How many calories should I be eating?

jconnolly528

I have my calories set at 1200. I have no problem meeting that. Some times I go a few under (like-11, not hundreds) and sometimes I go over. I don't freak out either way. Anyway- my BMR, according to MFP, is 1,360 calories a day. Should I set this as my daily goal? I do C25K every other day and have a desk job, so i'm not super active. I don't eat back my exercise calories, either, unless I go over 1200 by a few and eat into them a tiny bit. I have been losing weight steadily, but i'm a little confused about this.

tuffytuffy1

You'll get different opinions on this, but many on this site recommend calculating your TDEE and then cutting that number by 20% to get your goal calorie intake - assuming that 20% cut is above your BMR. If it is not, I would eat at or slightly above your BMR.

djc315

How many pounds a week do you have it set for you to lose? How much total do you need to lose?

I have it set for me to lose 2 pounds a week because I have a lot to lose. But if you don't have a lot to lose, I'd consider a pound or half pound a week loss.

I personally just go by what MFP tells me to do by the guided goals. I did switch it up so I eat more protein and less carbs (not by a lot, just 5 or 10%).

jconnolly528

How many pounds a week do you have it set for you to lose? How much total do you need to lose?

I have it set for me to lose 2 pounds a week because I have a lot to lose. But if you don't have a lot to lose, I'd consider a pound or half pound a week loss.

I personally just go by what MFP tells me to do by the guided goals. I did switch it up so I eat more protein and less carbs (not by a lot, just 5 or 10%).

I have it set to lose 1 pound per week. I only have 19 more to goal. MFP set me at 1200.

djc315

What if you changed it to half a pound, does that increase your daily goal? It might but might not, but I think it's worth trying.