MFP suggested weight????

chrs86
chrs86 Posts: 151 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
What's with the MFP suggested weight in 5 weeks? Past 2 weeks I've been eating less than my 9 year old and working out 4-5 times a week. Guess what? I gained 3 pounds. Its been saying 159-160 everyday for almost 2 weeks.
«1

Replies

  • 19TaraLynn84
    19TaraLynn84 Posts: 739 Member
    You should probably quit trying to eat less than your nine-year-old. What's your daily calorie goal?


    Edited because I just realized that I probably eat less than my 8-year-old little garbage disposal. But really, how many calories are you aiming for?
  • chrs86
    chrs86 Posts: 151 Member
    1200, but I try to stay around 900-1100 since I don't weigh everything exactly.
  • sfbaumgarten
    sfbaumgarten Posts: 912 Member
    You should sue.
  • marypatmccue
    marypatmccue Posts: 521 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Unless you're extremely short, you should reconsider things... Many people have found this above link very helpful.
  • chrs86
    chrs86 Posts: 151 Member
    False advertising! I want my calories back!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    1200, but I try to stay around 900-1100 since I don't weigh everything exactly.

    the reason you're not losing is probably because you dont weigh everything... buy some scales...
  • kballard66
    kballard66 Posts: 87
    You are not eating enough.
  • chrs86
    chrs86 Posts: 151 Member
    I'm 5'8
  • CorlissaEats
    CorlissaEats Posts: 493 Member
    I'm 5'8
    1200 calories is still not enough. I am a woman who is 5'8" and I lose eating between 1800 and 2100 cals per day. Use another calculator to evaluate your calorie goals. there is such a thing as eating too little!
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    I'm 5'5 and eat 2400/day. You need more fuel than a kid. Check this link out, too - it saved me from seriously undereating.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13
  • 19TaraLynn84
    19TaraLynn84 Posts: 739 Member
    It's okay to aim for 1200 calories. But your body needs AT LEAST that many, possibly even more. You should calculate your BMR and TDEE and go from there. This has been the best tool I have found so far:

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
  • marypatmccue
    marypatmccue Posts: 521 Member
    Just for some help, I'll repost that link: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    You can do the research and find what's right for you. A great place to start. And buy a food scale...
  • chrs86
    chrs86 Posts: 151 Member
    @ marypatmccue Thanks for the link. Unfortunately my attention span is worse then a dog. That's like an entire wbook. I read the first and last paragraphs. Great information.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Weight loss is not linear. That nifty feature is nice but it's not 100% accurate.

    The daily calorie goal already includes a deficit, there is no need to try to come in under that number. There is no need to cut calories that low to lose weight. Please check out the links provided above.

    As far as weight gain, it's likely that either you're tracking inaccurately (estimating instead of weighing, measuring, double checking nutrition labels, etc) and/or it's water weight from high sodium intake, new to or increase of exercise.

    ETA: Saw your reply about attention span. I kinda get that, it's a lot of info...but seriously, if you're not willing to put in the work to figure out what your goals should be, how do you expect to succeed? Just do it.
  • marypatmccue
    marypatmccue Posts: 521 Member
    Thanks for the link. Unfortunately my attention span is worse then a dog. That's like an entire wbook. I read the first and last paragraphs. Great information.

    Those unwilling to do their own research are usually the ones who fail. Good luck!:wink:
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    @ marypatmccue Thanks for the link. Unfortunately my attention span is worse then a dog. That's like an entire wbook. I read the first and last paragraphs. Great information.

    Well, you can't expect everyone to do the work for you. Do you want us to exercise for you too?
  • chrs86
    chrs86 Posts: 151 Member
    @hollydubs85Damn, I'll read it eventually. clam yourself.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    @ marypatmccue Thanks for the link. Unfortunately my attention span is worse then a dog. That's like an entire wbook. I read the first and last paragraphs. Great information.

    you get out what you're willing to put in... so sweet FA in your case!
  • chrs86
    chrs86 Posts: 151 Member
    Thanks for all the great advice and good luck with your success.
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    What's with the MFP suggested weight in 5 weeks? Past 2 weeks I've been eating less than my 9 year old and working out 4-5 times a week. Guess what? I gained 3 pounds. Its been saying 159-160 everyday for almost 2 weeks.

    To answer your original question:

    MFP's "If every day were like today..." is an estimate what you would weigh in 5 weeks if a number of conditions are true:

    1. You have accurately measured and logged calories eaten.
    2. You have accurately estimated calories expended in exercise.
    3. You accurately determined your activity level when setting up MFP.
    4. Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) is in a normal range.

    So if it's telling you that you'll weigh 159-160 (which I am presuming is below your current weight), and you're gaining rather than losing, then there's an inaccuracy in at least one of those 4 things.

    #4 is unlikely. Those of us who have lost significant amounts of weight do need less energy to maintain weight than people at the same weight who were never overweight (adaptive thermogenesis), but it's not a huge effect.

    #3 is possible. Some people "double-dip": they exercise a lot, so they set their MFP profile to "Active" or "Very Active," but then they also log calories from exercise. That's counting those calories twice. If you sedulously log all your exercise, set your activity level to "Sedentary" unless you really are that active not counting logged exercise.

    #2 is quite possible. MFP's database, and many heart rate monitors, overestimate calories burned in exercise, sometimes by 50% or more.

    And #1 is quite possible, even likely: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

    So if your results aren't matching the prediction, work on those, especially #1 and #2.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    I eat net 2000 calories a day, yo. ;) This means when I workout (6 days a week), I also eat back most (if not all) of those calories too, bringing it up to the 2300 - 2400 calorie range. EAT MORE! Unless you're on life support, you need substantially more calories than you are consuming. Google "Scooby calculator" and it will help you pick a more reasonable intake amount.
  • Morgaath
    Morgaath Posts: 679 Member
    Just started the working out thing? If so, water weight. Body hangs on to it to work on repairing stuff....after a bit your body adjust and WHOOSH! you lose a ton.

    So, you eat next to nothing, burn off just about that many cals in working out, and you are chasing a small child around, which burns off even more.... Yeah...this will go well.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    Yes, forgot to add... when you start a new exercise routine, your muscles do hang onto water weight and you will temporarily weigh more, but with continued workouts, your body will drop that water weight off. It happened to me when I first started too.
  • oneloopygirl
    oneloopygirl Posts: 151 Member
    I truly believe you are undereating... I'm just shy of 5'3" and I eat more than that and still lose. I think I've been ave. net calories of 1450 to 1500 in the past week and I've dropped a pound. eating below 1200 is not only not enough, it's unhealthy.
  • Iwishyouwell
    Iwishyouwell Posts: 1,888 Member
    Eating less than your 9 year old and gaining weight? Is your 9 year old downing 3k calories a day?
  • chrs86
    chrs86 Posts: 151 Member
    Maybe, I bet you are.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Maybe, I bet you are.


    awwww, someones hangry.... :flowerforyou:
  • michealashton
    michealashton Posts: 4
    I tried that one and it was saying my BMR was like 2200. That's MORE calories than I've been eating for the last year daily. So something's not right.
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    I'm 5'2, sedentary, and I eat 1500-1600 cal/day You're not eating enough.
  • KatAdele
    KatAdele Posts: 290 Member
    I'm 5'3", eat around 1650-1950 and have lost 45 lbs so far (I do workout six days a week too). I have gone through periods of not losing, but that usually means it's time to get stricter with weighing and measuring food again. Also, for me, mixing up workouts really helps. Your body gets used to the same workout all the time and it isn't as effective.

Categories