Is 2200 calories too much?!
AmandaMaitland
Posts: 136 Member
On the fat2fit website (which has been recommended by many), I calculated my Body fat %, my BMR, and my Goal weight. I chose moderate activity because I workout (usually intense cardio) for at least 40-60 minutes a day 5+ times a week. However it says I should be eating 2220 calories!! I've been eating 1200 for a while now. Will that kind of shock/increase to my body cause me to gain?
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Fat2fit gives you what your maintenance (TDEE) will be at your goal weight, which you'd eventually reach if you ate that amount. You can certainly bump a little bit off that amount to lose a little faster, usually about 10-20% off.
Since you've been eating so little, you might see a temporary increase on the scale as your body replenishes it's fuel storage.
But I'm almost twice your age, and I eat about 2300 to maintain and lose on 2000. Keep in mind, that's total calories, though... you don't add exercise calories to that.0 -
Fat2fit gives you what your maintenance (TDEE) will be at your goal weight, which you'd eventually reach if you ate that amount. You can certainly bump a little bit off that amount to lose a little faster, usually about 10-20% off.
Since you've been eating so little, you might see a temporary increase on the scale as your body replenishes it's fuel storage.
But I'm almost twice your age, and I eat about 2300 to maintain and lose on 2000. Keep in mind, that's total calories, though... you don't add exercise calories to that.
Maybe I'll slowly increase it. For now I'll just bump it up to 1500! Thanks for the response!0 -
Sounds right to me.
If you've been on 1200 for a while you have a couple options- either go all the way to 2200 and expect a short term gain, or make the climb over a couple weeks- Probably I would go to 1500 for a week or two, then 1800 for a week or two then 2200. You might still see a more modest temporary scale gain. Best to stay off the scale for a while until you stabilize your calories for a while- otherwise the temptation will be VERY high to freak out and cut back the calories, even knowing it's not 'real' weight. You have to weather the storm, so to speak.
Probably being a week from Christmas, I would jump all in to 2200 to give myself some extra holiday calories, but it's up to you.
Like Lorina said, make sure not to add back exercise calories using this method, they're already figured in.0 -
Sounds right to me.
If you've been on 1200 for a while you have a couple options- either go all the way to 2200 and expect a short term gain, or make the climb over a couple weeks- Probably I would go to 1500 for a week or two, then 1800 for a week or two then 2200. You might still see a more modest temporary scale gain. Best to stay off the scale for a while until you stabilize your calories for a while- otherwise the temptation will be VERY high to freak out and cut back the calories, even knowing it's not 'real' weight. You have to weather the storm, so to speak.
Probably being a week from Christmas, I would jump all in to 2200 to give myself some extra holiday calories, but it's up to you.
Like Lorina said, make sure not to add back exercise calories using this method, they're already figured in.
^good advice0 -
Sounds right to me.
If you've been on 1200 for a while you have a couple options- either go all the way to 2200 and expect a short term gain, or make the climb over a couple weeks- Probably I would go to 1500 for a week or two, then 1800 for a week or two then 2200. You might still see a more modest temporary scale gain. Best to stay off the scale for a while until you stabilize your calories for a while- otherwise the temptation will be VERY high to freak out and cut back the calories, even knowing it's not 'real' weight. You have to weather the storm, so to speak.
Probably being a week from Christmas, I would jump all in to 2200 to give myself some extra holiday calories, but it's up to you.
Like Lorina said, make sure not to add back exercise calories using this method, they're already figured in.
^good advice
Yes, excellent. I lose on 2100 and mantain around 2300 and I am 5'4" and 138. 1200 is unnessary in my opinion, especially if you work out at all. Why suffer?0 -
Sounds right to me.
If you've been on 1200 for a while you have a couple options- either go all the way to 2200 and expect a short term gain, or make the climb over a couple weeks- Probably I would go to 1500 for a week or two, then 1800 for a week or two then 2200. You might still see a more modest temporary scale gain. Best to stay off the scale for a while until you stabilize your calories for a while- otherwise the temptation will be VERY high to freak out and cut back the calories, even knowing it's not 'real' weight. You have to weather the storm, so to speak.
Probably being a week from Christmas, I would jump all in to 2200 to give myself some extra holiday calories, but it's up to you.
Like Lorina said, make sure not to add back exercise calories using this method, they're already figured in.
Would it make sense to keep it at 1500, then add exercise calories? I usually burn anywhere from 500-1000 per workout.0 -
I set my budget to sedentary and then only add intentional exercise as I do it. That way there's no doubt about whether I met my commitments for the week or not and I can decide if I want to eat those calories back or not.0
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Would it make sense to keep it at 1500, then add exercise calories? I usually burn anywhere from 500-1000 per workout.
That would work, too. It's probably what you'd get if you had your MFP setting to lose .5 pounds a week, which is where you should be as close to your goal as you are.0 -
Would it make sense to keep it at 1500, then add exercise calories? I usually burn anywhere from 500-1000 per workout.
That would work, too. It's probably what you'd get if you had your MFP setting to lose .5 pounds a week, which is where you should be as close to your goal as you are.
Agree. Balance it out over a week and both methods will be very close in total calories. Whichever you prefer is fine. I'm an exercise calorie eater, Lorina does static calories. Whichever way you prefer is fine.0 -
Sounds right to me.
If you've been on 1200 for a while you have a couple options- either go all the way to 2200 and expect a short term gain, or make the climb over a couple weeks- Probably I would go to 1500 for a week or two, then 1800 for a week or two then 2200. You might still see a more modest temporary scale gain. Best to stay off the scale for a while until you stabilize your calories for a while- otherwise the temptation will be VERY high to freak out and cut back the calories, even knowing it's not 'real' weight. You have to weather the storm, so to speak.
Probably being a week from Christmas, I would jump all in to 2200 to give myself some extra holiday calories, but it's up to you.
Like Lorina said, make sure not to add back exercise calories using this method, they're already figured in.
^good advice
Very good advice
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Thanks very much ladies!! You all look wonderful, by the way!0
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What stops one's body from gaining actual fat when they go from 1200 to 2200 calories? You said she'd see a temporary gain in weight that is from "fuel"? I don't understand, this fuel is what exactly?0
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What stops one's body from gaining actual fat when they go from 1200 to 2200 calories? You said she'd see a temporary gain in weight that is from "fuel"? I don't understand, this fuel is what exactly?
Because you are not eating above your TDEE. Fuel = food. You eat more you weigh more as you have more food inside you plus you often retain more water due to higher carbs. It balances out in the end though.0 -
5'4" 129lb, exercise 5-6 hours (strength & cardio) per week, and I'm losing at 1800. I heart food!!0
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What stops one's body from gaining actual fat when they go from 1200 to 2200 calories? You said she'd see a temporary gain in weight that is from "fuel"? I don't understand, this fuel is what exactly?
Fuel is generally glycogen. If you're in a severe calorie deficit your glycogen stores don't get replenished. Each molecule of glycogen is bonded with 3 molecules of water, so when you rebuild your glycogen stores you gain a bunch of water weight.0 -
What stops one's body from gaining actual fat when they go from 1200 to 2200 calories? You said she'd see a temporary gain in weight that is from "fuel"? I don't understand, this fuel is what exactly?
My understanding is that when you eat more, your body will store more glycogen. Glycogen is stored in the muscles and is the body's secondary source of energy (1st being fat). Your muscle needs to retain more water in order to retain more glycogen, so some of the additional weight is water. If you are doing a lot of cardio but not eating a lot, your body is probably quite often running on very low levels of glycogen, so if you suddenly increase your calories your body will increase glycogen levels rapidly.
If any part of that is misinformation someone please correct me!
^^^someone else got there first! 0 -
All sound good, I have to get back to it and let these girls be example....eat more, workout more, look hotter!???!!!! I'm in!!! :happy:0
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yepppp!! im 5'4 140 and maintain at 2300 enjoy your food!! 0
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All sound good, I have to get back to it and let these girls be example....eat more, workout more, look hotter!???!!!! I'm in!!! :happy:
hahah I know right!!
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I just checked a website calculator & it said I need 2321 calories to maintain (1447 basal metabolic rate + 874 activity).
I usually only eat 1300-1600 calories
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With your stats, that sounds legit to me. I'm shorter than you and quite a bit older, lightly active, and losing at 1900 calories.0
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