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not adding up...

chattychick
Posts: 90 Member
I lost 2.4 pounds this week. According to MFP guidelines I was at/ slightly under calorie goals every day. I programmed to lose 1 pound per week. So either my calories burned while exercising is off (and I am actually burning more than what the computer says) or my basal metabolic rate is actually higher than what MFP calculates.
While I am so, SO happy with a 2.4 pound loss I just want to make sure that I am not setting myself up for long term failure. So- should I eat a little more or would you just see what happens and then modify after a few weeks if necessary?
While I am so, SO happy with a 2.4 pound loss I just want to make sure that I am not setting myself up for long term failure. So- should I eat a little more or would you just see what happens and then modify after a few weeks if necessary?
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Replies
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First of all Congrats! Second I would definitely invest in a heart rate monitor with a strap. That way you know the calories burned because MFP is usually way off what my HRM says. If you can't afford one I would just see how it goes for a couple weeks. If you stay under calories and burn 3,500 extra calories during the week you should loose about 2lbs. Good Luck0
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I wouldn't worry about it, the maths behind weight loss is not an exact science - your body has a mind of it's own and will basically do as it pleases, you should just see it as a guide rather than something that is set in stone.0
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There are also things like temporary fluid shifts and the more variable calories expended during casual activity. At your weight, a 2.4 lb loss in one week is not that drastic. You might find that it evens out more next week, or it may be that you are underestimating your intake.
I wouldn't worry about it. Weight loss does not occur in a linear direction--it's more of a sawtooth. And it doesn't necessarily follow a day-to-day cycle.
If your program is working, just stick with it.0 -
I wouldn't worry about it, the maths behind weight loss is not an exact science - your body has a mind of it's own and will basically do as it pleases, you should just see it as a guide rather than something that is set in stone.0
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I agree...I think it's important for us to keep in mind that this whole calorie/weight loss thing is not an absolute sciend (like, say, gravity). Even though the equation is basically "eat less, exercise more," there are many variables that come into play on a day to day, season to season basis that impact the weight loss curve.
I do find that my graph is not so much a curve as a sawtooth as Asdak mentioned...a downward trending sawtooth, but still a sawtooth. Up a little one day, down more the next.
So...I add my voice to the "don't worry too much about it" group. Stay strongly focused on your eating/exercise routine with MFP to help you, and think more in terms of the long term trend than the short term ups and downs.0
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