more or less calories

ballyclover007
ballyclover007 Posts: 14 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi guys...love this app find it very helpful...anyway can anyone offer some advice.I have a calorie target of 1900 a day. I often come in around 1500 a day. Is this the way to lose weight or should i be eating my full amount of calories but not more? Also how often do you up date your weight on fitness pal? Thanks in advance

Replies

  • Paco4gsc
    Paco4gsc Posts: 119 Member
    If your given target is 1900 a day, then coming in at 1500 once in a while is fine. However, it would be better to try to eat closer to your goal otherwise it defeats the purpose of having that goal in the first place. It's also fine to eat a little bit over your goal calories as long as you stay within an overall deficit.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    You should try to eat your goal as often as possible. Coming in under or over every once in a while won't hurt you, but you should really try to stick to your goal, since your deficit is already built into that goal.
  • Watermelon_Crush
    Watermelon_Crush Posts: 170 Member
    I would agree with the posts above but also add...

    If you're coming in at 1500 cals and actually feel satisfied and full, then I wouldn't force yourself to eat more....cos your body is obviously happy with what it has.

    However, if you're eating 1500 cals and your body is telling you you're hungry, then yes, go up to your 1900, or at least closer to.
  • ballyclover007
    ballyclover007 Posts: 14 Member
    Thank you guys..without the excersize i nearly always come near my target with it i am about 500 shy....problem is when i do eat my target it says in 5 weeks i ll weight more than do now
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Thank you guys..without the excersize i nearly always come near my target with it i am about 500 shy....problem is when i do eat my target it says in 5 weeks i ll weight more than do now

    Okay, first you can usually ignore the "If every day were like today" message when you close out your diary. It's almost never right.

    Second, you should be eating back your exercise calories but be aware that MFP or gym machines may overestimate the calories burned for certain forms of exercise. Now knowing what you're doing or how you're estimating your burn I don't know if it's applicable for you. But a lot of users here aim to eat 50-75% of their exercise calories just to be safe.
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    It depends on how you have your goals set up with MFP.

    If you're set for a small goal (such as .5-1 pounds per week) and get 1900, and you are not very active: then eating 1500 is probably fine. Judge by how you feel.

    If you have a larger goal (1.5-2 pounds per week) and/or you're fairly active, and get 1900 as a target its probably best that you eat more.
  • ballyclover007
    ballyclover007 Posts: 14 Member
    Thank you..the machines I use all have my weight and age entered for a more accurate result...so if i understand you right if my target is 1900 but i burn 500 at gym.. taking me 500 under my target i should eat back at least 250?
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    That is the safest method. Machines, even when they have your info, are notoriously high. The most reliable estimate is a heart rate monitor.

    And also judge by how you feel. Some days you may need more, some days you may not.
    Thank you..the machines I use all have my weight and age entered for a more accurate result...so if i understand you right if my target is 1900 but i burn 500 at gym.. taking me 500 under my target i should eat back at least 250?

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