Goal

Megmakesithappen
Megmakesithappen Posts: 17 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there,
I have about 40-50 pounds to loss. If I set my goal to 2 pounds/week I get 1330 calories/day. If I set it to 1.5 pounds/week I get 1580/day. If I set it to 1 pound/week I get 1840 calories/day. I have a lightly active job and aim to workout a couple times a week. What would you all suggest I set my goal to? I would like to see enough progress to stay motivated but also want it to be realistic. I enjoy a dinner out on Fridays and Saturdays and a few drinks those days so I have to work that in (maybe with my exercise calories). I figure if I set it to 1330 calories/day I will have to step up my workouts to daily because I know I need at least 200 more calories then that. Is that doable?
Thanks for your help!

Replies

  • ottermotorcycle
    ottermotorcycle Posts: 654 Member
    Do you know what your BMR is? You can calculate it here if you don't: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

    Whatever that number is, I would choose the weight loss option that is above it. From there you can be aggressive as you want. I know people like to contest this as a rule, but your body uses that number of calories to keep your organs functioning properly, so that's probably the limit on being sustainable for most people.

    You also have the option of cycling your calories and working with a weekly average. If you know you're going to eat, say, 2000 calories on the weekends, you may want to eat less during the week so that you're still losing weight at your desired rate.

    Also, just a friendly note - if you're going to go out and enjoy yourself on the weekends, especially with drinks, do NOT weigh yourself on Sunday! It'll just drive you crazy and it's not real weight gain anyway, just bloat.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    The best option is the healthy one that works for you but don't be in too much of a hurry to lose. It is ok to set a goal of 1-1.5lbs. a week instead of 2 lbs, especially for the amount you want to lose.

    This is well worth the reading:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

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