How many calories should I be eating?

Sweeting8st

Hi, I'm pretty new to mfp having lost 70lbs following ww over the past few years.
Stats:
29
5'2
136lbs with a goal weight of between 8 and 9st,
I am exercising 6 days a week, currently 30 day shred but also swimming once a week usually a mile, a session at the gym if I can there (mum of two with partner who works away through the week). And general dumb bell, jump road, squats at home.
Anyway, I have been following mfp's recommended 1200 cals but I am starving on that amount. I feel weak and I wake in the night (when I eventually get sleep) so hungry and in the morning I can't get my breakfast fast enough! I get in a load of protein (my diet is very clean generally but I enjoy a night once a week where I'll have a dessert.) anyway, should I continue with mfp goal calorie intake or use iifym or fat2fit for eg? I really want to lose this weight in time for my wedding this December but I am lost for where to go from here.
I'd eally appreciate any advice as I'm getting mixed advice ATM people saying I'm not having enough.

skinnyEmilijah

For me, I prefer either Fat2Fit or Scooby calculator. I'm 5'1", and I can't eat at 1200 either. I'm hungry even at what I'm doing now and I can have around 1600.

Sweeting8st

Thanks for the reply. Really appreciate it. Are you losing well on that amount? On fat2fit is says I should be having 1558 or 1785 cals (lightly active) are these the numbers I should be looking at? Or the bmr which is 1420? I'm so lost.

Mr_Knight

All the numbers are estimates. Pick one and stick to it consistently for 3-4 weeks, the scale will tell you if you need to adjust up or down.

Good luck!

__freckles__

All the numbers are estimates. Pick one and stick to it consistently for 3-4 weeks, the scale will tell you if you need to adjust up or down.

Good luck!

^^Winner, winner chicken dinner.

OP - a calculator is just a starting point. You have to use trial and error to figure out the number of calories that work best for you.

Good luck! :flowerforyou:

Sweeting8st

Thanks so much for the replies. I will do as suggested. Just scared to add more cals now but I guess it's the only way to find something that works. Thanks again

skinnyEmilijah

Thanks for the reply. Really appreciate it. Are you losing well on that amount? On fat2fit is says I should be having 1558 or 1785 cals (lightly active) are these the numbers I should be looking at? Or the bmr which is 1420? I'm so lost.

My BMR is 1460. I'm eating at 1600 because it's between the active and sedentary. I fell off the wagon before now (have been on track for less than a week), but in the past I've lost on fat 2 fit numbers. I should be using the lightly active numbers, but since I'm just starting out, I wanted to speed up my initial weightloss for extra motivation to stick to it this time.

AliceDark

Thanks for the reply. Really appreciate it. Are you losing well on that amount? On fat2fit is says I should be having 1558 or 1785 cals (lightly active) are these the numbers I should be looking at? Or the bmr which is 1420? I'm so lost.

Seems like you should be looking at the "lightly fit" number. Not your BMR -- this is the number of calories your body would need if you literally laid in bed all day and didn't move.

__freckles__

Thanks so much for the replies. I will do as suggested. Just scared to add more cals now but I guess it's the only way to find something that works. Thanks again

Don't be scared. More calories = more delicious food. Some people like to starve, but personally I like to eat AS MUCH FOOD AS POSSIBLE and still lose weight.

lemurcat12

Remember that MFP's 1200 is net--you'd eat back exercise calories (modified because they tend to be overstated).

Or you can estimate your activity over the week and do a TDEE-based number, but they probably won't be very different.

Sweeting8st

Thanks again everyone. You've really helped me out. Going to shoot for the sedentary level for a week or two and then see what's happening. Yep definitely love my food and would ideally like to eat as much as possible

__freckles__

Thanks again everyone. You've really helped me out. Going to shoot for the sedentary level for a week or two and then see what's happening. Yep definitely love my food and would ideally like to eat as much as possible

Just beware anytime you increase calories you may gain a little water weight. That's why it's better to test closer to 6 weeks so your body has time to adjust and you can really see if your weight goes down.