Am I doing this wrong?

Fearlessby40

I am new to mfp, joining 5 weeks ago. I am 38 years old and want to lose 40-45 pounds for a goal weight of 135-140. I have lost 8 pounds since joining. I have my goal set to lose 1.5 pounds per week on mfp. According to this site, I should eat 1200 calories a day. I also workout 5 days a week and usually eat all my exercise calories back. After reading many of the forums, I'm seeing that some people go by their bmr instead of what mfp suggests for calories intake. Am I setting myself up to fail if I only eat the 1200 calories(plus exercise calories) or should I eat closer to my bmr of 1500? Any help would be very much appreciated...I love hearing about everyone's success stories!

bizco

Go with what MFP recommends; it's using the info you entered in your diet/fitness profile and it's the safe way to lose weight. For excellent information read the "guide to calorie deficit" in my signature.

Uerzer

You are mixing stuff there... it is simpler than that! If you think 1200 kcal is too low for you, because you feel tired or are hungry... just eat 1300 1400 or 1500, whatever feels right.... and be aware that you are going to slow down.

You can just change your goals to less than 1.5 pounds/week on MFP, and it will give you more kcals to eat.

chickybuns

You'll just have to find out what works for you. If you feel hungry at 1200, bump it up, I think 1500 would be fine.

rodegghero

If i were you i would change to lose one pound a week and it will give you more calories. This seems to work best if you want to lose under 50 pounds

dovesgate

You haven't got much to lose so I would change your goal to 1 or even .5lb.

Fearlessby40

Thank you everyone for your help! I actually feel good with eating the 1200 calories. My energy level is the best its been in a long time. Thank you to bizco, I found your info very helpful!

TRIMoses59

You have to eat enough calories to be satisfied and not starving. If you go hungry you are going to let go one day and pig out. Plus it is not healthy for you to be hungr. I eat the calories that I am allowed each day (and by the way I customised my calories. I started out at 260 and it said I only get 1200. I have no where to go as I lose. My calories is at 1320. I eat the 1320 or just under each day and do not eat my burn calories (but I know they are there if I need them)!. I do not go hungry. I am not losing my weight fast and I am happy with that. A few lbs. a week is a good healthy way to lose.

cee134

The problem with eating too little is you may be denying your body nutrients it needs. Talking to your doctor will help you figure out the amount of calories you should consume. That being said. If you eat too little, the hormones in your body will tell your body to store more fat because it will think you are in danger of starvation. This cycle is going on in your body and will go on for a while even after you achieve your goal weight. After you get there, you will still have to eat alittle less. Not forever, just until your body has time to adjust and understand that you don't need as much food as you use to. That is why eating for a 1lbs a week is better, it gives your body a better way to adjust to the new you.