Lets be Realistic-Help with Calories

ReneeDawalga5100
ReneeDawalga5100 Posts: 177 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have been following a 1200 calorie diet for a few months now and can stick to it well. I have a fitbit one and am dabbling in running. I looked at my settings and currently MFP has me set to loose 1.5 pounds per week, and if I change that to 1 pound per week then it would give me 1240 for a daily allowance. I know a lot of people loose weight while eating more calories but because I lack the nutritional knowledge I follow what MFP tells me to with the exception of exercise calories. If I need a wee bit, then I will take them but I find that with my one, it will add extra calories if I run early, but then will take them away if I don't move much after. So I am a little cautious.

I am not looking to starve myself, and I have no due date but I just am looking to get fitter, and loose some weight and pick up running.

I really don't understand BMR and TDEE and I've tried looking into it but really goes over my head.

Here are my current stats:

*** Just as a background, I gained this weight over 2013 due to having surgeries (oophmectomy and double mastectomy with reconstruction), and before that I stayed a steady 138. My body is different, I have these giant implants and went through menopause (can't take any hormones). I want to get control of my life again and I waited until I was ready, instead of starting earlier. I have nothing holding me back anymore.

5' 2", age 28.5 (I'm not 29 yet)
SW 167
CW 156
GW 145 or who really knows, maybe lower like 140 (dream would be 134 but I'm not sure If I have it in me).


Any advise on what intake would be healthy is much appreciated.

XO- Renee

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    you can turn off the negative Fitbit adjustments, somewhere bottom left on the relevant screen (I forget where).

    Aiming for 1 lb/week to get the basic cals up to 1240 will avoid the math error that MFP would otherwise make, try that for a while.
  • ReneeDawalga5100
    ReneeDawalga5100 Posts: 177 Member
    Thanks
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    You have what, 10lbs left to lose? 1 lb a week is still a little high, I'd switch to .5 lb a week.

    What is your Fitbit giving you for average numbers. Why not use that to help determine your calorie goal?
  • tibby531
    tibby531 Posts: 717 Member
    I would log your runnings and eat the calories back. I realize everyone's different, blah blah blah, but I wasn't eating enough when I started running, and instead of losing fat, I lost muscle mass in my thighs.

    best of luck!
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Here are a couple links that might help...

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13

    TL:DR ->http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Also another good read to break it all down
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • brosis85
    brosis85 Posts: 114 Member
    I would say that 1200 calories is likely too low ... as previously mentioned, you probably want to eat some of your workout calories back.

    I cycle calories so my diary may not be overly helpful, but feel free to add me and we can chat more - see if there is any way I can help you out!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    If you don't want to bother with eating your exercise calories back, then I'd set your MFP activity level to moderately active (or whatever they have that is similar) change to lose .5 or 1 lb per week and follow that plan.

    If you are set as sedentary and not eating your exercise calories back, then you are not eating what MFP tells you. Follow the plan. It works.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    If you don't want to bother with eating your exercise calories back, then I'd set your MFP activity level to moderately active (or whatever they have that is similar) change to lose .5 or 1 lb per week and follow that plan.

    If you are set as sedentary and not eating your exercise calories back, then you are not eating what MFP tells you. Follow the plan. It works.

    MFP's activity levels do not account for exercise. Even if you choose very active, it still expects you to log exercise and eat them back. The levels are for daily life, like jobs that may be more active than others.

    OP - if you want to do it that way, you can use a TDEE calculator, but I also believe your Fitbit will give you a TDEE estimate. You can manually change it the Fitbit TDEE-15 or 20%.
  • ReneeDawalga5100
    ReneeDawalga5100 Posts: 177 Member
    Thanks guys.

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