calorie maintenance level

angelsandwolves09
angelsandwolves09 Posts: 264 Member
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
So I was doing some reading about this "diet" called "The Lose Weight Diet"....it pretty much explains what you have to do to lose weight and keep it off effectively...it went through everything pretty thoroughly except the calorie maintenance level. I used the "calculator" to come up with a rough estimate of mine and it was around 2500 cals a day. My question is, Do any of you know if MFP automatically factors that stuff into the daily intake/net cals? And if it doesn't does that mean I need to be taking in 2000 a day instead of MFP's recommended 1250?

Replies

  • grizzlymaze
    grizzlymaze Posts: 185 Member
    good question. But do you want to maintain your current wieght or lose?
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    This thread explains quite well how MFP calculates goals, deficits, etc.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits

    Good luck!
  • WhiteStar2351
    WhiteStar2351 Posts: 87
    1250 is definitely too low for anybody not in a coma!

    To get a rough estimate as to your maintenance calories you need to know your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), and then use the Harris-Benedict equation to factor in your lifestyle. Knock 250 calories off the total, and make sure you burn another 250 a day through exercise, and the weight will be dropping off in no time.

    Always remember though, only YOU know what your maintenance calories are. Carefully record everything you eat and drink for 1-2 weeks and look at your weight.

    - If its increasing then you're eating above maintenance - average out your calories over the log period and drop it by about 20% and try again.
    - If it remains unchanged - thats your maintenance amount. Do as above and drop 250cals + 250cals exercise per day
    - If you're losing weight you probably haven't been honest with yourself over the log period (if you were eating that amount/type of food regularly you wouldn't have reached the weight you are unhappy with). Stick with it until weight loss slows and then lower the calories a small amount.

    Use this link to calculate your BMR:
    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

    Use this link to get the Harris-Benedict Equation (you need your BMR):
    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/
  • Robin1117
    Robin1117 Posts: 1,768 Member
    Ladyhawk--thanks for the link--that was very helpful!
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Ladyhawk--thanks for the link--that was very helpful!

    Quite welcome! Good luck to you!
  • angelsandwolves09
    angelsandwolves09 Posts: 264 Member
    grizzlymaze- I am wanting to lose weight.

    ladyhawk- Thanks for that link!! It explained it all!!
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Happy to help! :flowerforyou:
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