finding your calorie target and experimentation

twostepsforward

There is so much discussion about BMRs TDEEs etc but its very hard to decide exactly where you should place yourself. Everyone is different and so will lose on different calorie targets. I know a lot of people do eat more to weigh less but you have to start somewhere to work out what numbers you need to eat and I'd rather start low and get a positive result on the scale next week! (Had a particularly bad week this week - no exercise as I hurt my knee a week or so ago - for once I faithfully logged all my calories and found I averaged out at 2166 cals per day - a bingey week too. Clearly way too high as I gained 4.4lbs! Aargh!)

I am thinking of doing a week at 1000 a day (yes it is low but just a kickstart) and then the following week up it to 1100. Then the week after to 1200...etc. When I stop losing on the scales then I have perhaps met my set point for losing.

Any thoughts? (Am not after an argument by the way, just some constructive criticism!) BTW, 5'3'', 176lbs looking to start strength training (female body breakthrough) next week as my sore knee is getting much better)

Thanks - looking forward to your opinions!

TavistockToad

I wouldnt go down to 1000, its not worth it IMO. stick to the calories MFP gives you when it is set to lose 1lb per week, eat back your exercise calories (if you have less than 50lbs to lose) and if it doesnt work after 6 weeks, then try changing your calories!

Poods71

I wouldnt go down to 1000, its not worth it IMO. stick to the calories MFP gives you when it is set to lose 1lb per week, eat back your exercise calories (if you have less than 50lbs to lose) and if it doesnt work after 6 weeks, then try changing your calories!

I would definitely agree with this. I would be starving on 1000 cals, especially if you are going to exercise too. I am only 5' 2" and I upped from 1200 to 1400, don't really get much exercise :blushing: and I am losing slowly but surely.