Using all Calories

kerrymackay09

Hi,
Does everyone seem to use all there calories per day and still see positive results? (Sorry I’m new to this)

cmriverside

I always did.

We need some context though.


How much weight are you trying to lose?

Are you using a Fitbit or tracking device?


What are your weekly goals? "Lose 1 pound per week," is the recommendation for most people.

Dogmom1978

You should never eat under 1200 a day. If you exercise and dip below 1200, eat your exercise calories back.

I’m set to lose 1 lb a week and sometimes I lose 2 lbs. I underestimate my exercise so that I can be pleasantly surprised on weekly weigh in days.

Shortgirlrunning

You’re supposed to eat all the calories MFP gives you. That’s how it’s set up to work.

cmriverside

Shortgirlrunning wrote: »

You’re supposed to eat all the calories MFP gives you. That’s how it’s set up to work.

Without additional information about her, we really don't know what she's using for her numbers.

If the Goals are reasonable and if she set her Activity Level honestly (and didn't choose "sedentary") AND if she's accounting for her additional calories allowed by exercise, then perhaps what you say may be true.

A deficit IS built in - BUT she would need to understand how this site calculates so your answer, though technically true does not take anything into account about her "accounting."

kerrymackay09

Sorry I should of been a bit more clearer 🙈
I’ve been giving 1200 Calories a day and set my challenge to 2lbs a week loss. I go walking a lot so tracking that on my Fitbit and any exercise calories I gain will only be used for a treat say at the weekend.
I’ve been doing weight watchers on and off so trying to get used to this app and also understanding how it works etc 🤗

cmriverside

kerrymackay09 wrote: »

Sorry I should of been a bit more clearer 🙈
I’ve been giving 1200 Calories a day and set my challenge to 2lbs a week loss. I go walking a lot so tracking that on my Fitbit and any exercise calories I gain will only be used for a treat say at the weekend.
I’ve been doing weight watchers on and off so trying to get used to this app and also understanding how it works etc 🤗

How much weight are you trying to lose?

1200 is super low. How tall are you? Do you work or care for kids at home? What did you set as your Activity Level?

If your Fitbit tells you to eat XXXX number of calories, that's your Goal. Not "under" that.


However, unless you have a lot of weight to lose, 1200 (2 pounds per week) is not feasible, healthy, nor safe.

gallicinvasion

I started off ALWAYS going under my calories. It was my silly way of insuring myself against any perceived/imagined “inaccuracies” I would make with my logging. It wasn’t really the best way to go about it, because every single number is an estimate anyway. As long as we weigh our food, use accurate MFP food diary entries, log everything we eat and drink, and estimate as honestly as possible, the consistency will win out and results follow. If they don’t, you can be confident that you’re being accurate, and tweak your calorie goal in the necessary direction. It’s all about try, assess, try again.

I soon learned to eat all my calories allotted! Much happier that way, and I lost 100 lbs (have kept it off since October).

AshHeartsJesus

I really struggle with eating enough calories 😦 The ladies here have been really encouraging on eating is ok and you will lose! I was eating way below goal for me and have upped it by 200 calories and need to bump it up a smidge more. I have 5 kiddos breastfeed and workout 6x a week so it is super important I get this calorie thing down. All that to say listen to them about eating your calories!