How many calories should I have - really?

iceey

MFP tells me my calorie intake should be 1200. Other websites I've seen tell me anywhere between 1350-1800! Big difference! How do I accurately determine my ideal calorie intake. I have been doing Turbo Fire for 2 months and sticking to about 1300 calories on average - no weight loss whatsoever! How did you determine your appropriate calorie intake?

Edestiny7

MFP tells you 1200 because it is removing 500 calories from what your normal maintenance calorie intake should be, but can not go below 1200. So on non-exercise days, you should consume the 1200 calories to lose weight. On exercise days, you should consume the 1200 PLUS the exercise calories burned to lose weight.

Sidesteal

I personally use the Katsch-McArdle equation as a baseline, but I also have a good estimate of my bodyfat percentage.

I would recommend one of two choices:

1) Check various online calculators, including MFP recommendations, and take an average value of your results, possibly discarding upper and lower values (Ex: If most of your estimates say that your maintenance is 1650, and you get one that says 2875, clearly you would discard this from your average).

and/or


2) Just arbitrarily choose a set point and monitor weight loss/energy levels over the course of a few weeks, adjust per results.

Lastly, if you choose method 1), keep in mind that these equations are finding your estimated maintenance intake. Subract roughly 20% from this value for weight loss at a moderate but not-too-aggressive pace.

lackie09

bump.... I would also like to know this mfp says i should get about 1880 and i have been sticking to about 1200-1300 seeing results but still interested

LTGPSA

I am going with the numbers given to me by this website, based on my personal statistics. Haven't compared to other websites. I eat most, if not all of my exercise calories and thus far it is working for me.

Suggest Searching and reading in the Message Boards. You'll find varying opinions, but some good information as well.

Good luck! :flowerforyou:

TKretzinger

I am staying with the 1200 that this site suggests. My doctor also said 1200 is the best to lose weight. It has been working for me. I still have a hard time even reaching 1200 when I use this site. When I have to write it down, I really watch what I'm doing.

kellyscomeback

I do 1200 plus eating back the calories I burn.

So for TF I burn about 400/hr so I'd eat 1200 + 400 = 1600 each workout day and about 1200 on my rest day.

Arabian♥Breeze

I don't mean this in a rude way at all ok! You look way too thin in that picture. Maybe you shouldn't be trying to loose weight but maintain it. Please talk to your doctor. I hate when i see thin people trying to loose weight. It's not safe.

Again I'm not trying to be rude ok xoxoox but if you do get offended please delete my post. i don't want to cross any lines. YOUR BEAUTIFUL XOXOXO

Mahalo

Sidesteal

EDIT: Reading comprehension fail on my part.

Arabian♥Breeze

Yea i just realized that on her profile says tone up. My bad lol well sorry at least she can take it as a complement. oxoxox

chickybuns

If you're trying to tone up and not lose weight you need to eat more especially protein. Turbo fire is a pretty intense program. I would try maybe try 1500 plus eating exercise calories. I've always heard it is ideal to keep a 300-500 calorie deficit. When I did tf I was eating over 2000 calories most days and had good results.

Silverkittycat

http://www.exercisebiology.com/index.php/site/articles/which_equation_to_calculate_my_daily_maintenance_calories/
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/how-to-estimate-maintenance-caloric-intake.html

iceey

No offence taken! I did say lose weight on my post. I should clarify - I am not weight conscious or trying to lose much weight - just a couple pounds and tone up. However, I'm certainly not too thin either. I'm probably average for my height. I have a healthy appetite and love food. But I don't obsess either. I agree - I see lots of people on here that are super thin trying to lose weight and I have issue with that. But I'm just really trying to figure out what's right for me. Thanks for nice words.

iceey

I should add - I do eat my exercise calories back - that's the fun part of working out!

Arabian♥Breeze

Xoxoxo your a sweetie too wow beautiful and sweet what a great mix! No I'm not hitting on you hahaahah lol