Newbie - not sure about total calories

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Hi there,

I'm new to this whole tracking thing but I'm excited to make a change in my life. I do really well with fresh fruits and veggies and have been limiting anything that comes in a package greatly. But I need to make sure I'm calculating everything properly it's all so confusing.

I'm 32, female, 5'1", 160lbs
My BMR according to this website - http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator is 1487.3
Sedentary daily intake - 1784
Lightly active - 2045

I work a desk job but am aiming to work out 30mins to an hour 3 times a week plus roller skating (for roller derby) twice a week.

For weight loss it tells me 1284 calories for sedentary and 1545 for lightly active.

Is this correct? I'm worried about that being too low to jumpstart any loss. MFP says I need a net calorie goal of 1220.

Replies

  • sandradev1
    sandradev1 Posts: 786 Member
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    MFP calculators are OK for some people, but as they are vague they don't fit everybody. MFP'r Helloitsdan has prepared a fact sheet giving information and calculators to work out your BMR and TDEE. The link is:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    As your BMR is the number of calories your body requires even if you were in a coma, just to exist, I would not let your net calorie intake fall below that number. Usually the maximum deficit of calories is your TDEE minus 20% as your calorie goal.

    Hope this helps.
  • rochellet_00
    rochellet_00 Posts: 9 Member
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    Hey there! I am 5'4", 143 lbs hoping to lose 13 lbs. I am trying to intake under 1200 cal and I work out 2X per week for 30 mins. It says I am in a deficit, but it all depends on your personal goal. I use MFP as a guide line, but I also have my own goals. Do what you feel is right, 1500 cal is reasonable if you work out and are trying to lose weight because net cal should be about 1200 cal depending on your goals and when you would like to reach it. Good luck!!
  • sandradev1
    sandradev1 Posts: 786 Member
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    Eat at a calorie level too low and you will need the answers that the following post is getting right now. These posts are on the board all the time from people who are not eating enough:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/825576-i-m-not-losing-weight-help