Girls, how many calories are you eating?

softsculptor · August 2012

1,200 zig zag. Zig zag is to have high calorie days and low calorie days (think about weekly goal instead of daily goal)...but I eat my exercise calories back. The problem may be you:

1. Are retaining water because of that time of the month. This can last anywhere from 5-10 days. There is nothing you can do about it but wait. Reducing sodium and increasing water consumption can help mitigate symptoms, however.

2. Have plateaued as a result of not getting enough calories, which causes metabolism to slow. Try eating your exercise calories back.

3. Have plateaued because you are overestimating your calories burned. Get a heart rate monitor for more accuracy and don't count on what MFP or the machine tells you. Ellipticals are often wrong by 42%.

4. There is also a theory that people plateau as a result of their bodies getting used to a certain amount of calories a day and are adjusting metabolism accordingly. This seems to be more theory than anything, but just in case there is any truth to that, I have taken it into account by undertaking the zig-zag plan, which makes more sense to me anyway, since on social days my calorie intake is higher...and its not like I'm going to not go out to eat because I'm watching my weight.

MeccaLoves2Sleep · August 2012

5' 9", 214 lbs, 1474 calories

workout 3-4 times a week and burn 300-900 calories a each workout.

It's working!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cramernh · August 2012

2487, I average a 350-400caloric burn at the gym.

My BMR is 1895, so I make sure I never net below that

caseyjade88 · August 2012

I started out with 1200 calories as well, but I always felt hungry and unsatisfied.. So I upped my caloric limit to 1350 and I seem to be doing much better at that. Still losing weight at a steady pace! (and I sit at a desk for 10 hours a day at work)

hs1956 · August 2012

I stay under 1800 calories daily (not net, just consumption). Sometimes there is a 2000kcal day (eating out). I could not do mfp's 1200 calories a day and opted for a slower weight loss with the higher calorie intake. I have gone from 136 to 128 since June and work out 4-6X a week. I do some type of walking or floor exercises on my days off from the gym. I am 5'4". I am older (56) and, for me, the key to my ideal weight has always been cardio and strength training along with eating healthier-limiting bread, pasta and cheese with portion control and upping the veggies and fruit. I have not eaten meat in 30 years but do eat tofu, dairy and eggs. My goal is 120 (what I was for most of my adult life). I hope to see it by Christmas!

courtneybusdeker · August 2012

ok im curious, people plateau at their BMR??? i have been at this for a week on here and have lost 3.8 lbs and my BMR is 1200. When I was doing WW after having my son I lost 55 lbs in 6 months with NO exercise, but my body doesnt work like that anymore

So if you up your BMR just a little the weight melts off?? Can someone explain this to me please lol. Oh and by the way I am 31 yrs old, 5 ft 2 in and 179 lbs.

confettibetti · August 2012

6'1 CW 212 Exercise 5-7 times a week and NET 1500

MummaSue · August 2012

I'm 5'7 and eat 1500 + exercise cals... I swear by http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/ (I set it to sedentary simply so I can earn my exercise cals and enjoy). I've been losing .5-2 lbs a week.

So pleased to read this - I'm much the same: 5' 6.5" (important half-inch!) have just recently re-set my MFP goals to the recommended cals on the site you link to and, like you, using the sedentary setting so I'll still log exercise. Cals are set at 1525 per day, (Carbs 40%/Protein 30%/Fat 30%) I've been doing it less than a week so I can't really say if it's going to work for me, but there was a (small) shift downwards this morning so looking good so far!

reasnableblonde · August 2012

5'9", CW 155, net 1600 calories a day, give or take.

My BMR was tested by my dietician (using that mask breathing test), and it was very low (~1300 cals). I have been weight training to build more muscle and wake up my metabolism and have found that I must eat more in order to keep up. MFP recommended 1350, but I upped it to 1600 and already feel SO much better and my weight is already dropping again.

thenewkayla · August 2012

im about 5,6 and i eat any where from 1200 to 1500 but most of the time i dont go over 1400

leejayem · August 2012

I'm 5ft & 79kg - looking to lose another 15-20kg. I eat 1200 a day, sometimes less (occasionally way more if I have a binge!!!). I go for a walk/jog wearing 1kg wrist-weights for about half an hour, 4 or 5 times a week & occasionally do some handweights -but that's about the extent of my exercise. My weight-loss so far has been mainly from limited calories & good food choices (ie - the weeks that I've done more exercise than usual I haven't lost any extra weight)

lindsayray21 · March 2013

5'6'' 110lbs.

I net about 1300/1400 a day and am not losing any weight! I want to lose it slowly but it's been a month and I haven't lost any. Suggestions? Am I not eating enough?

serioussister · March 2013

I'm 5'1, 167 lbs and was eating 1200 per day but plateaued and just upped my calories to 1400.. I'm so freaked out I'm going to end up gaining weight. How many calories are you guys eating and what are your stats?

5'1" working out 3x a week can easily eat 1600-1800 and still lose fat.
Lift weights and youll be amazed!

Give fat a reason not to exist!
Eat right and move right!

I'm 5'1" 140 lbs & workout 3-4/week. I was eating 1200 until last week when I read ^^^this guy's posts! I recently upped it to 1600.

I like this response above. Don't freak out. Slow and steady! I really think 1600 calories spread out throughout the day will work. I try to do a 100 calorie something every hour or two.

slamb1020 · March 2013

Im 5'9 156-160 and i eat about 14-1500. working out 6x a week. 3 cardio and 3 strength training.

caramelcorn18 · March 2013

I'm 5'0, 124 lbs. and try and eat around 1200 calories a day and I exercise 6 times a week.

bellaa_x0 · March 2013

i am 5'10", currently 206.8lbs and aiming for 175lbs. Based on my RMR, i eat 1600 cals/day on NON-exercise days and 1800 cals/day on exercise days as advised. I exercise 4-5 times a week.

Alkirra · March 2013

I'm 5'4 and 50 in 5 weeks. I eat close to 2000 a day healthy foods, rice cakes well?? I do 50 - 60 minutes a day of intense intentional exercise daily.

I love my calories and I intake them regularly, oh did I mention I love food?

AQ3107 · March 2013

I'm 5'1, 167 lbs and was eating 1200 per day but plateaued and just upped my calories to 1400.. I'm so freaked out I'm going to end up gaining weight. How many calories are you guys eating and what are your stats?

5'1" working out 3x a week can easily eat 1600-1800 and still lose fat.
Lift weights and youll be amazed!

Give fat a reason not to exist!
Eat right and move right!

I thought the OP said girls?

Alkirra · March 2013

you were wrong! I'm a girl, lady, woman, seer.

mogletdeluxe · March 2013

5'5", 141lb, exercise at high intensity 6 days a week.

I eat 2000 calories, give or take.

AQ3107 · March 2013

you were wrong! I'm a girl, lady, woman, seer.

Nah not you lol although you made my day thanks for the clarification.

the one below the OP question - first page second post - I quoted it! Lol

Am dead impressed that you are a seer though. Wow that must be totally cool. Lol

Sorry x

butterfli7o · March 2013

I aim for 1,700 cals a day. I'm 5'3, about 140 lbs. I workout at high intensity 2X a week and moderately 3X week.

AllAboutThatTreble · March 2013

I'm 5'7, started at 218 (recorded weight, but it was higher than that) and ate between 1200-1350 calories a day + doing Insanity.

Lost 21 pounds by January 3rd and stayed there until ~2 weeks ago when I upped my calories to 1900 and lost 2 pounds right after doing that. Trust me, I was scared to get on the scale and see a weight gain, but I lost weight instead.

ETA current stats:

5'7"
195 lbs
1900 calories
Workout 6x a week (cardio & lifting)

Tulipbirdy · March 2013

1000 calories. (im 5,3 and about 123lbs)

amybg1 · March 2013

I'm 23, 5'8 and eat 1850 cals/day on non-workout days. Would like to weigh around 180-175 and right now weigh 206.6, used to weigh 213.4 or so

glassxxballerina · March 2013

5'9 - 163. I recently switched from 1546 (my BMR) to eating a 20% deficit of my TDEE, which is 2,105. I'm a distance runner, competitive triathlete and ballet instructor so I'm active for at least an hour 5-6 days a week between training and teaching. I was getting absolutely nowhere the first few months (gaining and losing the same five pounds) but I've already dropped weight since switching and feel a lot less lethargic because I'm eating more.