Is there an optimal caloric deficit?

Spanntastic12

I'm in my final two weeks of insanity and as of late I have had a calorie deficit of anywhere from 700 to 1000 a day after factoring in my workouts. Is this too much? I don't feel hungry at the end of the day but I don't want my body not getting the fuel it needs.

I.e. I burned 892 last night and ended up around 790 calories under my net goal.

Hellbent_Heidi

There's already a deficit built into your net goal by MFP. based on what you clicked on for settings (and how much you wanted to lose per week). If you're working out that hard...you really need to be eating your net goal.

spikefoot

I think a lot depends on the individual. For the past 3 months I ate too low and while I was losing it caught up to me. Now I am eating at maintenance and creating an exercise deficit instead. I personally can have a greater deficit created by exercise vs one created by reduced food intake because I feel too sluggish. I know my response is not very scientific but in the end what I am saying is do something that can sustain you and allow you to do this for the long haul. I don't think a 700 -1000 deficit is too low at all if you are eating enough to start.

Spanntastic12

Thanks...I am eating anywhere from 1700 - 1900 calories worth daily and my net calorie goal is 1790...so after my exercise it brings my daily totals to around 800-1000. The other day I had a humongous calorie burn and ate regularly that day but my deficit was so huge that I ate some cereal just to add more calories in to fuel even though I didn't feel hungry.