New to this. A hello and some ?s

cpolicari
cpolicari Posts: 2
in Introduce Yourself
hello fitness community!

I have just downloaded the MFP app as a way to sort of organize the random cluster of dedication, folklore and eventual giving up that have been the hallmark of my past dieting attempts. However, when I entered all my info (31 years old, 284 lbs, 6'1" tall, want to lose 2lbs/week, 1.5 hour workouts 3 times a week), this software tells me I can eat upwards of 2000 calories a day, and 287g of carbs. I'm most definitely no expert, but this does not exactly sound conducive to weight loss. Will the numbers adjust over time?

Thanks iadvance for any advice!

Replies

  • fitandstrongmommy
    fitandstrongmommy Posts: 81 Member
    I think they are right, we tend to think that if we want to loose weight we need to eat less. Your body really needs the fuel to help it loose the weight. If you make good choices you will loose weight while eating.
  • Laurie1267
    Laurie1267 Posts: 169 Member
    Hello to you as well! I also think the numbers are right for now and definitely will adjust over time. I weighed in excess of 300 lbs. and tried diet after diet until I finally decided that I needed a major life change and had gastic bypass surgery in 2008 and lost 165 lbs. Since that time I have put back on about 50 lbs. and I'm using MFP to help :) I've lost 16 so far and this app only allows me 1200 calories per day :( Let me know if you'd like to be friends. Have a great day!
  • MtnKat
    MtnKat Posts: 714
    Yep, sounds right since you chose an active lifestyle.

    You could always choose a sedentary lifestyle and eat back the exercise calories OR you can choose the active lifestyle and eat the calories given you.

    Either way the deficit in calories should be about the same.

    For me, I chose sedentary, which gave me 1200 cals per day PLUS I eat my exercise cals (so I average about 1500-1600 cals a day) which has been working for me.

    Each person is different. You may need to tweak it here and there.

    Read up though...learn what's best for you since it's your body and your investment.

    Take care and good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • YankeesLvr52
    YankeesLvr52 Posts: 64 Member
    MtnKat is spot on!!!! Add me if you would like as well.
  • vklebanova
    vklebanova Posts: 152 Member
    Yep, sounds right since you chose an active lifestyle.

    You could always choose a sedentary lifestyle and eat back the exercise calories OR you can choose the active lifestyle and eat the calories given you.

    Either way the deficit in calories should be about the same.

    For me, I chose sedentary, which gave me 1200 cals per day PLUS I eat my exercise cals (so I average about 1500-1600 cals a day) which has been working for me.

    Each person is different. You may need to tweak it here and there.

    Read up though...learn what's best for you since it's your body and your investment.

    Take care and good luck! :flowerforyou:

    This be true!
  • SouthernCountryGirl
    SouthernCountryGirl Posts: 195 Member
    Hi, I'm 49, 5'2" and need to lose roughly 40 pounds. I agree with the others, the software is probably right. I eat roughly 1700 a day (including my exercise calories) but I have my activity level set lower than yours. It set my intake at 1200, but I take in a lot of protein on the days I do the gym with weights so I raised it to 1400 (before exercise calories) and I'm doing much better, even with weight loss. The hardest thing I had to overcome mentally was the truth: your body needs fuel. Try it for a bit then if you need to tweak it later. Nothing says you have to follow MFP to the letter. If you're looking for friends feel free to add me :D I hope you enjoy it at MFP it really is an awesome site and community.
  • dewgirl321
    dewgirl321 Posts: 296 Member
    According to fitnessfrog.com, your BMR is 2551. Your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) would probably average 3700 per day with your 3 days of exercise. To lose 2lbs per week, you should eat 2700 cals per day. That's total calories eaten, and you wouldn't have to calculate and eat your exercise calories that way since they're already included.

    It may seem like a lot, but to maintain your current weight you would have to eat 3700 cals per day. A deficit of 1000 cals is actually quite a lot. If you try eating less than that to "speed up" your weight loss, you will be working against yourself. Just be consistent and patient and you will be successful. Don't just look at your end goal, set mini goals for yourself and work on them one at a time.

    Good luck! :wink:
  • lbatton
    lbatton Posts: 10 Member
    The daily calorie goal works for me. Most often I don't eat back the calories that I burn through my 6 days a week exercise, I do make sure to meet my daily calorie goal. If you stick to the daily goal, and track all of your calories, you will be successful.
  • cpolicari
    cpolicari Posts: 2
    Wow, I don't remember choosing active lifestyle. I'm on my feet all day, but not doing anything that requires strenuous physical effort. Thanks for the tip.
  • CynthiaHardy
    CynthiaHardy Posts: 1 Member
    I'm trying to get down to 165lbs. Started 6 years ago at 247 lbs. today's weight is 167.8lbs. So I'm trying to get these last few pounds off. I'm a little discouraged and need some friends to encourage me. Anybody out there?
  • dewgirl321
    dewgirl321 Posts: 296 Member
    Regardless of the activity level you choose, MFP still assumes that you will enter and eat exercise calories.
  • Sabresgal63
    Sabresgal63 Posts: 641 Member
    Hello there and welcome! Yes....MFP is usually spot on. Friend me if you'd like:bigsmile:
  • selig0730
    selig0730 Posts: 509 Member
    the calories it suggested is right i have been using that over the past 7 months and lost a lot of weight and more to come so its mostly accurate. every time you get on the scale and it goes down you put it on mfp and it will adjust the calories so you dont eat as much because you are smaller.. good luck and hope it works out for you as much as for me.

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