being under net calories

rella_1003
rella_1003 Posts: 70 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Sometimes I'm slightly under the total net calories (only by 20 or so calories) and MFP warns me that I'm consuming too little calories and my metabolism will slow. Will this really happen if I'm only slightly under? I could obviously eat more but because 20 calories is such a small amount if I ate a piece of chocolate or a packet of crisps I'd go over my daily allowance. Should I be worried?
Also, my BMR is 1409 calories but MFP has set me at 1200 calories a day which I find manageable. Is this okay?
I'm new to this whole weight loss thing so any words of wisdom would be nice :)

Replies

  • p4ulmiller
    p4ulmiller Posts: 588 Member
    It won't. You can't. It doesn't.

    The whole "starvation mode" thing is a complete myth and the absolute worst aspect of MFP. Eat to within 100 cals (either side) of your calorie limit and you'll be fine.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    It won't. You can't. It doesn't.

    The whole "starvation mode" thing is a complete myth and the absolute worst aspect of MFP. Eat to within 100 cals (either side) of your calorie limit and you'll be fine.
    This isn't true. Metabolism absolutely slows down under calorie restriction, that's simple human biology.

    The "myth" of "starvation mode" (a misnomer) is that weight loss will completely stop, which isn't true. Metabolism absolutely slows, and it's difficult to get proper nutrition at such a low calorie amount.
  • cannibaldoll
    cannibaldoll Posts: 50 Member
    I wouldn't sweat the 20 calories. Its an automated message MFP gives you if you're under 1,200 cals. Not taking into account that overall, being under 20 cals a couple times a week or so isn't a big deal.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    If the message you are getting for being under what MFP regards as the minimum calorie amount (1200) annoys or upsets you then why not increase your daily goal to give you a buffer?

    Did you go for 1kg per week loss? That's probably too aggressive if you don't have much to lose. What is your daily calorie allowance if you change setting to 0.5kg per week loss?
  • p4ulmiller
    p4ulmiller Posts: 588 Member
    Metabolism absolutely slows, and it's difficult to get proper nutrition at such a low calorie amount.

    Well, ok. But in the context of what most people call "starvation mode", ie, I haven't lost this week ergo you must be in starvation mode, it doesn't.

    Adaptive thermogenesis was not what the OP was asking about. MFP shouldn't be peddling the term so loosely.
  • rella_1003
    rella_1003 Posts: 70 Member
    If the message you are getting for being under what MFP regards as the minimum calorie amount (1200) annoys or upsets you then why not increase your daily goal to give you a buffer?

    Did you go for 1kg per week loss? That's probably too aggressive if you don't have much to lose. What is your daily calorie allowance if you change setting to 0.5kg per week loss?

    It doesn't annoy or upset me, I just want to lose weight safely so I was a bit concerned. Even if I have it .5kg per week loss its still 1200 because I don't exercise. I don't have a set amount of kg to lose I'm trying to lose 4 inches around my waist so I'm not sure how much I should lose.
  • rella_1003
    rella_1003 Posts: 70 Member
    [/quote]

    Well, ok. But in the context of what most people call "starvation mode", ie, I haven't lost this week ergo you must be in starvation mode, it doesn't.

    Adaptive thermogenesis was not what the OP was asking about. MFP shouldn't be peddling the term so loosely.
    [/quote]

    phew, thanks for putting my mind at ease
  • rella_1003
    rella_1003 Posts: 70 Member
    I wouldn't sweat the 20 calories. Its an automated message MFP gives you if you're under 1,200 cals. Not taking into account that overall, being under 20 cals a couple times a week or so isn't a big deal.

    ok thanks :)
  • unFATuated
    unFATuated Posts: 204 Member
    I wouldn't sweat the 20 calories. Its an automated message MFP gives you if you're under 1,200 cals. Not taking into account that overall, being under 20 cals a couple times a week or so isn't a big deal.


    There's also a good chance that some logging isn't 100% accurate, so you may not be under by that much at all. While I'm not a fan of going to 1200, if it's working for you, you have energy and feel good then that's great.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Should I be worried?

    No.
    Also, my BMR is 1409 calories but MFP has set me at 1200 calories a day which I find manageable. Is this okay?

    Most likely, yes. Would need more details about weigh loss goals and eating/exercise patterns to give definitive opinion.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    I completely agree with one of the above posters. It isn't likely that you are logging 100% accurately everything everytime; and I know for certain that MFP is 100% accurate.

    I only recently started tracking cals on here; I have been in the habit of keeping a running tab in my head for YEARS, and checking all labels of what I eat. When I log the food into MFP, the total MFP is not the same as my personal total. It is VERY close, but not exact.

    Also with exercise, the cardio machines at the gym give me one # of cals burned, I log it into MFP...surprise, MFP's # is always different. Again, it's close.

    I wouldn't worry about 20 cals.
  • rella_1003
    rella_1003 Posts: 70 Member
    Should I be worried?

    No.
    Also, my BMR is 1409 calories but MFP has set me at 1200 calories a day which I find manageable. Is this okay?

    Most likely, yes. Would need more details about weigh loss goals and eating/exercise patterns to give definitive opinion.

    Well I'm aiming to lose 1kg a week and I eat 6 small meals and/or lots of regular snacks. I don't do any exercise but I am trying to walk more long distances, usually slow pace for 1 hour
  • rella_1003
    rella_1003 Posts: 70 Member
    I completely agree with one of the above posters. It isn't likely that you are logging 100% accurately everything everytime; and I know for certain that MFP is 100% accurate.

    I only recently started tracking cals on here; I have been in the habit of keeping a running tab in my head for YEARS, and checking all labels of what I eat. When I log the food into MFP, the total MFP is not the same as my personal total. It is VERY close, but not exact.

    Also with exercise, the cardio machines at the gym give me one # of cals burned, I log it into MFP...surprise, MFP's # is always different. Again, it's close.

    I wouldn't worry about 20 cals.

    I use the barcode scanner tool so I think most of what I record is accurate but yeah, your right when I have my cereal I don't weight out exactly the amount of rice crispies and milk I use. Thanks for your help!

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