Help! Trying to set a reasonable calorie goal for me.

aguethler

Hi! I am fairly new to myfitnesspal. I used it for awhile to maintain after loosing 13lbs of baby weight in May (Medifast 4 and 2 plan). Unfortunately, I didn't watch my appetite and gained it all back by September. I am 5'2 and started about a week and a half ago at 135lbs. I would like to get down to 125 as quickly as it is healthy for me to do so with an eventual dream goal of 120. I went with the suggested goal of 1220 kcals knowing that I would probably plan to be a little over each day. I average about 1350 to keep without feeling too deprived (full meals, healthy snacks, and a little treat every day). I want to loose weight but I also don't want to do so in a way that makes me feel like I am not enjoying life. I did great the first week, but the last few days I have been feeling weak, cranky, and lightheaded (I also went down to 132.5 in the last 10 days). I am of course happy with the loss, but I think the lightheadedness might be too few calories. I unfortunately can only do a formal workout 2-3 times a week as I have 4 kids under the age of 6 who keep me hopping. When I do work out I do a stroller strides class that estimates about 400 kcal or do an evening walk of 2-4 miles. What would be a good calorie goal for me? Should I eat a bit over my goal, but under my maintenance calories for a few days to get the lightheadedness to disapear? It doesn't seem to go away when I eat although it is worse when its just about time for a meal?

Oh and I do stay very hydrated so that is definitely not the reason for the lightheadedness. I could be getting a cold though as my little germ sharers have been sick.

meshashesha2012

you should first spend a few weeks figuring out your maintenance calories and go from there.

start by using any of the BMR formula that can be found on the net. eat that amount for a few week. if you lose weight then your maintenance is more that that if you gain then it's less and if you maintain then it's right

geekyjock76

With about 10 lbs to lose, set your weekly weight loss goal to no greater than half a lb per week. However, I'm with Mesha in that you should up your calories to the max amount until you are not gaining nor losing to establish what your actual maintenance is, first.