Cal question

JESSJESJ

Ok, trying to break this all down and actually trying losing weight (for real this time) and am completely confused! I trying to make this more sustainable and about healthy choices, rather than a quick solution.

I’m 33, 5’2, 249. I have a desk job, do about 5000-7000 steps a day (before workouts) and am trying to work out & go to the gym. Ideally, I’d like to go 4/5 times a week, but have been making it 1-3 times a week instead.

So a few questions:

1. Am I sedentary v. lightly active? some forums seem to suggest that the fitbit & mfp work together better when set at lightly active, but I dont want to eat too much.

2. How many calories should I be eating? BMR? BMR + exercise calories? MFP amounts?

MFP: says 1490 / 1240 for 1.5 – 2lbs per week.

Fat2fit says BMR

HB method: 1874
KM method 1735

Also, my fitbit estimates that I burn 2500 on average a day which seems rather high.

I know my questions have probably been asked and answered about a thousand times on here, but would appreciate any help. I am having a hard time putting it all together, or perhaps I’m just reading too many forums.

Anayalata

I have a desk job as well and I put myself as Sedentary even though I try to walk 5000~ steps a day.

Even if you were sedentary and didn't do any exercise you would have to eat 2200~ calories just to maintain.

To lose 2lb a week (which you should only do for a short while if at all) you'd be eating 1200 calories WITHOUT exercise.
(2200 minus 1000)

Add in some exercise and you should be able to eat more comfortably. Use a HRM at first to calculate how much you're burning and eat back ALL the calories.