Calories? Whats the right amount

smeasha21

Okay so I know if you eat too little you will "starve" yourself.
My daily intake is suppose to be 1200 calories (mfp suggestion) (I also try and stay within all my macros - not just calories)

My BMR is 1707 and my "no daily exercise" is 2050
Im aiming to lose 2 pounds per week so....here is my thought

I should eat a minimum of 1200 calories a day...however I should let my calorie intake fluctuate so my body doesnt see a pattern.

Would it be safe if I NET 710-1050 calories a day?

I figure this would keep me in a true -2lbs per week.

I'm no expert in this to say the least! But this is me trying to overthink and rationalize everything.

Thanks in advance!

and feel free to add me!

SW 225
CW 207
GW 160

27 Female
No kids
Full time desk Job

SezxyStef

MFP set you at 1200 due to your desire to lose 2lbs a week. With less than 50 that should be set at 1lb a week.

And no it's not safe to net 710-1050 calories a day. You are not fueling your body and will be missing out on valuable energy source and nutrients, your hair and nails will become brittle and you will be tired and lethargic.

If your BMR is 1707 you can easily lose weight on 1500 calories a day...or even 1700 a day...why not eat as much as you can and still lose a reasonable amount of weight?

TeaBea

Okay so I know if you eat too little you will "starve" yourself.
My daily intake is suppose to be 1200 calories (mfp suggestion) (I also try and stay within all my macros - not just calories)

My BMR is 1707 and my "no daily exercise" is 2050
Im aiming to lose 2 pounds per week so....here is my thought

I should eat a minimum of 1200 calories a day...however I should let my calorie intake fluctuate so my body doesnt see a pattern.

Would it be safe if I NET 710-1050 calories a day?

I figure this would keep me in a true -2lbs per week.

I'm no expert in this to say the least! But this is me trying to overthink and rationalize everything.

Thanks in advance!

and feel free to add me!

SW 225
CW 207
GW 160

27 Female
No kids
Full time desk Job

Not everyone is in a position to lose 2 pounds a week. If my BMR were 1707 then I would definitely NOT eat 1200 NET ......or even worse 700-1000 net per day. Here's why:

Your body is using 1707 calories without lifting a muscle. Heart, lungs, kidneys, etc. are using calories 24/7. When your body doesn't get enough nourishment, it needs to make choices. If your body needs more blood cells (for example) it can get some energy from fat (yeah!) ....but it also needs protein. So, your body will use existing muscle mass for fuel. Your body will fuel your heart before it will fuel your hair.

What's wrong with losing fat+muscle on very low daily calories? Healthy weight loss is reducing your body fat %. When people go on very restrictive diets the have a very good chance at re-gaining the weight. When you re-gain....you don't gain muscle....you just gain fat. You can actually INCREASE your body fat % this way.

Look for something that is sustainable.....some changes that you can live with forever. Maintaining a weight loss takes hard work.

MFP's suggestion was 1200 (net) because you supplied it with 2 pounds a week. 1200 (net) is just the lowest DEFAULT.....not a statement of what's healthy.

_lyndseybrooke_

MFP set you at 1200 due to your desire to lose 2lbs a week. With less than 50 that should be set at 1lb a week.

And no it's not safe to net 710-1050 calories a day. You are not fueling your body and will be missing out on valuable energy source and nutrients, your hair and nails will become brittle and you will be tired and lethargic.

If your BMR is 1707 you can easily lose weight on 1500 calories a day...or even 1700 a day...why not eat as much as you can and still lose a reasonable amount of weight?

x100

MBrothers22

If your BMR is 1707 you should be eating no less than that really. You "only" have 50 pounds to lose so it wouldn't be a good idea to eat less than your bmr

_HeartsOnFire_

MFP set you at 1200 due to your desire to lose 2lbs a week. With less than 50 that should be set at 1lb a week.

And no it's not safe to net 710-1050 calories a day. You are not fueling your body and will be missing out on valuable energy source and nutrients, your hair and nails will become brittle and you will be tired and lethargic.

If your BMR is 1707 you can easily lose weight on 1500 calories a day...or even 1700 a day...why not eat as much as you can and still lose a reasonable amount of weight?

this!

WaterBunnie

As the others have said, too drastic a deficit will not serve you well in the long run. You're also more likely to stick with it if you're not feeling too deprived.

deksgrl

Okay so I know if you eat too little you will "starve" yourself.
My daily intake is suppose to be 1200 calories (mfp suggestion) (I also try and stay within all my macros - not just calories)

My BMR is 1707 and my "no daily exercise" is 2050
Im aiming to lose 2 pounds per week so....here is my thought

I should eat a minimum of 1200 calories a day...however I should let my calorie intake fluctuate so my body doesnt see a pattern.

Would it be safe if I NET 710-1050 calories a day?

I figure this would keep me in a true -2lbs per week.

I'm no expert in this to say the least! But this is me trying to overthink and rationalize everything.

Thanks in advance!

and feel free to add me!

SW 225
CW 207
GW 160

27 Female
No kids
Full time desk Job

NO.

Set it for 1 pound per week. Add a little exercise.

Nice2BFitAgain

Keep in mind that as you reduce you weight/body size, your body needs less calories to fuel it. If you are starting you weight loss at such low numbers your body gets used to it and then you need even less to lose more toward the end when you are close to goal. If you start at 1700 or even 1600, you have room to reduce as needed. Give 1700 a try for 3-4 weeks and if you lose stick to it if not then lower it by 100 for a few weeks to see the result.