I am thinking of upping my net calories... what are your tho

silhouettes
silhouettes Posts: 517 Member
edited October 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I had my calories set for 995 goal each day and I have had it that way for months now... I would eat at LEAST 1200 a day, because I would force myself to exercise at least the 205 a day to add up to 1200, but I found myself struggling lately to exercise at least 205 everyday/feeling not full at the end of the day.

I have no job right now and I just stay at home all day... I'm not very active, I don't get out of the house to much, except to exercise.... which is the reason I set it down so low in the first place.. because I wasn't really loosing....

But now I'm debating putting it back to 1200 and trying to just eat as little as possible from the exercise calories I get on the days I exercise as possible... but this decision is a struggle for me.. so I thought I would ask your guy's opinions... what do you think?

(AND PLEASE realize I always eat the 1200 minimium, I just have it set low to enourage that as my net for the day... but I am thinking of upping the net)

Thanks!!!

Replies

  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    I would just set MFP at a 1 pound/week weight loss, set your activity level to "sedentary" and eat what it tells you to. Congrats on your weight loss so far, you are doing a fantastic job!
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    Raise them for a few weeks and see how it effects your weight loss. You can always go back down.
  • Tujitsu56
    Tujitsu56 Posts: 392 Member
    If you increase your calorie count, just try to make sure that you can stay or get back on track. You don't want to start eating bad foods and go back to an unhealthy lifestyle.

    I finally lost a little more after starting to consume more calories. The problem is, I still don't have much energy for the workout routine I am currently doing (INSANITY). I might up my calorie intake again.
  • silhouettes
    silhouettes Posts: 517 Member
    If you increase your calorie count, just try to make sure that you can stay or get back on track. You don't want to start eating bad foods and go back to an unhealthy lifestyle.

    I finally lost a little more after starting to consume more calories. The problem is, I still don't have much energy for the workout routine I am currently doing (INSANITY). I might up my calorie intake again.

    I haven't changed the way I eat really, I just keep going over calories and it's fusterating... I want to see the green and not be discouraged... another reason I was thinking of upping them is because for 3 days out of a month, I will be on the road in a semi with my husband and it's hard to get much exercise.. considering it's scary dark when it's time to park for the night and it's so hard to get a decent 3 meals on the road with just 995 calories... I finally decided cereal and a fruit would make a decent breakfast under 200 and a sub for lunch would be around 500 or so and that only leaves 300 for dinner.. I find I get discouraged and go WAY over when I see that's almost impossible on the road.. but if I see 500, the same as lunch, maybe I would find it easier to not go over... was just my thinking.... and by the way I am starting to hate those 3 days of the month, but I've only done it twice, it will get better right? lol
  • windyweather88
    windyweather88 Posts: 52 Member
    I'm having the same realization. My goal was around 1400 calories, but always went under sometimes by 200-300 calories. Being that I used to be very active, I have a good understanding of when my body is doing well and when it's not. After of week of my low calorie in-take, instead of feeling energized from a workout, I was more tired throughout the day. I also started getting headaches more frequently and stopped seeing an improvement in endurance during workouts. Feeling weaker at something that used to be easier, is NEVER a good sign. Calculate your BMR and stick to the calories it says. Now I just need to take my own advice!
  • Bailey543
    Bailey543 Posts: 367 Member
    I would play around with it, see what happens. Good luck either way!
  • SparkleShine
    SparkleShine Posts: 2,001 Member
    So if you're only set at 995 and you exercise to burn 205...you are only netting 790 calories a day. That may be why you are feeling like you do. Maybe set it at 1200 and then when you exercise eat a little more! :wink: See if that helps!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I'm glad to hear that you've been eating at least 1200.

    I firmly believe the psychological effect of seeing green at the end of the day is a huge motivator. So if setting your goal higher will keep you happy and motivated, that's a great thing!
  • silhouettes
    silhouettes Posts: 517 Member
    So if you're only set at 995 and you exercise to burn 205...you are only netting 790 calories a day. That may be why you are feeling like you do. Maybe set it at 1200 and then when you exercise eat a little more! :wink: See if that helps!

    No I made it clear I'm netting 995, please reread my original post.
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