Am i doing this right?

Squipsy

I've been taking in only 1000 calories day (mind you, sometimes I get to 1200), and I am unsure how many calories I'm supposed to burn off in order to lose weight. I don't really understand how it all works, if someone could give me some help that would be amazing.

juggernaut1974

Am i doing this right?

Doesn't sound like it.

What is your current height & weight? How active are you?

diannethegeek

No, it doesn't sound like you're doing this right. The great thing about MFP is that it sets up a calorie goal for you that will allow you to lose weight without any exercise. That's why it adds extra calories to your goal when you log your workouts. Have you plugged your numbers in and tried eating the amount it tells you to?

If you haven't come across them yet, I always recommend starting with these links:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1296011-calorie-counting-101

And then read these when you're ready to take your logging accuracy to the next step:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1290491-how-and-why-to-use-a-digital-food-scale

Kanuenue

Without further pertinent details, I will only be able to point you in the right direction.

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

Ninkyou

No, it doesn't sound like you're doing this right. The great thing about MFP is that it sets up a calorie goal for you that will allow you to lose weight without any exercise. That's why it adds extra calories to your goal when you log your workouts. Have you plugged your numbers in and tried eating the amount it tells you to?

If you haven't come across them yet, I always recommend starting with these links:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1296011-calorie-counting-101

And then read these when you're ready to take your logging accuracy to the next step:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1290491-how-and-why-to-use-a-digital-food-scale

This.

No, you're not doing it right. You should be intaking 1200 calories, at minimum, without exercise factored in.

acorsaut89

I've been taking in only 1000 calories day (mind you, sometimes I get to 1200), and I am unsure how many calories I'm supposed to burn off in order to lose weight. I don't really understand how it all works, if someone could give me some help that would be amazing.

As a 20 year old female with 66 pounds to lose (as per your counter) . . . I would say uh, heck no you aren't. And be honest, do you really need to lose 66 lbs or is this a number you "think" you should be at? For example, did you just say one day that I want to weigh 110 lbs so what will it take to get me there? Is your end weight realistic for how tall you are and you body type/shape?

I am a 25 year old female, 5'9 (not sure how tall you are), I have about another 75 or 80 to lose and I eat around 2,000 per day. I think you need to figure out how your BMR and TDEE and go from there.

Essentially, if you have a deficit you will lose weight - period. BUT if it's too much of a deficit (IE - not healthy) then you'll not only lose fat but lean body mass too which is essentially muscle and that is a road you probably don't want to go down.

Hopefully you figure out what works for you!

Amanda

Squipsy

I weigh 180.2 at this moment, 5'4" and I go to the gym everyday, burn about 500 calories. I used to weigh 110 before I gained all this weight, so I guess I'd like to be as small as I used to be.

juggernaut1974

I weigh 180.2 at this moment, 5'4" and I go to the gym everyday, burn about 500 calories. I used to weigh 110 before I gained all this weight, so I guess I'd like to be as small as I used to be.

I used scooby's calorie calculator and put in your info (guessed when I wasn't sure)...google it if you want and plug in the actual info.

It shows you have an approximate BMR of 1638 and a TDEE (based on 3-5 hours a week of moderate exercise) of 2540. So somewhere in that range is what you should be aiming for, while keeping macro/micro nutrient needs in mind for overall health.

Probably somewhere around 2,000 calories a day would be optimal - but you'll need to use trial & error for a few weeks to adjust til it works.

acorsaut89

I weigh 180.2 at this moment, 5'4" and I go to the gym everyday, burn about 500 calories. I used to weigh 110 before I gained all this weight, so I guess I'd like to be as small as I used to be.

ceoverturf is probably pretty accurate at around 2,000 for you. This means you would net approx 1500, depending on the day because remember, even if you eat 2,200 calories and burn 500 your body is essentially only getting 1,700 worth of calories at the end of the day - these are your net calories.

I net about 1700 - 1900 depending on the day, but I am usually eating around 2,000 or 2,200 . . . . I weight train 3 days/week and do some form of cardio 2 - 3 days/week, depending on how I feel. However I have a lot more to lose than you do, so your goals should be customized based on individual goals and abilities - just giving an idea of what I've found works for me.

It will probably be a bit of trial and error, it has been for me at least!

Good luck and feel free to add me if you'd like - can chat about it some more if you ever need to

Amanda