In need of some insight

dwozniak16

I'm still fairly new to using the MFP app, and I need a bit of help.

I started with around 100 pounds to lose. I've been eating between 1500-1920 calories a day, working out 5 days a week for an hour.
I've lost a little over 16 pounds in two weeks time. I completely stopped consuming pop, and redbull energy drinks. I've never been much of a water drinker, but I've been doing at least 5 16.9oz bottles a day. I'm thinking a lot of it is just water weight. I eat fairly well still (just cut out all the taco bell, french fries, Fast food in general) . I have granola cereal or raisin bran in the morning, or yogurt with a green smoothie. Then for lunch I rotate between chicken or turkey sandwiches with some form of veggie, or fruit and veggie chips, sometimes pretzels. Then for dinner I eat usually grilled chicken with tomatoes and onions on wheat wraps, I also have my daily medium iced coffee, and sneak frequently on veggies and fruit during the work day. I burn roughly 650-700 calories an hour at the gym doing cardio..

I'd like to think I'm following properly, but I'm still quite new to this whole thing..
I rarely eat back my workout calories unless I'm having a few beers... But I make sure to eat all my meals before considering extra calorie beverages.

I of course switch up my meals but I seem to eat sandwiches quite frequently... lol.

My question would be would I keep my net # at my calorie goal? Or just keep my food # at my goal?
I never really read up on how the app works.. I just try to stay in the calories. I don't want to harm my body by not doing it properly... Help would be awesome.

Am I doing something wrong? I feel great having lost what I have, but I do fear it is too much for such a short period of time.
My daily goal is 1,870 calories a day. Sedentary at 2 pounds per week.

thegreatcanook

That 16 lbs in a week is a lot, but not uncommon for someone with a lot to lose. But to lose that much a week for an extended period of time would be unhealthy. I wouldn't consume less that 1800 calories a day or you risk damaging your metabolism, especially with the calories you burn. I don't eat back my exercise calories unless I burn over 800. My calorie goal is 1900 but I am going up to 2000 next week. Feel free to add me and we can encourage each other!

cookmtn

MFP is set up for you to eat your exercise calories back. Because you are set to sedentary and 2 lbs a week, that is even more important. I would recommend eating at least half your exercise calories back as they are usually over estimates.
That IS fast weight loss but it is the beginning and will slow down. Please read the sticky posts at the beginning of the getting started forum. They helped me A LOT!

dwozniak16

That 16 lbs in a week is a lot, but not uncommon for someone with a lot to lose. But to lose that much a week for an extended period of time would be unhealthy. I wouldn't consume less that 1800 calories a day or you risk damaging your metabolism, especially with the calories you burn. I don't eat back my exercise calories unless I burn over 800. My calorie goal is 1900 but I am going up to 2000 next week. Feel free to add me and we can encourage each other!

It was over two weeks.
I lost 9 the first week, and 7 the second. Sometimes I find I'm forcing myself to eat when I'm not hungry just so the app doesn't say I'm having too little calories. I'm trying really hard though. I want to do this the right way, or I know I will fall off and give up.

MFP is set up for you to eat your exercise calories back. Because you are set to sedentary and 2 lbs a week, that is even more important. I would recommend eating at least half your exercise calories back as they are usually over estimates.
That IS fast weight loss but it is the beginning and will slow down. Please read the sticky posts at the beginning of the getting started forum. They helped me A LOT!

I figured that it was a temporary thing to lose that much that quickly and that it will slow down. I'm not sure If I was freaking out over nothing or if it was becoming an issue.. I will start trying to eat back half of my workout calories and see how that works for me.