If 1500 calories is min a guy should consume why is my goal

gargoyle999
gargoyle999 Posts: 117 Member
edited September 29 in Food and Nutrition
I read a lot of people here post that men should not eat less than 1500 calories in a day. Yet my MFP goal on a sedentary day is 1230 (5'9" 196lb). If I have a sedentary day and don't exercise I should only eat 1230 if I follow the MFP plan.

Most days it is not a problem for me because I do exercise and eat about 75% of my exercise calories back. But I tweaked something in my calf at the very start of a jog this morning so I'm taking today off from exercise and it really is a sedentary day.

What are your thoughts on guys eating less than 1500 calories on a sedentary day? And if it is bad why wouldn't MFP set the minimum different for guys vs girls?

Replies

  • Romba
    Romba Posts: 164 Member
    i agree with you, it's pretty generic when it comes to guys v/s girls...I'd probably read some articles on eatbetteramerica.com and self.com and prevention.com they always have great tips and answers to questions like that.
  • CraigIW
    CraigIW Posts: 176
    Mine has been at 1200 since I started and it seems to work well. I'm not starved all the time but I do need to be careful what I eat in terms of calories. I've lost about 2lbs a week since starting.
  • korygilliam
    korygilliam Posts: 594 Member
    It is because it is counting in the 500 calorie/day deficit for you to lose weight. (It is automatically calculated into your goal calories, that is why you are supposed to eat back what you exercise to make your end net = your goal...because it is already built into the system)
  • Avalonis
    Avalonis Posts: 1,540 Member
    First of all, the 1200/1500 calorie guidelines are just that. Guidelines!

    Second of all, the reason MFP set you to 1230 calories is because you have it set to lose 2 lbs a week, right? Bump it up to 1 lb a week, and you will be able to eat 1700 calories a day. Thats kind of your choice either way.

    If light jogging is your only exercise: I would eat what MFP states for you to eat, and when you exercise eat back at least about half of what you burn.

    The last thing you want to do is slow down your metabolism because you aren't eating enough.
  • MassiveDelta
    MassiveDelta Posts: 3,271 Member
    I read a lot of people here post that men should not eat less than 1500 calories in a day. Yet my MFP goal on a sedentary day is 1230 (5'9" 196lb). If I have a sedentary day and don't exercise I should only eat 1230 if I follow the MFP plan.

    Most days it is not a problem for me because I do exercise and eat about 75% of my exercise calories back. But I tweaked something in my calf at the very start of a jog this morning so I'm taking today off from exercise and it really is a sedentary day.

    What are your thoughts on guys eating less than 1500 calories on a sedentary day? And if it is bad why wouldn't MFP set the minimum different for guys vs girls?

    Bump to read later
  • gargoyle999
    gargoyle999 Posts: 117 Member
    Thanks for the replies. I am set at 2lbs per week. I guess I just think it is interesting that there is a "hard" limit of 1200 that is the number I see mentioned for ladies. But no such limit at 1500 for men.
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