Going over on your calories

hedean
hedean Posts: 40 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello everyone, I am new to myfitnesspal but I understand the goal is to stay within the calorie limit they give you. I try to do this but some days I feel like 1200 calories is just not enough. Should I try to avoid going over my calories? Is staying under the calorie limit generally everyone's goal on here?

Replies

  • jaecamp1
    jaecamp1 Posts: 120 Member
    You should try to be right at your calorie goal not below :) If you don't feel as though you're eating enough, maybe you should try a less aggressive weight loss goal? Maybe 1 lb instead of 2 per week? Personally I have a 1200 goal and I look at the weekly average not the daily. Some days I'm over, some days under. As your body gets used to it it does get easier to stay around there. Plus it kind of forces you to eat healthy because otherwise you'll be hungry all the time.
  • Ransou
    Ransou Posts: 7
    1200 calories is the minimum, anything under is starvation, I believe.
    If you're active and exercise, you should certainly add more calories to your diet, because if you work off what little you consume, your metabolism will shrivel up and die with your progress.
  • Kevalicious99
    Kevalicious99 Posts: 1,131 Member
    I had set my calorie goals .. 2lbs a week, and 1200 calories per day. I initially had trouble getting enough calories. But I changed my food intake and I am now in the range in fact I was at times going over. I was sad as I didn't want to go over, I thought my progress would totally stall. But someone told me that 1200 was low for a guy , , and so I upped mine to 1440. This is much better and I am not going over now.

    So .. if you are consistently going over, and you think you are eating healthy food, maybe you need to up it. Just saying .. I did it and it seems to be working for me. Baby steps I always tell myself.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    More than likely you've chosen the 2 lb per week loss rate because most people start out wanting lose as much weight as they can as fast as they can. If MFP has only given you 1200 calories then you need to pick a less aggressive goal. If you want to learn more Google BMR and find out what you would need to be eating to survive in a coma. You should be eating more than that.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    If that's too strict for you, loosen up your goal to 1 lb per week or even 1/2 a pound weekly. Adherence long term is more important than speed. If it comes off quickly but you can only hack it for 2 weeks you won't get anywhere.
  • beachlover317
    beachlover317 Posts: 2,848 Member
    Hello everyone, I am new to myfitnesspal but I understand the goal is to stay within the calorie limit they give you. I try to do this but some days I feel like 1200 calories is just not enough. Should I try to avoid going over my calories? Is staying under the calorie limit generally everyone's goal on here?

    One question: Do you exercise? MFP will add back your calories from exercise - you should eat them. That's the way this website works.

    One suggestion: Learn to look at your weekly totals. Maybe you eat more one day and less the next. Look at your weekly averages (reports tab)

    One piece of advice: Read this link and learn all your can about your numbers and what works for your body. Good luck.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974889-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

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