Eating Healthy and Confused

OliveJuice1984

Hello! I am 27 years old and my start weight was 255lbs. I have almost lost 10 lbs in three weeks but I think that has a LOT to do with cutting pop out of my life and drinking nothing but water. I am eating a lot healthier and I'm actually enjoying it! I have also quit smoking, six weeks and counting! My goal weight is 150lbs and I hope to reach it in a year. I would love to meet those that are or were in the same boat, or a similar boat as me. I look forward to meeting you all!

I've been using MFP on IPhone for almost three weeks now. I love it! I think. But lately I have been a bit confused. I have been reading through posts and still find that I am confused. My BMR is 1,884 but the calories that MFP tells me to eat are 1360. So I'm eating less than what my body needs to function if I wasn't moving at all. I imagine that before I started using MFP and eating the way I am now I had an intake of 2500 and more probably. I am losing weight so I'm certainly not complaining but I don't want to hurt myself either. I apologize for the, more than likely, redundant question and appreciate any dumbed down explanation.

Have a great day and happy journey!

Daz999

The 500 cal a day difference is how you lose 1 pound a week, 500*7 = 3500 which equals one pound. Keep up the good work!
-Daz

EngineerPrincess

A sort of rough explanation is that the calories that your body needs and you haven't given it it will take from your stored energy, ie fat. For example if you eat less than your body needs you start losing weight because your body is burning fat, if you eat the exact number of calories your body needs you won't lose anything because calories in equals calories out and your'e in equilibrium. Don't worry about hurting yourself unless you're eating under 1200 calories a day or not eating different nutritional groups of food.

gregavila

Your BMR is as if you were just laying in bed all day doing nothing, so don't compare to that. Look at your TDEE and base your deficit off of that number (http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html).

Then figure 500-1000 calories less than your TDEE estimate.

OliveJuice1984

Thank you guys! featheryowls, your explination really did it for me. Thank you very much!

Danny_Boy13

A sort of rough explanation is that the calories that your body needs and you haven't given it it will take from your stored energy, ie fat. For example if you eat less than your body needs you start losing weight because your body is burning fat, if you eat the exact number of calories your body needs you won't lose anything because calories in equals calories out and your'e in equilibrium. Don't worry about hurting yourself unless you're eating under 1200 calories a day or not eating different nutritional groups of food.

Great response.