Need Expert Advise On My Daily Intake Goals

HiKaren

Hi MFP Members. Just a question that maybe some experts here can help me with.

Last year I started Nutrisystems. Jan 2011 until Sept 2011. I started at 171 lbs and almost reached my goal of 135. I ended at 136.5 lbs. I cancelled my membership/regular food orders.. Because I felt great at that weight. Then I started what I thought was maintenance. I asked a counselor there now what my daily intake goal should be. They weren't specific with me. Said to add another protein, and another carb.. And see how that goes. Soooo. My question is: If I was at 1200-1300 calories a day, and not adding in my exercise calories, and that caused me to lose weight. 34.5 lbs. Since then I have added more calories, I thought to maintain that weight. But I have actually gained about 10 lbs.

When I joined MFP a couple months ago I noticed people add food to make up for the difference in the calories burned for exercise. MFP says to get back to my goal of 135 and lose 1 lb per week my intake should be 1230. Not counting any calories earned for exercise. I usually earn about 300-500 extra calories per day by exercising.. Problem is, I do eat those back because I have been taking advise from other mpf users. Why am I gaining weight slowly? Do I need to actually not eat back those to achieve some losses, and get back to my goal? I have a fitbit that gauges and syncs. I go on the eliptical at least 5 days a week. I walk alot. And do a tiny bit of weights after the eliptical machine. I"m considering joining Curves so I can do the circuit training with weights there.

What do you think? I am really struggling with the fact about eating additional calories because I have exercised. I didn't do that last year, and I lost weight. But now that I am eating those back, why am I slowly increasing on the scale. I feel ok... And want to think my body composition is getting healthier. But I'm not sure.

What do you guys think? I'm 145 ish and goal is 135 and I'm comsuming aprox 1500 to 1600 calories a day including the exercise cals I have earned. Should I stop eating back those calories? I seem to be slowly gaining...

Thank You,
Karen

LorinaLynn

As counter-productive as it might sound, try setting your weight loss goal to a half pound a week instead of one pound a week. If you only want to lose 10 pounds, a 500 calorie a day deficit might be too much for you. Try about 1500 calories, plus most of your exercise cals.

Personally, when I had about 20-25 pounds to go, I lost better at 1350 net than I did at 1200 net. When I had around 10 to go, I ate around 1500 net (for a total of around 1800-2000). The weight came off slowly, but it made more of an impact.

HiKaren

Thank You Lorina!! I just printed this... And I'm going to change my settings and try your advise. I let you know how it goes. Thank you for your time.

mozingoashley

I've done the same thing hoping for the same results!