Simple Question...followed by a not-as-simple question!

knowak82

So I've been reading a ton on here about not eating below my BMR AT ANY COST!!! I've gone to 4 or 5 different websites and they all tell me my BMR is about 1525 cals. I have MFP set for a 1lb a week weight loss, and it's putting me at about 1350 net cals a day? So, my question is...Is there a way that I can manually set my calories to what I want them to be? I just can't seem to find that function on here (if it does exist???)...

Also, when I looked up my TDEE, it is between 1800 and 2100--depending on whether I consider my lifestyle as "little/no excercise" or "light excercise". I have a 9 hour a day desk job, so I would consider myself pretty sedentary unless I get a workout in before/after my work day...

So...that brings me to my next question. If my BMR is 1500, and my TDEE is 1800-2100 and I would like to lose a pound a week ideally (considered a healthy weight loss?), that would put my daily net cal target (based on my TDEE) at 1300-1600 cals. Hmmmm....I'm thinking I might bump up my daily net cals to 1500 to start (since I'm currently at 1350) and see how that goes???

Any thoughts? :ohwell:

dewgirl321

You can change your calorie goal by going to My Home, Goals, Custom Goals. 1500 would be a good target based on your estimated BMR and TDEE, although you should consider eating some of your exercise calories if you have any big workout days so that your net calories don't drop too far below your BMR.

Good luck!

MinnieInMaine

As you have only about 20 pounds to lose, your weight loss goal should be closer to 1/2 pound per week. If you reset your weight loss goal using diet profile update screen, it should bring you to about the same # as your BMR. You'll still have plenty of calorie deficit.

Not sure if you're asking about your activity level but I personally believe that you should go by your normal daily activity, not how much you exercise (because, what if you can't exercise for some reason). So I would say sedentary is best, then eat back 50-75% of the calories you earn through exercise - unless you have an HRM, then eat as close to 100% as you can.

To answer your first question, you can customize your goals on here if you want. If memory serves, from the "My Home" tab, you click on Goals then it give you an option to do either standard or custom. I'll go check it and come back and edit this...


ETA: Yup, that's right - to customize goals, you go to My Home, then Goals, then click on Change Goals and select Custom.

To do the more simple method that will probably put you at the same # (see my 1st paragraph), go to My Home, Settings, Update diet/fitness profile, and towards the bottom there's a drop down box where you can select your # per week goal.

knowak82

Wonderful!!! I am going to up my cals to 1500 right now!

And I do plan to eat back a good portion of my workout cals :happy:

And...I'm hoping my wonderful children (with the hubby's help) will get their mommy an HRM for Mother's Day this year--the seed has already been planted in my husband's ear...:bigsmile:

I will try the 1500 net cals for a few weeks and see how it goes...if all goes well, I may even increase my cals a little more!

MinnieInMaine

Oh good! Yes, please do give it at least a couple of week to fully set in. There's a chance that you'll see a slight gain in the beginning just because your body's going to need to adapt to the difference but once 2-3 weeks goes by, you should be right back on track. Good luck!

knowak82

Oh good! Yes, please do give it at least a couple of week to fully set in. There's a chance that you'll see a slight gain in the beginning just because your body's going to need to adapt to the difference but once 2-3 weeks goes by, you should be right back on track. Good luck!

URG! I'll prepare myself for the worst! But in the long run I'm sure it will be more than worth it :happy:

Mind if I add you as a friend???