Adjusting calories

roobella

After years of yo yo dieting either with SW or more recently WW I'm trying MFP.

The reason for the change! When following these plans often I was under eating calories and feeling drained at which point I would then over compensate and eat too much

So this week was my first week on MFP
I'm 36, 5ft 5 and 180lbs. I'd like to get back to 140 maybe at a push 133. I'm lightly active try to walk to places when I can and squeeze in 20 to 30 min cardio, when I can, as that's what I have available to me. MFP gave me a calorie goal of 1590cals.

This week my weight maintained, which considering the changes I'm happy with.

My question is how long to try this calorie goal to see if I start losing weight before I try adjusting and reducing the calorie level?
Honestly not felt like I've eaten this much in ages, and my energy levels are certainly better this week, for the first time in a long time. So happy not to rush

DancingMoosie

Give it a few weeks and also try a weight trending app, like libra or happy scale.

LivingtheLeanDream

4 weeks is a good aim before making any further change to intake. All the best.

LivingtheLeanDream

ps I'm smaller than you by 3" and would lose eating 1590 (0.5lb a week) - I'm quite active. But the calories you've been allotted sounds good to me.

NovusDies

roobella wrote: »

After years of yo yo dieting either with SW or more recently WW I'm trying MFP.

The reason for the change! When following these plans often I was under eating calories and feeling drained at which point I would then over compensate and eat too much

So this week was my first week on MFP
I'm 36, 5ft 5 and 180lbs. I'd like to get back to 140 maybe at a push 133. I'm lightly active try to walk to places when I can and squeeze in 20 to 30 min cardio, when I can, as that's what I have available to me. MFP gave me a calorie goal of 1590cals.

This week my weight maintained, which considering the changes I'm happy with.

My question is how long to try this calorie goal to see if I start losing weight before I try adjusting and reducing the calorie level?
Honestly not felt like I've eaten this much in ages, and my energy levels are certainly better this week, for the first time in a long time. So happy not to rush

3 more weeks. Since weight loss does not often appear linearly on the bathroom scale you might have lost some fat weight this week that is being masked. If you do seem some downward movement then wait about another 3 weeks (total of 6) to determine what adjustments, if any, to make.

roobella

LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »

ps I'm smaller than you by 3" and would lose eating 1590 (0.5lb a week) - I'm quite active. But the calories you've been allotted sounds good to me.

Thanks that's really helpful

roobella

Thanks everyone 👍🏻

Pamela_Sue

MFP recommends the following:

If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lb/week is ideal
If you have 15-25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lb/week is ideal
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lb/week is ideal

However, you can always choose to lose slower than the above recommendations. And, as you get closer to goal, you will want to adjust your amount lost per week downward. Hope this helps!

BarbaraHelen2013

For a premenopausal woman it makes most sense to stick to your goal at least through one entire cycle as there are so many fluctuations connected with your menstrual cycle.

So, depending on where you started your plan with reference to your cycle you may need to stick with it for around 7 weeks to be sure about what’s going on.

AnnPT77

Just in to say I started around your weight/height (183, 5'5"), and lost 50 pounds in just under a year, most of it eating at about the goal you're at now, plus all my (carefully estimated) exercise calories, at age 59-60.

I agree with the "at least one full menstrual cycle" idea.

Emmapatterson1729

Agree with all of the above.

After the yo yo dieting, might take a few weeks to reset. Give it time, I think having energy and feeling more satisfied is just as important as losing weight.

I did WW for less than a month, because I felt like I was starving. Quit, jumped on MFP, lost almost 100 and maintained. Never felt starving or deprived the entire time while losing.

roobella

Still no loss today.
I did jump on the scales mid week and had gone down a 1lb with natural fluctuation but on weigh day it was the same.

I'll stick with your advice and keep at it for another few weeks before adjusting calories. Thanks everyone