How many calories do you eat a day?

MellyG426

Im really curious as to how many calories you guys eat on gym days and non gym days???? I would like to see if I have the right idea such as all you guys who have seen so much success. I really would love to compare what I'm doing with others and see if maybe I should adjust. I know personally for me, to see what others are doing motivates me a lot more. I see such great success and numbers from all of you, and I would love love LOVE to be able to do the same.

I feel like I've been yo-yo(ing) since I started, and I do know why. I haven't been very strict with my numbers or diligent with all of my work outs. I am able to say that, and I have set goals for myself, that I know I will get to. I know how good it feels to accomplish your goals. I've reset my numbers and have started again, I just really feel like I need the support of others more than ever now.

Hopefully you guys will give me some input, it would be gladly appreciated!

-Melissa

MellyG426

Im really curious as to how many calories you guys eat on gym days and non gym days???? I would like to see if I have the right idea such as all you guys who have seen so much success. I really would love to compare what I'm doing with others and see if maybe I should adjust. I know personally for me, to see what others are doing motivates me a lot more. I see such great success and numbers from all of you, and I would love love LOVE to be able to do the same.

I feel like I've been yo-yo(ing) since I started, and I do know why. I haven't been very strict with my numbers or diligent with all of my work outs. I am able to say that, and I have set goals for myself, that I know I will get to. I know how good it feels to accomplish your goals. I've reset my numbers and have started again, I just really feel like I need the support of others more than ever now.

Hopefully you guys will give me some input, it would be gladly appreciated!

-Melissa

MyaPapaya75

1200-1400 everyday..even gym days

RedHotRunner

Same for me - I might add an extra 100 calories on a gym day, but not much more.

allaboutme

Usually between 1500 - 1800 per day, 1800 if I work out, but I am just maintaining not really looking to lose any more.

pixiestick

I go between 1200-1500 (depending on gym days). Most of the time I burn over 450 at the gym, but I never eat ALL of my exercise calories (but never less than half).

cheers!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Julie837

Me three, no more than 1400, never less than 1200, and some gym days I work out 2 1/2 hours. I also think that's why it's been slower for me to lose weight, though I've lost 2 inches from my hips. In any case, I am motivated, and not going to eat more for fear of messing up.

pipinana

1200 non gym, 1300-1400 on gym days. burn around 300-400 caleries there.

keiko

I'm maintaining. On non workout days 1500. Depending on what I do for exercise I can go from that base up to about 1750.

It all depends on your height, weight, how active you are during the day. So don't look to much at other peoples numbers. What works for me might not work for someone else.

Dave198lbs

today I burned just over a 1000 with exercise so add that to my 1.5 loss per week calorie of 1340 means I will eat just over 2300 calories today...I try to eat all my exercise calories becuase it works...I have lost steadily since acccepting the fact that I need to eat all those cals

TamTastic

When I was losing still..........by the end, on non-gym days I ate 1400 and on gym days, I would burn a lot and eat around 1800-1900. And obviously it worked because I got to my goal!

allaboutme

and not going to eat more for fear of messing up.

Food is our friend not our enemy. We need to learn to feed our bodies properly so we don't over or under feed it so it learns to use what we give it.Many posts are about how important calories are to your body. How your body needs to stay over 1200 calories per day to function properly and make the metabolism burn faster, using up the food you feed it naturally, instead of having to starve ourselves to do it. It is very important to not let your calories drop drastically below 1200 per day and if you are working out and only eating 1200 calories per day, you are not eating enough. Think to yourself, this is a way I want to keep my body forever, will I realistically be able to eat that few calories every day for the rest of my life? Why not, on this weight loss journey feed your body, so that when the day comes to be done losing weight, you don't have to do anything. You are just there. You are not hungry, you eat healthy food and you exercise. It is possible to do without being hungry.

Really food isn't our enemy, we just need how to learn how to conquer it and make it work for us. if you haven't read the posts yet on why it is important to eat all your exercise calories, please do.

I hope no one takes offence, I hope I don't sound all "know-it-allish" (my word:laugh: ) I just want the weight loss to last for everyone and it is so much easier to do when you aren't hungry.

Go to the message board and read some of the links entitled "links to read over and over again"

this one http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again

sblades

Same as Tam - 1370 on non workout days and up to 1900 depending on what I have burned.

helkat922

I try and fluctuate it every day. For instance, today is my running day and I didn't use up my calories.. but I had a non gym day yesterday and went over the 1200. I sometimes go over, I sometimes stay under just to keep my body guessing! Seems to be working so far! Good luck and you can do it... just keep trying until you find something that works for you!:flowerforyou:

Wolfena

I have my weight loss calories set at 1300, I will usually eat back about half of my exercise calories.

Most days I end up eating around 1600-1700 calories, which is why I have only lost 2 pounds in almost 6 weeks! :embarassed:

nguill6

i get 1400 everyday, but when i work out i usually eat back the calories (I might have eaten some extra calories I didn't earn today...)

nicolet04

1200-1300 calories everyday, once i started to add my excercise calories in, i stopped losing weight. so after 4 weeks of not losing, i just started to eat only 1200 again.

hmo4

and not going to eat more for fear of messing up.

Food is our friend not our enemy. We need to learn to feed our bodies properly so we don't over or under feed it so it learns to use what we give it.Many posts are about how important calories are to your body. How your body needs to stay over 1200 calories per day to function properly and make the metabolism burn faster, using up the food you feed it naturally, instead of having to starve ourselves to do it. It is very important to not let your calories drop drastically below 1200 per day and if you are working out and only eating 1200 calories per day, you are not eating enough. Think to yourself, this is a way I want to keep my body forever, will I realistically be able to eat that few calories every day for the rest of my life? Why not, on this weight loss journey feed your body, so that when the day comes to be done losing weight, you don't have to do anything. You are just there. You are not hungry, you eat healthy food and you exercise. It is possible to do without being hungry.

Really food isn't our enemy, we just need how to learn how to conquer it and make it work for us. if you haven't read the posts yet on why it is important to eat all your exercise calories, please do.

I hope no one takes offence, I hope I don't sound all "know-it-allish" (my word:laugh: ) I just want the weight loss to last for everyone and it is so much easier to do when you aren't hungry.

Go to the message board and read some of the links entitled "links to read over and over again"

this one http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again

Hey know it all!:laugh: :laugh: Just kiddin-I follow exactly what you say.On my rest day, I eat 1200-1400, the days I exercise I eat that much and what I've burned off. And some days I could do more!:laugh: Who am I kidding, on same days I do do more!:laugh: :laugh: :bigsmile:

swells27

1200 calories on non-gym days, and then depending on what type of work out (no cardio vs all cardio)I'm doing it can range from 1400-1800 calories.

:drinker:
Cheers,
S.

pipinana

and not going to eat more for fear of messing up.

Food is our friend not our enemy. We need to learn to feed our bodies properly so we don't over or under feed it so it learns to use what we give it.Many posts are about how important calories are to your body. How your body needs to stay over 1200 calories per day to function properly and make the metabolism burn faster, using up the food you feed it naturally, instead of having to starve ourselves to do it. It is very important to not let your calories drop drastically below 1200 per day and if you are working out and only eating 1200 calories per day, you are not eating enough. Think to yourself, this is a way I want to keep my body forever, will I realistically be able to eat that few calories every day for the rest of my life? Why not, on this weight loss journey feed your body, so that when the day comes to be done losing weight, you don't have to do anything. You are just there. You are not hungry, you eat healthy food and you exercise. It is possible to do without being hungry.

Really food isn't our enemy, we just need how to learn how to conquer it and make it work for us. if you haven't read the posts yet on why it is important to eat all your exercise calories, please do.

I hope no one takes offence, I hope I don't sound all "know-it-allish" (my word:laugh: ) I just want the weight loss to last for everyone and it is so much easier to do when you aren't hungry.

Go to the message board and read some of the links entitled "links to read over and over again"

this one http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again

I eat 1200 calories (non working out days) because that's what MFP told me to do for my height/weight and activity level (to loose 1.4 pounds/week). Everyone is different right? I eat most of the calories I burn when I work out, so would you consider me starving my body?
Just want to clarify..... I'm 5'1" 175 1/2 hour w/o 5 days/week.

kmkbh05

I also eat about 1200-1400 max a day even workout days. You have to eat what is best for you. I went by what MFP told me to eat according to my height and age. What is best for me might not be best for you. Trust what MFP says

Renae_Nae

1500 net calories...sometimes a little over but never under! I was at 1300 calories net and only lost .5 pounds in a month! Once I up'd it I lost .8 pounds in 4 days!

songbyrdsweet

I'm eating about 1700-1900 on gym days and 1600 on non-gym days. I have been stalling eating 1600 on gym days so I'm reducing my deficit so my body is in a better place to lose fat.

Sheri4MS

I am sticking to about 1,200 to 1,300 net calories.

Non W/O day about 1,200 to 1,400 actual calories
W/O day about 1,600 to 1,800 actual calories (although I think I have been low balling my W/O's)

Work outs include:
3X week biking 60 minutes or more.
3X week running 13 miles a week and building
2X week power toning class for 60 minutes
1X week weight lifting for 60 minutes
1X rest

On Saturday's I do my long training runs and than ride bike for at least an hour. This is the one day a week I am unable to eat all my calories. Last Saturday I had net calories of 600. On my day of rest I find that I want more calories.

I drink 10 to 14 glasses of water a day.

Thursday will mark 6 weeks on MFP. I am 5'6 and started at 138.4 pounds, my weigh in day is Thursday and I anticipate I will be at 128, for 10.4 pounds lost. This is double what I expected at this point as the system calculated about .8 a week. Once I reach my goal weight of 125 I plan to increase to 1400 to 1500 net calories a day and see if I can maintain on that.

I have been running since 2004 and started biking last spring. 2004-2006 my weight was about 132 to 135. At the end of 2006 I had a total hysterectomy whereas my weight than bounced from 135 to 142. Dependent on where I was at with my training schedule. Prior to joining MFP, I did not watch what I was eating at all. Spring through fall I would usually work out about 4 to 5 days a week and winter 3 to 4 days a week. I commute 10 hours a week and have a desk job, so I sit plenty.

My training schedule was intensified in alignment with starting MFP. So I contribute the loss to both the excercise and eating right. I think for me the key has been refueling my body properly with the right foods for energy. I feel really good and strong, but more importantly my MS is doing well.

I hope this helps.

cmriverside

I always use the MFP recommended calorie intake and don't go over or under by more than 100-200 calories. If I work out, I eat the exercise calories.

I have been in my healthy BMI since April of 2008.

allaboutme

I eat 1200 calories (non working out days) because that's what MFP told me to do for my height/weight and activity level (to loose 1.4 pounds/week). Everyone is different right? I eat most of the calories I burn when I work out, so would you consider me starving my body?
Just want to clarify..... I'm 5'1" 175 1/2 hour w/o 5 days/week.

when I use your numbers, your BMR suggests you should be eating around 1450 calories per day as a base, and no less, that is what your body needs just to lay in bed and breath. I didn't check your age, so it might be a bit different when you do it. Go in to the tools section and do your calculation. This is the minimum amount of calories you should be eating everyday without exercise. You are right everyone is different, unfortunately MFP uses a 1200 default number instead of using your BMR calcution to figure out how much you should eat to lose those pounds, but that number didn't take into account your current body size or your age. I consider this MFP's only flaw. It doesn't make sense that a person needing to lose 100 pounds would need the same amount of calories that a person trying to lose 10 would? but if you tell the program you want to lose 2 lbs per week, it will tell you to eat 1200 calories a day to reach your weight loss no matter what you weigh. Your BMR as I said is the amount of fuel you need for your body to function properly without doing anything. Check out the info on it on the link I put on earlier. This has been a learning experience for me for sure, but I think I have learned a lot here, it is a wonderful site.

kimber607

Hey all

Geez....1200-1400 seems SO low to me if you are working out
Anyway, I started here eating 1490 cals...w/ out working out
Once I started working out and his maintenance, I am eating about 2000 cals a day
I work out daily and I assume I burn about 400ish cals give or take (usually work out 1.5hrs more or less)

Kim

init2loseit

This is a great topic.
I eat between 1800 and 2000 everyday. I exercise everyday though. I am only aiming to lose 1lb a week.
Some days I eat 1500-1600, but I get really grumpy. LOL:grumble:

iluvbread

1200 firm exercise or not, but always hungry.

AmyNVegas

when I use your numbers, your BMR suggests you should be eating around 1450 calories per day as a base, and no less, that is what your body needs just to lay in bed and breath. I didn't check your age, so it might be a bit different when you do it. Go in to the tools section and do your calculation. This is the minimum amount of calories you should be eating everyday without exercise. You are right everyone is different, unfortunately MFP uses a 1200 default number instead of using your BMR calcution to figure out how much you should eat to lose those pounds, but that number didn't take into account your current body size or your age. I consider this MFP's only flaw. It doesn't make sense that a person needing to lose 100 pounds would need the same amount of calories that a person trying to lose 10 would? but if you tell the program you want to lose 2 lbs per week, it will tell you to eat 1200 calories a day to reach your weight loss no matter what you weigh. Your BMR as I said is the amount of fuel you need for your body to function properly without doing anything.

Allaboutme-
Sorry but you are incorrect on this it does go according to weight and it takes the 250-500 off your BMR without going under 1200. If you eat your BMR plus exercise calories you will not lose only maintain since you need a calorie deficit to lose weight. You just cannot go under 1200 and get the nutrients your body needs to survive. I started at 2400(that the program assigned me) calories and have lost and changed my goals and I am now at 2080 since I put my activity to sedentary. I know many people on here are above 1200 it is based on your stats plus your goals which mine are 2 pounds a week. :flowerforyou:

From what I have read eat your calories but be careful when recording exercise calories. Try to get them from a HRM not a calories burned site they can be WAY off.:drinker:

Amy:bigsmile:

Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Food Diary

My favorite post for answers:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again

pipinana

I eat 1200 calories (non working out days) because that's what MFP told me to do for my height/weight and activity level (to loose 1.4 pounds/week). Everyone is different right? I eat most of the calories I burn when I work out, so would you consider me starving my body?
Just want to clarify..... I'm 5'1" 175 1/2 hour w/o 5 days/week.

when I use your numbers, your BMR suggests you should be eating around 1450 calories per day as a base, and no less, that is what your body needs just to lay in bed and breath. I didn't check your age, so it might be a bit different when you do it. Go in to the tools section and do your calculation. This is the minimum amount of calories you should be eating everyday without exercise. You are right everyone is different, unfortunately MFP uses a 1200 default number instead of using your BMR calcution to figure out how much you should eat to lose those pounds, but that number didn't take into account your current body size or your age. I consider this MFP's only flaw. It doesn't make sense that a person needing to lose 100 pounds would need the same amount of calories that a person trying to lose 10 would? but if you tell the program you want to lose 2 lbs per week, it will tell you to eat 1200 calories a day to reach your weight loss no matter what you weigh. Your BMR as I said is the amount of fuel you need for your body to function properly without doing anything. Check out the info on it on the link I put on earlier. This has been a learning experience for me for sure, but I think I have learned a lot here, it is a wonderful site.

I disagree. Your BMR is the amount of calories you would burn in a day sitting on your @ss doing nothing, not how much calories you need to eat.... If I ate the amount of calories I burn in a day (my BMI), I would loose NOTHING. Especially when I eat the extra calories I burn when I'm working out. Therefore, if my BMR is 1450 and I eat 1450 calories every day there would be absolutely no weight loss. Mt eating 1200 calories a day would burn 250 caleries per day, which in turn would turn into a 1-1.5 pound weight loss per week. Now, if you are MAINTAINING your weight, you should be eating all the 1450 calories for no weight loss in a week......