Question on calorie intake (recently did Medifast)

mariah31592
mariah31592 Posts: 6
in Motivation and Support
Over the summer, I did a medifast and lost about 25 pounds. Since coming off of it, I've gained about 4-5 pounds (holidays has made it tough). Since I stopped Medi, I started doing MFP. I was really successful with it over the summer just because I had nothing to do and was really strict about what I ate. I'm a nursing student back at college so sometimes it's difficult to be strict. I'm usually good during the weekdays but blow it on the weekends. I haven't consistently lost weight per week on MFP since the summer. My Medifast coach said I should be eating between 875-1,000 calories per day. However, I don't think that's safe, nor healthy. I'm female, 21, 5'7". BMR -1675 TDEE - 2010.

MFP gives me 1490 calories per day. I set it to lose 1.5 lbs per week. I also put lightly active because I don't workout out everyday like I should but I'm not a couch potato either. I'm not as physically active on the weekends, so there has been times where I've debated setting it to sedentary and then switching back to lightly active for the week but I'm not sure. I read online that I could eat
1450-1650 calories/day and lose weight.

I'm just feeling discouraged and don't know how many calories to consume each day to lose weight. I know more than BMI but less than TDEE but I need some advice. I haven't worked out in so long and have just not logged my food in so long because the weekends I screw up because of plans and hanging out with friends. I lost consistently over the summer (was set at sedentary) but just haven't been losing like that since. What do I have to do to lose weight??? Can someone please offer me some feedback? I would greatly appreciate it.

Replies

  • mariah31592
    mariah31592 Posts: 6
    When I went off Medifast I was 188. I'm now around 193-194. My goal weight for graduation in May is to be at least 175. I think my biggest thing is my settings for MFP and just not having a clue how much to consume.
  • uconnwinsnc
    uconnwinsnc Posts: 1,054 Member
    875-1,000 calories a day is going to ruin you. You need to to do some trial and error. Eat 1,800 calories and do some weight training. If you feel you aren't getting enough food, then eat some more. If feel you are eating too much...then knock it down 50 calories and keep trying. Feel free to add a few days of cardio in to the mix.

    You need to find out what works best for you. I feel that the BMR and TDEE thing isn't entirely accurate all of the time. Start with a reasonable number of calories and do some exercising. You won't lose weight as quickly as you did when you were starving yourself, but you will be healthier doing it.
  • mariah31592
    mariah31592 Posts: 6
    Thanks.
  • krisp1108
    krisp1108 Posts: 13 Member
    875-1,000 calories a day is going to ruin you. You need to to do some trial and error. Eat 1,800 calories and do some weight training. If you feel you aren't getting enough food, then eat some more. If feel you are eating too much...then knock it down 50 calories and keep trying. Feel free to add a few days of cardio in to the mix.

    You need to find out what works best for you. I feel that the BMR and TDEE thing isn't entirely accurate all of the time. Start with a reasonable number of calories and do some exercising. You won't lose weight as quickly as you did when you were starving yourself, but you will be healthier doing it.

    This.
    Women NEED 1200 calories, no matter what their lifestyle. Add to it for active lifestyle and exercising. Start with the 14-1500 and see how it goes. In the beginning it's trial and error. I found I need to eat to lose. I also found I need to shake it up a little with some low calorie days followed by higher calorie, then back down. I need at least 1 high calorie day a week. If I eat those extra calories spread out over the week, I don't really lose much. Everyone is different.

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