How to know what my calorie intake should be, and how to stick to it?

kgonz47

I’m new to the app and new to weight loss. I’m in my early 20s and am at 151lbs right now and I’m 5’6. I’m struggling with how many calories I should be eating/burning a day. I would ideally like to get down to 135-140 by the summer time. Please send tips on healthy calorie intakes/ how to stay motivated and stick to these meal restrictions.

yirara

You only have very little to lose, thus weightloss will not be fast. Please be prepared for that. But every bit of weight lost is a win. Try to see it this way. Having said that, it's probably very likely you'll lose close to 10lbs in 5 months.

So use the guided setup, chose an activity level for your life without exercise, chose a goal loss of about 0.5lbs per week. You can also try 1lbs, but if you bottom out at 1200 it will not happen because that's the lowest MFP will give any female regardless of goal because your body can only lose so much bodyfat at a given time and your body needs sufficient nutrition. The lighter you are the slower weightloss will be as it takes a lot more energy to fuel a big body. Eat whatever you like, but stay within your calorie goal. A food scale for weighing your food will be a lot more precise than guessing or using cups/spoons. You can experiment and find food that you love and that keeps you full more. Fluid calories or snacks might not keep you quite so full. Some people feel full in a diet high in fats, others thrive on carbs, again others need a lot of protein. If there's some exercise you enjoy doing then do it, and eat at least a part of those calories back: moar food to fuel your exercise, and to feel great. If you could add some strength training then you'll look fab come summer and not flab.

Please ask if you have any questions.