Do 3500 calories lost = 1 pound lost over long haul?

bathsheba_c

Back when I was behaving, I was losing what MFP estimated I would be losing in spite of doing a lot of estimating.

That said, there are lot of reasons why someone wouldn't lose the amount MFP estimates, even if they are recording everything accurately. Someone might have a slower-than-normal metabolism, so their calculations will be off. Another reason is that you don't only lose fat when you restrict calories; you lose muscle mass as well (strength training helps reduce the loss, but you can't usually* build muscles in a caloric deficit). Muscles do not have the same number of calories per pound, so that will throw the numbers off.

*The very obese and total beginners to strength training can lose fat and gain muscle simultaneously, but the effect is temporary.

HappilyLifts

I've recorded cals in and out since April (excepting a few weeks). Bumping and I'll be back later to let you know...

peterdt

I've recorded cals in and out since April (excepting a few weeks). Bumping and I'll be back later to let you know...

sounds awesome.

peterdt

And what kind of data do you need exactly? I quite clearly stated that that math worked out perfectly for me. How much simpler could I have made that?

3500 calories burned= 1 lb lost for me. It's not rocket science.

Try reading before being snarky next time.

I love that word.. snarky. anyway, I meant like actual food calories, exercise calories and your BMR- comparing those to the actual. but your summary is fine and THANK YOU, exact number would be cool to look at though and over what time period. the longer the time period the better of course.

peterdt

Back when I was behaving, I was losing what MFP estimated I would be losing in spite of doing a lot of estimating.

That said, there are lot of reasons why someone wouldn't lose the amount MFP estimates, even if they are recording everything accurately. Someone might have a slower-than-normal metabolism, so their calculations will be off. Another reason is that you don't only lose fat when you restrict calories; you lose muscle mass as well (strength training helps reduce the loss, but you can't usually* build muscles in a caloric deficit). Muscles do not have the same number of calories per pound, so that will throw the numbers off.

*The very obese and total beginners to strength training can lose fat and gain muscle simultaneously, but the effect is temporary.

You might want to think of tyring to put it all in a spreadsheet (you can look up your old number one day at a time) and seeing if there are any monthly trends. It was eye opening for me compared to daily results.