Could MFP have my calories wrong?

Jozie_

I joined MFP 5 days a ago entered my stats and it suggested that to loose .5kg per week I stick to a 1200 calorie diet! That freaked me a bit but I decided to give it a go. I haven't managed to stay under 1200 once which is quite dishearting. MFP tells me at the end of the day that if every day was like today at the end of 5 weeks I'd weigh 1-2kgs more than I do now but I'm starving! And loosing weight. Before I started I wasn't gaining weight at a rate of 1-2kgs per week and I was eating waaay more than I am now! And far to many snacks and sugary foods.

I'm 28, 5'3" (160cm) start weight 57.3 kilos and I just want to loose the 2.3kgs that I've gained in the last three years since I've been back at a sedentry office job.

So just wanted some advice on whether I can change my calorie target manually and whether this might be a good idea? Or should I just stick it out and keep trying to get under the 1200 per day?

Thanks

MissTomGettingThin

Let us see your diary, Jozie. We can help then. :O) Might be in what you're eating or not.
Amanda x

Jozie_

How do I do that?

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

It's hard for most people to stay full on 1200 calories. I eat 1440 and lose (I'm 5'4", 135 lbs) and I also have to make sure I get plenty of fiber and protein to stay full. If you're losing but hungry at 1200 there are a couple of things you can do. Try upping your cals by 100-200 and see what happens. Change the kind of food you're eating-- make sure you get filling, calorie dense foods for your 1200 cals. 1200 is the lowest MFP will set itself for women, so if you chose 2 lbs per week that could be why. Also, MFP means for you to eat back any calories you burn through exercise, so that might help you out too.

uglyhobo

are you entering in the calories burned exercising? because with mfp you're supposed to add in how many calories you have burned exercising which means you can eat more. Let's say it tells you 1200 calories. Well if you do 30 minutes of cardio and burn 350 calories, then you can log that in and you will be able to eat an extra 350 calories.

KareninCanada

So just wanted some advice on whether I can change my calorie target manually and whether this might be a good idea? Or should I just stick it out and keep trying to get under the 1200 per day?

On your Goals page you can adjust all the settings for your diet, calories included. You want to be at more than 1200 calories - more like 1500 or so. Find your BMR, and don't generally eat below that.

BTW, you're my height and pretty much exactly at my dream weight.

aniwani

Sounds correct,but make sure you are eating smart. You can get really full on a 1200 cal diet, lots of fiber, water, lean chicken or fish... you should cut out processed food and sugars as much as possible. Whats been working for me is to eat a lot of the healthy stuff and a bite or 2 of the bad stuff so you don't feel like your missing out.

Jozie_

Thanks for your replies, I've looked up my BMR, its 1361 so in theory I'm trying to eat less than if I lay in bed all day.

khipson, thanks I think I'll give that a go, at least if I have a more achievable goal I'll be less likely to give up!

I'm definately eating my cals lost through exercise and then some!