1740 calories a day?

horrorfan · June 2014

Hello,

Just recently I posted a topic asking about my calorie intake to lose weight. It originally was set at 1490 calories per day (I think at Sedentary), but everyone advised me to change my activity level to lightly active due to school and my job, which required me to be on my feet the whole shift, and they also advised me to set my goal for 1.5 lbs a week instead of two. I did all of those changes and my weight loss calorie goal changed to 1740.

I guess I'm just second guessing myself cause it seems like a lot. I mean, I don't struggle to eat 1700 calories. I don't feel hungry, but then again I never struggled for or felt hungry after 1490. I guess what I'm saying is, for a 18 year old, 5'4, 225 pound girl, who pretty much plays guitar all day and hangs out with friends or runs errands (nothing extremely active) is 1700 too much?

I'm starting a new job soon as a Cashier, so it isn't going to be quite as active as my last job where I was running around, taking orders, running food, cleaning, etc. This one will be a more light activity. Besides work, I haven't started working out yet. I just play my guitar or I hang out with my friends and we drive around or something, nothing big. Would this be considered sedentary or lightly active?

According to MFP, Sedentary at 2 lbs/week is 1230 calories while Lightly Active at 2 lbs/week is 1490 calories. At 1.5 Lightly Active it tells me 1740 calories and at 1.5 Sedentary I get 1480 calories.

I was thinking I could do 1500, cause its right inbetween, but I just don't know my calorie level.

I_Will_End_You · June 2014

I don't think 1740 sounds like too much. As you get smaller, your body will need less calories, then you may need to reassess your needs and drop your goal. I think 1740 sounds appropriate for your age, size and activity level. Just be sure you're logging accurately.

kgeyser · June 2014

I think 1740 sounds about right. Give it some time and see how much you lose; you can always tweak your calorie intake.

WalkingAlong · June 2014

I would do 1500. You have 80 lbs. to lose. Why drag it out? There's no reason you can't aim for 2 lbs/week. Ask your doctor, he'll confirm that.

littlekitty3 · June 2014

The slower the weight loss the easier it is to maintain the end result. Dont jump the gun and cut too many calories. If anything just evaluate your current diet and just make small changes (like instead of that candy bar eat fruit, instead of soda drink tea or water). Calorie counting can lead to obsessive behaviors later down the road. Not saying that you will, just saying from friends of mine.

nilbogger · June 2014

1740 sounds about right to me for your weight.

earlnabby · June 2014

1740 sounds perfect for your current weight and activity level. Remember, MFP reminds you to reset your goals every 10 lb. you lose so your calorie amount will continue to go down as your weight does. A steady deficit to lose 1.5 lb a week is much better for the long term than larger deficits. You said that you aren't hungry. This is a good thing and indicates that you are at a good number for fueling your body while still losing weight.

Aaron_K123 · June 2014

People only think that a diet with X calories in it sounds high because when they were actually overeating and gaining weight they weren't bothering to calorie count so they had no idea what there intake actually was. 1740 calories is not a lot of calories.