How do I find out how many calories I should have each day please.

emiliajude

Hi there,
My name is Angela. I’m 50 years old and not exercising very much due to health issues just a short dog walk daily.
I have done every diet you can think of Keto, Weight Watchers, slimming world, Dukan every time I find I feel poorly, low in energy and once at goal the diet seems unsustainable.
I want to just simply count calories this time but don’t know how many I should be having for my height, weight , age.
Where can I calculate how many I should have please ?

yirara

Hello Angela,
Just wanting to count calories is probably the best thing you can do as you can eat any way you like. Which means you can eat the food you like and that makes you happy. That's a good way towards sustainable new habits.

So you've given us some information. You're female and 50. That's something. Can you also tell us your weight and size? What's your goal weight? How much do you move without exercise?

It's good you actually ask because most people will simply use the highest weightloss goal without thinking about it. If you have a lot to lose then 2lbs per week might be appropriate, but it's not for many people. On the website you can simply do the guided setup under home -> then Goals in the blue bar. Just play a bit with that until someone will be able to give you move information. Until you provide us with a bit more information

cmriverside

Angela, click on "myfitnesspal" at the top.

Then, "Goals"

Then, "View Guided Setup"

Here is the link:

https://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_guided

This site will calculate a starting goal for you. It suggests you choose, "Lose 1 pound per week," and I would reiterate that. It's a good starting point with not too-low calorie goals.


With that said, once I reached my goal weight it was hard at first to stay at that calorie amount. If I don't get some regular exercise I really struggle with the calorie goal. I hope you'll start lengthening the dog walk and get it up to 45-60 minutes on five days a week. Two 30 minute walks a day would work too. Good for you, your heart, your bones, your nervous system and cardiovascular system. Good for the dog.

cwolfman13

emiliajude wrote: »

Hi there,
My name is Angela. I’m 50 years old and not exercising very much due to health issues just a short dog walk daily.
I have done every diet you can think of Keto, Weight Watchers, slimming world, Dukan every time I find I feel poorly, low in energy and once at goal the diet seems unsustainable.
I want to just simply count calories this time but don’t know how many I should be having for my height, weight , age.
Where can I calculate how many I should have please ?

You put your stats and activity level and desired rate of loss and this calculator it calculates that for you. Unless you have a lot of weight to lose, I'd stick with 1 Lb per week rate of loss goal...the calculator is still likely to bottom out at 1200 calories per day if you're more or less sedentary and aren't obese to morbidly obese as your TDEE isn't likely high enough to support faster loss.