Is MFP setting my calories too low?

feydruss

My stats are as follows:
5'2"
currently 187.8lbs (as of this morning)
goal weight 140

I have 9m old twin boys, so I set my activity level to "lightly active". If I'm doing anything extra with them (like pushing the stroller on the trail) or carrying them both (nearly 40lbs!) around for half an hour, I log it. And of course I log time spent doing "real" exercise.

When I do a detailed calculation of my energy expenditure (based on x hrs sleeping, x hrs working, x hrs housework, etc.) it comes out to about 2300/day. Of course, I don't know how accurate that is!

But MFP keeps suggesting an intake of 1200/day for me, which seems a bit low. My BMR at my goal weight is more than that, and that's just to keep living, right?

Should I bump my calories up to 1400 or so?

kaitimae

If you log your exercise on here, MFP will add more calories to your daily goal! So yes, you should be eating more that 1200 if you are as active as you say you are - and with 9 month old twins, you are probably extremely busy!

SheilaSisco

RMR is the rate for you to just live... the number of calories you burn just being... like if you were in a coma. If you have your weight loss set at 2 pounds a week, that is likely why it has you set at 1200. If you are doing ok on that 1200, you're fine... If you start gaining, or are always tired/have no energy, are constantly hungry, etc, I'd say bump it up some. I have mine set to 1300 so I can go a tiny bit over the 1200 mark without it telling me I'm over for the day. 1200 is the MINIMUM recommended allowance, which means you should never be below that. What you do is ultimately up to you and your body... figure out what works for you and do that. If you think you need more, eat more... as long as you're NETTING over 1200 and under your BMR, you should lose.

kaitimae

Another idea - you could also change how much weight you want to lose a week. If you have it set at 2 right now, change it to 1, and you will get more calories. I just know that I tried to do 1,200 at one point, and it made me miserable. I actually have about 1800, and if I exercise, I end up eating 2000+ calories. I'd rather do it slow and eat a little more than restrict like crazy and be miserable.

melsinct

MFP is a program, it doesn't think. It will set you no lower than 1200 calories, so if you enter aggressive weight loss, i.e. 2 pounds/week, it will put you at 1200 calories. I bet if you set it for the recommended 1 pound/week, it will give you more to eat. Slow and steady wins the race!

reactor25

That does sound low. Try 1400 for a few weeks and see what you lose. If you are losing more than a pound a week you might even up your calories. It takes a little experimentation to figure your personal numbers out. MFP is a nice guideline or starting point, but it doesn't always get it perfect.

feydruss

Thanks guys! I've been managing on 1200 (net, of course), but I just wondered if my metabolism might be revved up a bit better if I ate a bit more.

Pebble321

That does sounds low for someone as active as you.
I suggest changing your weight loss to 1 or 1/2 pound a week and you will still lose weight, but have more nutrients to keep your body going while you do it.

Rae6503

That does sounds low for someone as active as you.
I suggest changing your weight loss to 1 or 1/2 pound a week and you will still lose weight, but have more nutrients to keep your body going while you do it.

This. Change it. And you'll be happier! Food is yummy.

anewrac

All of your comments are really interesting, I love this site!!!

Hirundo

Another idea - you could also change how much weight you want to lose a week. If you have it set at 2 right now, change it to 1, and you will get more calories. I just know that I tried to do 1,200 at one point, and it made me miserable. I actually have about 1800, and if I exercise, I end up eating 2000+ calories. I'd rather do it slow and eat a little more than restrict like crazy and be miserable.

that !
Specialy with kids, you want to be sure to have enough energy andnot have to restrict yourself on everything so you can enjoy it all a bit ...

feydruss

I've reset to 1400/day, which I think will help a little. The MFP seems to think that I burn a little more than 2000 calories a day, based on my stats and being "lightly active". I think it could be more, so adding a few more calories to the mix shouldn't hurt much! Better to go slow and be satisfied, right?