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Need help getting started-have questions!

spellingmama
spellingmama Posts: 17 Member
edited February 6 in Getting Started
I am just starting out. I've been reading the newbie information and it answers some questions and raises others. My BMR, by the way, is around 1500 calories.

I started MFP last week. The program says to lose 1/2 pound a week, I need to eat 1290 calories. I thought I'd add exercise in to make it go faster thinking that if I burned calories I'd lose more quickly. I've been biking steadily about 1/2-2 hours a day and didn't realize I had to "eat" the calories I burned so I gained a pound last week. I realize now that my body needs to have a net of 1200 calories a day or it thinks I'm starving it. It's probably why I have gained in the past...I didn't understand that my body was starving and on the days I ate normally, it stored it away for "later". I get that now, I think.

So, just to verify, I need to eat a "net" of 1200 calories each and every day so that my body isn't thinking I'm starving? Is this right?

Next question. I cannot tell how much to count the calories burned with biking. I pedal steadily and am tired at the end of biking. I "think" I should count it as moderate, 12-14 mph, but I don't have a speedometer to tell me exactly what my mph is. I'm afraid that if I overestimate, I'll eat too much and if I underestimate, I won't lose because I won't get my net of 1200 calories. How does one gauge and not do this wrong? Should I eliminate the exercise and just eat the correct calories for a while before exercising? I am enjoying the biking so I hate to take this route.

I'd appreciate getting a handle on this. I'm sure I'll have more questions later. Thanks!

Replies

  • maQmIgh
    maQmIgh Posts: 236 Member
    Being a bit over.. or under.. the net of 1200 calories isnt a major issue (it should still have you comfortably within the range to continue to lose the weight)
    I would suggest possibly investing in a Heart Rate Monitor, to help you work out your calorific burn each ride (I personally use Runtastic, they have a heart rate monitor and app for about £50 and the app can automatically upload my burn to MFP so I dont have to :wink: )

    Its always best to over guesstimate your calorie intake and under guesstimate your calorie burn :smile:

    I hope this helps

    Good Luck
    :flowerforyou:
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