Is 2000 calories a day high?

hmhill17

I was active here 4-5 years ago, got down to 162, stabilized at 175 for a while, stopped tracking.
Over the last 2 years, the weight crept up and I hit 200 again. I blame turning 50 and stress eating.
I’m trying to get back down to 175-180 losing 1 pound a week and MFP tells me 2000 calories a day with a not very active lifestyle setting will do it. I don’t remember the calories ever being that high before.

AnnPT77

You haven't told us your current weight (just that you hit 200), height, age (did you just turn 50?), sex, or activity level. How could we possibly guess how many calories you need?

One individual's experience tells us zero about another individual's calorie needs: That's what research-based statistical estimates like MFP's are for . . . and they're only a starting point, a hypotheses to test for 4-6 weeks, then adjust based on individual results if necessary.

That said, I maintain weight on 2100-2200 as a 5'5" (165cm), low 130s pounds (60-ish kg), 69 y/o retired woman, so 2000 doesn't seem crazy high for weight loss in someone who's male, younger, bigger, or has a more active job or daily life.

If MFP gave you 2000, it thinks you'd maintain at 2500. That's not unreasonable for someone of 200 pounds or over who has a normally-active life, isn't much over 50, especially if male. Sailrabbit (https://www.sailrabbit.com/bmr/) thinks a 50 y/o slightly active 5'10" 200-pound male would maintain around 2500. If female and same size, it thinks she'd maintain at 2500 if moderately active.

Try it and see?

tomcustombuilder

There is no way to really tell you if it’s valid or not. You’ll just have to try it for 4 to 6 weeks and see what the outcome is.
2,000 or any other calorie amount is only valid If in fact you’re being as accurate as possible with your weekly calorie counting and tracking.

pnrbor

2000 seems high if you want to lose weight. I am on 1200 a day but I am a shortish woman.

totameafox

calculate your tdee. you can google a calculator. You need to eat under that to lose weight.

nossmf

Pick a number (maybe the 2k from MFP, maybe another after you look at a calculator), stick with it for four weeks, see what happens to your weight:

• If it does not change, that's your maintenance number.
• If your weight goes up, divide the total weight gain by 28 to get an average per day, multiply by 3500 to see how many calories per day you are over maintenance.
• If your weight goes down, divide the total weight loss by 28 to get an average per day, multiply by 3500 to see how many calories per day you are under maintenance.

Now that you have a maintenance number calculated from actual life experience and not an online estimate, you can make a plan to lose weight at the rate you desire.

J72FIT

Height, age, male/female, activity level? More info is needed...