How Accurate Is My Calorie Goal?

MeredithLee11

I'd just like everyone's input on this. I'm 23 and about 5'4" and my current weight is 130. My goal weight is 120. I would consider my day-to-day lifestyle pretty sedentary; I have to go out of my way to exercise since I don't get to move around a lot for my job (I'm a pharmacy student doing 6-week internships. Recently I was working in an outpatient office so I sat all day, and starting on Monday I'll hopefully be on my feet more in a community pharmacy). MFP calculated my net calorie goal as 1200/day for a 0.9lb/week weight loss. That seems like not enough calories since it's recommended that women don't have less than 1200. I don't feel like I need to lose the weight that fast, as long as it's by summer.
What's everyone's thoughts on this?

cerysrhi

you could change your goal to half a lb for more cals and your exercise will earn you bonus cals try not to have your net cals below 1200

ladyhawk00

Since you're already pretty lean, I would say your loss goal should be no more than 1/2 lb per week. Here is a great thread that might help you determine what your goals/deficit should be. Good luck to you!

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

MeredithLee11

Since you're already pretty lean, I would say your loss goal should be no more than 1/2 lb per week. Here is a great thread that might help you determine what your goals/deficit should be. Good luck to you!

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

Thank you to everyone for your input. I readjusted my goal to lose 1/2 lb per week which puts me at 1410 cal/day. That sounds much better to me without being too easy. If I get the minimum of 1/2 lb per week weight loss then I'll reach my goal at the end of June, which sounds okay to me.

ladyhawk00

Since you're already pretty lean, I would say your loss goal should be no more than 1/2 lb per week. Here is a great thread that might help you determine what your goals/deficit should be. Good luck to you!

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

Thank you to everyone for your input. I readjusted my goal to lose 1/2 lb per week which puts me at 1410 cal/day. That sounds much better to me without being too easy. If I get the minimum of 1/2 lb per week weight loss then I'll reach my goal at the end of June, which sounds okay to me.

Quite welcome. If you're doing some cardio and strength training, you should be able to add muscle tone and that will help burn off those last few pounds. Give it a few weeks at that level and see where you're at. Since you said you're starting a new rotation that will include a bit more activity, I would keep an eye on how you're feeling. I'd say keep your activity level at sedentary for now, but if you start feeling tired, fatigued, REALLY hungry a lot, etc, then you might bump it up to lightly active. Also, don't forget to drink your water (it's VITAL), and make sure you're paying attention to your macros (protein/fat/carbs.) Get lots of lean protein, and enough good fats and good carbs. Watch your sodium levels, as well. When you're pretty close to goal weight, getting off those last few pounds requires being a bit more vigilant in accurately accounting for cal intake and exercise, and quality of the cals. Stay focused and you can certainly get there. :flowerforyou:

MeredithLee11

Ok, so now I'm on my feet all day but pretty much standing in one place and doing very little walking around. I think I'm inclined to keep my activity as "sedentary", but what does everyone else think?

ajbeans

Ok, so now I'm on my feet all day but pretty much standing in one place and doing very little walking around. I think I'm inclined to keep my activity as "sedentary", but what does everyone else think?

The descriptions for the activity levels will tell you what you should choose. Spending most of the day on your feet qualifies as "lightly active" according to the descriptions.

MeredithLee11

Ok, so now I'm on my feet all day but pretty much standing in one place and doing very little walking around. I think I'm inclined to keep my activity as "sedentary", but what does everyone else think?

The descriptions for the activity levels will tell you what you should choose. Spending most of the day on your feet qualifies as "lightly active" according to the descriptions.

Yea, I did read that, but does going from sitting to standing really make a huge difference if I'm not moving around like a nurse or a salesman (both of whom walk around all day)?