Confused about my calorie intake?? Help please!

AllieB

When I go to My Home, settings, and than update my diet. I put it what I weigh, how much I want to weigh,and my age and height. It tells me to aim for 1200 calories a day. When I go to my BMR it tell me to have 1412 calorie intake a day. I am not having a problem with the 1200 calories a day so far. I am working out so I usually gain about 400-600 calories back depending on the workout. I have just started to go back and try to eat the calories I gained back. What do you all think I should do? Stick to the 1200?

joejccva71

You should never eat below your BMR. Your BMR is how many calories you would burn if you were comatose. Once you have your BMR number then you need to multiply it by your Activity Level to get your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expedenture). Then you eat at a 20-40% deficit from the TDEE number.

lijparsons

The BMR 1412 is the number of calories your body will burn if you sat and did nothing all day. 1200 NET is what you should be aiming for in order to create a deficit.

bcattoes

Eat mostly healthy foods (at least 80% of the time) avoiding processed (white) grains and sugar, eat enough so that you are not hungry, stop when you are full. That's the best advice I can think of.

JenOman

I was eating 1200 calories for 6 months and losing fine and then for 6 weeks I was at the same weight every Monday when I weigh myself. So I bumped my calories up to net of 1400 and I have gone down two pounds in the last week. So I think I'll stick with 1400 for a while. You just have to listen to your body and decide what is best for you. But bcattoes' advice is good, even when I was at 1200 calories, I never let myself feel hungry

rainbowbuggy

You should never eat below your BMR. Your BMR is how many calories you would burn if you were comatose. Once you have your BMR number then you need to multiply it by your Activity Level to get your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expedenture). Then you eat at a 20-40% deficit from the TDEE number.

But......How do you get your activity level?

AllieB

So if I go by my BMR number than how do I change it on my profile so that is the number I go by everyday because they have me set at 1200 calories instead of 1415

AllieB

I was eating 1200 calories for 6 months and losing fine and then for 6 weeks I was at the same weight every Monday when I weigh myself. So I bumped my calories up to net of 1400 and I have gone down two pounds in the last week. So I think I'll stick with 1400 for a while. You just have to listen to your body and decide what is best for you. But bcattoes' advice is good, even when I was at 1200 calories, I never let myself feel hungry

Yes, that I make sure I never do. Maybe I will bump it up a little to see what happens

mrmanmeat

So if I go by my BMR number than how do I change it on my profile so that is the number I go by everyday because they have me set at 1200 calories instead of 1415

Goals > Change Goals > Custom

AllieB

Thanks everyone! Hope this works!