Calories

ASH2038602

I have been trying to stay in the 1200-1500 calorie range. I am usually closer to 1200. I feel full on that, but allow myself up to 1500 if not. Also, I do not have a food scale yet (going to try and get one this weekend) so it is possible I am just eating more than I think I am.I keep reading that 1200 is too low. My BMR is 1748 is that the number I subtract 500 from for weight loss? Or from my TDEE which is 2557? Which seems too high. I have been losing weight steadily since May, but all these people posting about 1200 calorie diets are kinda freaking me out lol. I am just trying to get opinions from people that understand better than I do. I don't know if you need this information, but I am 25, 5'6, as of today I weigh 217*cringe* and I go to the gym 5 days a week doing 45-60 minutes of cardio and lifting weights. Other than the gym I am a stay at home mom, so not very active. I am sure a lot of you are sick of reading about the 1200 calorie diets, sorry. I really just want to be as healthy as possible through this process.

3dogsrunning

Your deficit should come from your TDEE, not from your BMR.
Which activity level did you pick?

If you aren't using a food scale there is a chance you are over estimating so I wouldn't panic just yet.

ASH2038602

I entered that I exercise 5 times a week.

shmulyeng

If you don't have a scale you most definitely are eating more than you think. I'm 9 months into this and still constantly amazed how I fool myself if I don't weigh. Always weigh all solids. Never use TSP or TBS measurement. They won't be accurate. Ounces and grams is more accurate.

CallMeCupcakeDammit

Read this. The information below came from this link, too. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets Also, I agree with the weighing. I weigh everything. Ice cream, peanut butter, protein powder...yeah, everything.

As a rule of thumb, the following weekly targets would give a balance between minimizing these negative side effects and seeing a reasonable weekly weight loss:
More than 75 lbs: 2 lbs/week
40-75 lbs: 1.5 lbs/week
10-40 lbs: 1 lb/week
Less than 10 lbs: 0.5 lb/week

ASH2038602

I have been meaning to get a scale, because as of now I am measuring everything in terms of cups, and tbs, tsp. I have been losing 2-3lbs a week, and I will definitely look over that information. Thank you.

nutmegoreo

Your TDEE sounds about right to me considering your other stats. Of course, it is still just an estimate. You are most likely eating more than you think. I am still amazed at how tiny a single serving is. Are you eating back exercise calories? If you are getting those burns from the MFP database, you are likely getting an inflated burn estimate as well.

In summary:
1. Weigh your foods for better accuracy.
2. If you are doing TDEE method, subtract 500 (your number stated previously), don't eat back exercise cals, be accurate and honest in your logging and reassess effect in a month
3. If you are following MFP method, eat back only 50-75% of cal burns to compensate for errors, be honest anx accurate in logging, reassess in one month
4. As a SAHM, you are not sedentary, kids keep you moving, don't sell yourself short there :flowerforyou:

ETA: 2-3 lbs/week is pretty aggressive cutting. You may find it difficult to sustain what you are doing, plus larger cuts = more lost muscle mass.

ASH2038602

I have not been eating back exercise calories. I thought 2lbs a week was OK, because of my current weight. I definitely don't want to lose muscle though. Maybe I just need to go ahead and make the DR's appointment that I have been debating on making. Thank you so much for all of your replies, I really appreciate all of the advice.