I'm Upping My Calorie Intake. Improved progress?

leep917

When I started my healthy life style journey MFP gave me a 1,200 calorie diet a day and I usually could only handle a 20 minute workout (burning around 200 calories) without over doing. However, three months and 24 pounds lost later I workout for about an hour and a half a day and feel amazing. MFP still has me set as 1,200 calorie diet which I stick to however, I usually eat a little back and eat around 1,300-1,350 calories a day because my body needs more nutrients to have energy to burn fat and complete my workout the next day. I had been plateauing for awhile and was stuck and as soon as I upped my calories a little I dropped 2.5 pounds by my next weigh in. Is that normal? Is it because I'm eating a bit more?

lin7604

yes it is... the same thing happened to me. i did the 1200 thing but it only last 2 months before plateau set in and i just couldn't do it. I upped to 1400 and i lost the same amount with eating more. I have always ate back almost all if not all of my exercise cals as well.. i think you are ready to stay above the 1200 mark for good!

leep917

Really? Thats great news! I'll up to 1350 and see if thats enough if not I'll do 1,400. I want to be healthy and give my body what it needs to stay energized. I'm happy to know my progress isn't just in weight loss but in fitness as well

ottermotorcycle

For MOST people, 1200 calories is NOT enough to live on. MFP just gives you that number because you're at a relatively healthy weight or you've decided to lose weight a little aggressively. Many people find that 1200 calories gives them negative effects - from a simple lack of energy during workouts to issues with binge eating and even eating disorder symptoms like brittle hair and nails and a damaged relationship with food.

I do not and would not recommend it to anyone. Eat and enjoy!

leep917

Thank you you're right! 1200 worked for me at first when I was doing very basic excerise and was trying to lose weight a little faster but I'm getting really close to my goal and I'm definitely more active and have a more athletic build now so I think its important to eat an appropriate amount for my body to do the things I want it to.

poke987

I'm in the same boat. I'm starting this week with my usual Monday weigh in, then I'm upping my calories to 1350 including eating back what I burn. Hopefully I continue to progress... I do feel like I'm in a different place than when I started! Good luck

leep917

Congrats to you! You're doing things the right way its a little weird going from 1,200 strictly to a hundred more calories but it'll be nice to have a little more wiggle room!