercise, a little bit because I know it's healthy for me to do, but mostly so I can eat a dessert in the evenings.

I wasn't exercising because I had my gallbladder out on 3/31. But now I'm back at work (teacher, on my feet all day) and am off restriction at the end of this week. I have been taking my daughter in the stroller for brisk 30 minute walks a couple times a week.

Bless your heart! Now I'm going to advise you to take it easy at first.