Should I be eating more calories?

ses0786
ses0786 Posts: 31 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi. I've lost 6.5kg since starting MFP 3 months ago. I was just wondering if I should change the amount of calories I'm eating. I have another app on my phone that says at the weight I am now, I should be eating about 1600 instead of the 1200 I'm eating now (That's what was calculated for me when I entered my detail into MFP the first time) I don't want to start over and loose any history I have on the app, so if there a good site that someone knows of where I can recalculate the amount of calories I should be eating?
Thanks :)

Replies

  • Givemewings
    Givemewings Posts: 864 Member
    Don't forget that MFP factors in the fact that you want to lose weight , so that could be why there is a difference of 400 calories.
  • Givemewings
    Givemewings Posts: 864 Member
    If you're still worried, fat2fit is a good site for this.
    www.fat2fitradio.com/
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    If you don't have a lot to lose, then only eating 1200 cals is probably too little - but it really depends on your height and current weight.
    Try recalculating your goals choosing "lose 1/2 pounds per week" and ensuring that you have set your activity level accurately (most poeople really AREN'T sedentary).
    Then try eating the calories recommended plus your activity calories for a month and see how your weight loss progresses If you lose weight faster or slower than you expect, then you have a good baseline to change things around if needed.
  • MeechoXD
    MeechoXD Posts: 27
    I also agree on using www.fat2fitradio.com for what you should eat. Just remember that you should NOT eat extra exercise calories back when using this, since it is already factored in.
  • ses0786
    ses0786 Posts: 31 Member
    I only have about 3-4kg to go before I reach my goal weight. So was just wondering when I change my calorie intake. Surely I don't eat 1200 calories for the rest of my life do I LOL
  • ses0786
    ses0786 Posts: 31 Member
    Ok I just had a fiddle with my profile settings and once I change my goal to 1/2 a pound a week the calorie intake goes up and then also goes up again when I put I want to maintain. Thanks
  • ji225
    ji225 Posts: 89 Member
    I think 1200 is way too little uness you are a lot shorter than average and your BMR is lower than that?? Which I dont know but am guessing is not??

    Eat at least your BMR plus about 100 , then eat exercise cals too! eat more if you feel hungry- but you probabaly wont!
    I agree fat2fitradio is a great website for guidance on all this.

    Jenny
  • ses0786
    ses0786 Posts: 31 Member
    I think 1200 is way too little uness you are a lot shorter than average and your BMR is lower than that?? Which I dont know but am guessing is not??

    Eat at least your BMR plus about 100 , then eat exercise cals too! eat more if you feel hungry- but you probabaly wont!
    I agree fat2fitradio is a great website for guidance on all this.

    Jenny

    I'm only about 5ft 1, which is like 158cms tall. When I put all my info in when I first started that's what it told me to eat. And yeah it will change when I'm a bit closer to my goal weight. I'm not usually hungry on the 1200, and only eat into my exercise calories sometimes.
  • ji225
    ji225 Posts: 89 Member
    What is your BMR though??

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

    That is what you would need to eat if you wre laying in bed all day and doing nothing else................ to maintain the same weight, once you move that is extra........if your BMR is over 1200 and you are only eating that amount now whilst doing normal things such as work and exercise then you are shotting yourself in the foot long term. ..........and making your body more efficient at storing fat.
  • FitterGill
    FitterGill Posts: 25 Member
    Am I right in thinking that if you're following the Fat2Fit Radio method (which I am) although you shouldnt eat your exercise cals as they are factored into your daily goals cals, if your exercise cals bring you below your BMR, then you should eat food to bring you back up to BMR?

    I do a lot of exercise - 5/6 intensive hourly workouts each week and my TDEE is 2,500. I want to lose fat, so have cut that by 500 to give me a deficit to lose 1lb each week. So, my goal is 2000, but my workouts often burn 700+ cals which brings my net classes to 1300 which is below my BMR of 1450. So I make sure I eat that 150 shortfall.

    Is that right?
  • ji225
    ji225 Posts: 89 Member
    Yes Fittergill I think you have it spot on. :)
  • FitterGill
    FitterGill Posts: 25 Member
    Great, thanks for that :) Tonight Im doing Body Pump followed by Body Combat, so need to eat about 2500 cals today so that my net doesnt fall below my BMR. Suits me just fine as I love my grub. Tucking into a yummy seed stacked flapjack now :)

    G
  • ji225
    ji225 Posts: 89 Member
    Wow! - BP and BC - don't you just die after both of them?? :)
  • FitterGill
    FitterGill Posts: 25 Member
    Just spotted this! Actually, had to leave after 10 mins of Body Combat. Felt fatigued - yes, too much!!!! I wont be considering back to back classes again!
  • ChrisRN75495
    ChrisRN75495 Posts: 89
    Hi. I've lost 6.5kg since starting MFP 3 months ago. I was just wondering if I should change the amount of calories I'm eating. I have another app on my phone that says at the weight I am now, I should be eating about 1600 instead of the 1200 I'm eating now (That's what was calculated for me when I entered my detail into MFP the first time) I don't want to start over and loose any history I have on the app, so if there a good site that someone knows of where I can recalculate the amount of calories I should be eating?
    Thanks :)
    It seems you are losing an appropriate amount of weight considering the time you have been doing this. I think that--and if you feel well--is your best indicator of the number of calories.

    The app calculated 1200 calories per day for me as well. I *am* sedentary, it is a rare day when I can get exercise and I do not do so purposely. 1200 calories is good for me. I am not losing weight as much as I am losing size, which, to me, is more important.

    I also follow the calories recommended for protein, fat and carbs, and be sure I am sipping on something all day.

    I wouldn't worry too much about eating more calories. 14-15 lb (6.5 kg) in two months or so, that's really very good.

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