Calories

jcjhard

My calories seem to be high I’m afraid it’s too many. But I assume mfp has then set appropriately? As well how important is it to eat all of them for weight loss? How much lower than the suggested amount should u go before u stop losing? Help!

NovusDies

jcjhard wrote: »

My calories seem to be high I’m afraid it’s too many. But I assume mfp has then set appropriately? As well how important is it to eat all of them for weight loss? How much lower than the suggested amount should u go before u stop losing? Help!

Opinions are not usually that reliable when calculating calorie needs. It is better to use a standard calculation that should give you a good estimate of where to start. You should eat all of the calories it gives you and at least half of any exercise calories.

You cannot physically stop losing weight due to eating too little. That is a myth. You can physically make yourself ill eating too little and/or mentally reject the weight loss effort because you are miserable.

In about 6 weeks you can review how your weight loss has been progressing and then adjust your calories up or down as needed. Eating more usually starts with eating more of your exercise calories. Eating less usually starts with getting a food scale and getting your portions dialed in correctly. Or you could get a food scale now and not risk eating too much for 6 weeks <- better plan.

Also remember that MFP database entries were made by users. Many entries were made by users who were new, sloppy, or suffering from wishful thinking. Suffice it to say the database has many errors in it. You should personally verify that the entries you select to use against the label or the new USDA site.

Nony_Mouse

You don't stop losing when you go below, you lose too fast (bad idea, much as it may sound like a good idea to you right now).

If you have entered your height, age, current weight, and activity level correctly, and chosen an appropriate weekly weight loss goal, then MFP will have given you a good estimate of the calories you should be eating to lose weight.

How many calories did it give you? Why do you think that's too many? usually that happens when people are getting weight loss information from dubious sources that recommend dumb things like a blanket 1200 cals no matter your height/age/weight etc.

jcjhard

Mine is 1950 but I am starting at 315 lbs so it is prob right. I am comparing it to the 1200 cal that your taking about is prob why I feel it’s high.

serindipte

Just a point of reference for you: I'm 5'4", starting weight of 229, sedentary, 45 yr old female.. I lost my first 50 lbs eating around 1750 calories a day. Considering the weight difference alone, your 1950 sounds very plausible. If you're younger than me, it's even better.

cwolfman13

jcjhard wrote: »

Mine is 1950 but I am starting at 315 lbs so it is prob right. I am comparing it to the 1200 cal that your taking about is prob why I feel it’s high.

1200 calories would be completely inappropriate for your starting weight. Not to mention, you'd be starting at the bottom and have no where to adjust to when you plateau, etc. You burn a lot more calories just moving around at your size. Think of it like this...what uses more fuel, a Ram 1500 or a Toyota Corolla?