Changing calories.

TeachTheGirl

So, I was feeling low a few weeks ago and my friends suggested I drop my desired weight-loss per week to 1lb from 2lb, to give myself some extra calories and give my body a bit of a break. I decided to look into this last night and changed my weight-loss goal...and my calories remained the same! \o/

Should I be trying to work out my calories manually? My brain gets all tied up in the mathematics...

Southernb3lle

I calculated mine by looking at my BMR and something else. I can't remember now. If I figure it out I will let you know.

Feisty_Red

Are you experiencing a stall? I too..and struggling right now...for 3 months I have been stuck..and time and time again..forums..etc..are telling me I am NOT eating enough to fuel my body..and it is holding every calorie and not allowing me to lose...slowing metabolism..etc...It's tricky...some say never NET below 1200(meaning if you exercise and burn 300..then no less than 1500 a day) and other say no lower than you BMR...(example mine is 1600..so adding in exercise...thats over 2000 for me easy!)what your body burns just sitting all day long..

I dont know what MFP has set for you..but do some research on BMR..I am currently trying to up my calories as well..and hope I can push thru this..

I am actually sticking off the scale for awhile as I try this transition.. some say you will experience a little weight gain at first...but then it will drop off..

I hope this helps?? or at least gives you something to think about! I'm still trying to figure out this weight game here as well...I thought I would have been goal weight MONTHS ago... go figure

Feisty_Red

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/ this should help

yarwell

So, I was feeling low a few weeks ago and my friends suggested I drop my desired weight-loss per week to 1lb from 2lb, to give myself some extra calories and give my body a bit of a break. I decided to look into this last night and changed my weight-loss goal...and my calories remained the same! \o/

Should I be trying to work out my calories manually? My brain gets all tied up in the mathematics...

I guess it was 1200 in both cases. Try 0.5 lbs per week.

Southernb3lle

Ahaha it was BMR and TDEE. I used an online calculator to figure it out with those 2 things in consideration. Hope it helps.

Southernb3lle

http://www.quickbmr.com/what-is-tdee.html

Linda_Darlene

It did the same thing for me! It has its minimum setting that is generic. Calculate what your BMR is and your TDEE. Obviously, you want to eat below your TDEE, but don't eat below your BMR! One pound a week is just a 500 calorie deficit a day.

bmi-calculator.net has great calculators!

Sharyn913

Are you experiencing a stall? I too..and struggling right now...for 3 months I have been stuck..and time and time again..forums..etc..are telling me I am NOT eating enough to fuel my body..and it is holding every calorie and not allowing me to lose...slowing metabolism..etc...It's tricky...some say never NET below 1200(meaning if you exercise and burn 300..then no less than 1500 a day) and other say no lower than you BMR...(example mine is 1600..so adding in exercise...thats over 2000 for me easy!)what your body burns just sitting all day long..

I dont know what MFP has set for you..but do some research on BMR..I am currently trying to up my calories as well..and hope I can push thru this..

I am actually sticking off the scale for awhile as I try this transition.. some say you will experience a little weight gain at first...but then it will drop off..

I hope this helps?? or at least gives you something to think about! I'm still trying to figure out this weight game here as well...I thought I would have been goal weight MONTHS ago... go figure

Try slightly decreasing your carbs and increasing your protein for two weeks or so and see if that helps.

TeachTheGirl

My progress hasn't stalled at all, I just feel a little drained and wanted to test to see if eating more might help my mood. I should be happy that my weight-loss is still going strong, but I feel like I'm burning out!

I hope you beat your plateau, Red!

Yep, 1200 either way. I'll try 0.5lbs and see what happens...

EDIT: Yep, that increases it: 1,370 calories per day.

Linda_Darlene

My progress hasn't stalled at all, I just feel a little drained and wanted to test to see if eating more might help my mood. I should be happy that my weight-loss is still going strong, but I feel like I'm burning out!

I hope you beat your plateau, Red!

Yep, 1200 either way. I'll try 0.5lbs and see what happens...

EDIT: Yep, that increases it: 1,370 calories per day.

When I tried eating below my BMR, I was tired as well! Without counting my exercise, my TDEE is 1400 something.

Don't forget - your daily deficit is also from your exercise. It doesn't have to be just from your food intake!

erickirb

My progress hasn't stalled at all, I just feel a little drained and wanted to test to see if eating more might help my mood. I should be happy that my weight-loss is still going strong, but I feel like I'm burning out!

I hope you beat your plateau, Red!

Yep, 1200 either way. I'll try 0.5lbs and see what happens...

EDIT: Yep, that increases it: 1,370 calories per day.

This means your maintenance is 1620 (1370+250). You should also be eating back the cals burned from exercise. So if you burn 300 calories one day, on that day you should be eating 1670 (1370+300)

The less you have to lose the smaller your deficit should be. this helps reduce the amount of lean muscle you lose as you lose weight.

meggonkgonk

It probably means that you are too skinny to healthily lose 2lbs per week without setting your calorie goal below 1200 calories.

Your NET calorie range is best estimated using your BMR and your maintenence calories. You can find BMR under the TOOLs section. To find your maintenence calories, simply change your MFP settings to 0lbs per week and look at that calorie goal. These two numbers give you a rough "minimum" and "maximum" amount of calories. So if you are feeling hungry, tired or stressed, you know how much wiggle room you have before you overeat, and if you are feeling committed and totally ON, you know about where to be so you don't undereat.

Linda_Darlene

I calculated mine by looking at my BMR and something else. I can't remember now. If I figure it out I will let you know.

BMR and TDEE! :bigsmile:

TeachTheGirl

Admittedly, I do not eat back my exercise calories. I only regularly work out 3 times per week. Think eating them back will help me not feel so fatigued?

Linda_Darlene

I don't eat mine back. Well, maybe some of it some days. It just depends on my day and how I feel. I just have to keep myself fueled enough that I don't feel like @#$% and fatigued. All it took for me was adding more protein and around 100-150 calories each day on the average.

No matter what I do, you have to be able to function and feel better! :flowerforyou:

Southernb3lle

I calculated mine by looking at my BMR and something else. I can't remember now. If I figure it out I will let you know.

BMR and TDEE! :bigsmile:

Yep, figured it out after I original;ly posted.

jjh1024

This has helped me so much! Thanks. I am always sooo tired and hungry. I also only eat 1200. Good to know I can stop starving myself and still be productive!