Calories and Weight Loss

Strength1986

So my fellow MyfitnessPal's friends I was wondering about how accurate the calories they recommend you eat are? My goal is to lose 30 more pounds and they say to eat 1200 calories a day, yet I have heard for others to eat 1500 and then other calories sites range from 1300 to 1800, how do you know what to eat. I just want to hit my goal weight...what do you all think?

Thanks

Holly_Roman_Empire

It's only as accurate as the information you put into it. 1200 for you, I would gather, is not going to cut it.

The simplest way for me to figure it out was this: Figure out your BMR, calculate your TDEE, eat somewhere in between those two numbers.

Strength1986

Why do you think the 1200 will not cut it? and probably a stupid question but what is a TDEE??

Thanks for your help

WBB55

You can guesstimate your TDEE here
http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/
or here
http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

What it is is the total number of calories you burn per day. I personally have a FitBit that I wear that tells me my TDEE every day. But using a guesstimate is also good. Basically, let's say your TDEE is 2300. If you eat 2050 every day, total, in calories, you'd lose about half a pound per week.

elbaldwin0525

I suggest starting at any calorie allowance you want...maybe 2000cals for a few weeks...if you lose, keep it there...if you gain or stay the same drop cals by 50-100cals. keep doing this until you reach your goal. Always Remember...everything works until it doesnt

Strength1986

Thanks. I am looking at it now!!!

TeaBea

It's only as accurate as the information you put into it. 1200 for you, I would gather, is not going to cut it.

The simplest way for me to figure it out was this: Figure out your BMR, calculate your TDEE, eat somewhere in between those two numbers.

This!^

MFP uses your BMR (basal metabolic rate) adds your activity level.....BUT allows you to put in the weekly weight loss goal. An aggressive weekly goal leads to a low number that people have a hard time maintaining. MFP does not include exercise up front. After you log exercise, more calories are added. So your daily goal is actually 1200 "net."

TDEE includes exercise up front....so you just remove a number of calories (off the top) to lose weight. Because BMR is the number of calories your body uses just to function...do not go below this number. Too few calories (for a period of time) leads to lean muscle loss.....as well as fat.

Strength1986

I suggest starting at any calorie allowance you want...maybe 2000cals for a few weeks...if you lose, keep it there...if you gain or stay the same drop cals by 50-100cals. keep doing this until you reach your goal. Always Remember...everything works until it doesnt

Thanks. I think I am going to try that. It just gets frustrating trying to lose weight...

Strength1986

It's only as accurate as the information you put into it. 1200 for you, I would gather, is not going to cut it.

The simplest way for me to figure it out was this: Figure out your BMR, calculate your TDEE, eat somewhere in between those two numbers.

This!^

MFP uses your BMR (basal metabolic rate) adds your activity level.....BUT allows you to put in the weekly weight loss goal. An aggressive weekly goal leads to a low number that people have a hard time maintaining. MFP does not include exercise up front. After you log exercise, more calories are added. So your daily goal is actually 1200 "net."

TDEE includes exercise up front....so you just remove a number of calories (off the top) to lose weight. Because BMR is the number of calories your body uses just to function...do not go below this number. Too few calories (for a period of time) leads to lean muscle loss.....as well as fat.

Thank You. I am going to look into this as well. I want to make sure that I am getting the correct intake. You all are great! THANKS

cwolfman13

So my fellow MyfitnessPal's friends I was wondering about how accurate the calories they recommend you eat are? My goal is to lose 30 more pounds and they say to eat 1200 calories a day, yet I have heard for others to eat 1500 and then other calories sites range from 1300 to 1800, how do you know what to eat. I just want to hit my goal weight...what do you all think?

Thanks

Your calorie goals are dependent on you inputs and stats, including your activity level. The more active an individual is, the greater their calorie requirements are...the more they can eat and still lose weight.

1200 is generally bare minimum for females with NO exercise. It is bare minimum for sedentary females and usually you get that with a 2 Lb per week loss rate goal which may or may not be realistic for you. 2 Lb per week doesn't sound like much, but from an energy standpoint, it means 1000 less calories per day less than what would be required for you to maintain weight...and that's quite a few calories.

Keep in mind that if you exercise you're supposed to bump your calories up to account for that activity...with MFP, you log it and get those calories to "eat back"...so if you exercise you will be eating more than 1200 calories. Still, 1200 is generally considered a pretty aggressive weight loss goal for most people and should generally be reserved for those who are obese with considerable fat stores to sustain such a large energy deficit.

Macstraw

I suggest starting at any calorie allowance you want...maybe 2000cals for a few weeks...if you lose, keep it there...if you gain or stay the same drop cals by 50-100cals. keep doing this until you reach your goal. Always Remember...everything works until it doesnt

Thanks. I think I am going to try that. It just gets frustrating trying to lose weight...

One thing to keep in mind when you start to get frustrated - we didn't put the weight on overnight, so we aren't going to lose it overnight either. Look long-term & track your trends over time, you will see your successes much more easily than trying to see them happen each & every day. You will have ups, downs & plateaus - they are all normal & a common occurrence. Just have faith in what you are doing, & over the long haul you will get to where you want to be as long as you stick to it.......

deksgrl

Provided you set it correctly, and understand how to use it, it is pretty accurate.

krennie8

aim to lose about a pound a week. That's reasonable and attainable. My guess is you set MFP at 2 lbs/wk which for someone with only 30 lbs to lose is going to be extremely hard.

eganita

You can guesstimate your TDEE here
http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/
or here
http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

What it is is the total number of calories you burn per day. I personally have a FitBit that I wear that tells me my TDEE every day. But using a guesstimate is also good. Basically, let's say your TDEE is 2300. If you eat 2050 every day, total, in calories, you'd lose about half a pound per week.

I had done this in the past to calculate my calorie amount. I think it sounds like a good system, though I have just switched to using this method.

I re-typed my info in today just as a check. I kept getting ridiculously low calorie amounts (i.e. BMR of 694) until I realized I was putting my height IN INCHES into the centimeters spot.

*BANGS HEAD OFF DESK*

LOL. That made a huge difference in the calculation. :P

Holly_Roman_Empire

I suggest starting at any calorie allowance you want...maybe 2000cals for a few weeks...if you lose, keep it there...if you gain or stay the same drop cals by 50-100cals. keep doing this until you reach your goal. Always Remember...everything works until it doesnt

Thanks. I think I am going to try that. It just gets frustrating trying to lose weight...

One thing to keep in mind when you start to get frustrated - we didn't put the weight on overnight, so we aren't going to lose it overnight either. Look long-term & track your trends over time, you will see your successes much more easily than trying to see them happen each & every day. You will have ups, downs & plateaus - they are all normal & a common occurrence. Just have faith in what you are doing, & over the long haul you will get to where you want to be as long as you stick to it.......

Sorry I'm just now coming back to this, but ^^^this is what I was going to follow up with.

It seems like a lot, but having "only" 30 pounds to lose, you're going to have to be patient. This is especially true as you come close to the finish line. There are no shortcuts. Cutting your calories more to get there sooner will probably only result in a body you are unsatisfied with once you get to goal weight.

Make alternate goals besides the scale. Take measurements, and make fitness goals. Take before pictures so you can see progress when you feel stuck.

Strength1986

I suggest starting at any calorie allowance you want...maybe 2000cals for a few weeks...if you lose, keep it there...if you gain or stay the same drop cals by 50-100cals. keep doing this until you reach your goal. Always Remember...everything works until it doesnt

Thanks. I think I am going to try that. It just gets frustrating trying to lose weight...

One thing to keep in mind when you start to get frustrated - we didn't put the weight on overnight, so we aren't going to lose it overnight either. Look long-term & track your trends over time, you will see your successes much more easily than trying to see them happen each & every day. You will have ups, downs & plateaus - they are all normal & a common occurrence. Just have faith in what you are doing, & over the long haul you will get to where you want to be as long as you stick to it.......

Sorry I'm just now coming back to this, but ^^^this is what I was going to follow up with.

It seems like a lot, but having "only" 30 pounds to lose, you're going to have to be patient. This is especially true as you come close to the finish line. There are no shortcuts. Cutting your calories more to get there sooner will probably only result in a body you are unsatisfied with once you get to goal weight.

Make alternate goals besides the scale. Take measurements, and make fitness goals. Take before pictures so you can see progress when you feel stuck.

On Sunday I am going to do measurements, make more goals, and take pictures as well. My mom, sister and I have decided to do the biggest loser against each others as an incentive to reach all of our goals. Thanks for all the advice and help. I really appreciate it.

Strength1986

hey everyone,

THANK YOU ALL for your response. They all have been extremely helpful and I am now feeling very optimistic about losing weight, counting calories and just feeling better about myself now that I have such a great group of help me out.

You all ROCK! :happy:

Strength1986

aim to lose about a pound a week. That's reasonable and attainable. My guess is you set MFP at 2 lbs/wk which for someone with only 30 lbs to lose is going to be extremely hard.

I did have it set as losing 2lbs a week and you are right it has been a little difficult. I just changed my weekly weight loss to 1lb and my calories went up too 1490, which is way more reasonable. Thanks Again!

deksgrl

That sounds a lot more reasonable, and something you will be able to stick with.