New to MFP, need adivce on daily calorie intake!!

jvnoonway

Hey all!
I switched to MFP recently from WW, I have 1260 daily cals and I also earn about 600per day through exercise. My question is, why am I not hungry?? I was always STARVING on WW, and now I'm satisfied, I"m worried I am doing something wrong! Please help!
I am wondering if I am supposed to be eating my exercise calories? and if I am, how am I losing any weight? I'm still in my first week, will weigh on Monday.

lasmit4477

Hi! First, how much weight are you looking to lose? Second, how active are you, aside from intended workouts and are you working out every day? What type of exercises are you doing?

elothen

Personally, and no offense to WW fans, I think WW is crap. I don't think anything is a substitute for just eating the right amounts of high quality food. 2 weeks ago I could easily go into Pizza Inn and eat 8 slices of pizza, 4 slices of dessert pizza, and down 3 glasses of coca cola. After just a week of my new diet I sat down last night to a ~400 calorie dinner, got done, and thought geez I ate too much...

Have faith in the numbers and just let time do it's magic.

lasmit4477

Personally, and no offense to WW fans, I think WW is crap. I don't think anything is a substitute for just eating the right amounts of high quality food. 2 weeks ago I could easily go into Pizza Inn and eat 8 slices of pizza, 4 slices of dessert pizza, and down 3 glasses of coca cola. After just a week of my new diet I sat down last night to a ~400 calorie dinner, got done, and thought geez I ate too much...

Have faith in the numbers and just let time do it's magic.

Good for you, but you didn't relate to any of her questions. Also, after looking at your diary, you seem to love South Beach Diet Meal Replacements.

PikaKnight

If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes


Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group: (Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress


For info about your macros (proteins/fats/carbs) - check out this link. It will give you the formula to figure out your #s and also how to custom change them in MFP:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets


For those eating below their BMR, not going to preach at you, but here's something you might want to look at:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/81391-starvation-mode-myths-and-science


Yes, this is can all be overwhelming and complicated , but you are more than welcome to ask questions on the post.
One of the things that I have found that has been one of the best methods for me to get fit is to understand fitness. To understand where all these figures, etc come from.

The good thing is once you get the hang of it - it is something you'll be aware of constantly and you'll get a better understanding about your eating habits.

So I HIGHLY suggest making the effort to take every chance to educate yourself. Even if you don't end up going with any of these methods, calculations, etc - at least you understand what they are, where others are coming from, and maybe they will still be able to help you figure out what is best for you.

Tilran

Hey all!
I switched to MFP recently from WW, I have 1260 daily cals and I also earn about 600per day through exercise. My question is, why am I not hungry?? I was always STARVING on WW, and now I'm satisfied, I"m worried I am doing something wrong! Please help!
I am wondering if I am supposed to be eating my exercise calories? and if I am, how am I losing any weight? I'm still in my first week, will weigh on Monday.

Not being hungry could be from different reasons depending on how your diet has changed. Are you drinking more water? This will give you the feeling of being full. Are you eating less carbs? Many people attribute extra hunger to eating alot of carbs. Are you eating less calorie dense foods? You can eat a whole garden for a very low amount of calories yet the amount of food in your stomach will be huge therefore sending full signals to your brain.

In the end, it comes down to science and you need to hit your appropriate macros as close as possible. (Calories, Carbs, Fat and Protein)

Hit all those numbers accurately and win.

First you need to figure out your BMR and TDEE, from there you can assemble a good strategy.

jvnoonway

I am still looking to lose about 70lbs total. I excercise every day about an hour. Both cardio and strength.

jvnoonway

Hi! First, how much weight are you looking to lose? Second, how active are you, aside from intended workouts and are you working out every day? What type of exercises are you doing?

I am still looking to lose about 70lbs total. I excercise every day about an hour. Both cardio and strength.

jvnoonway

Hey all!
I switched to MFP recently from WW, I have 1260 daily cals and I also earn about 600per day through exercise. My question is, why am I not hungry?? I was always STARVING on WW, and now I'm satisfied, I"m worried I am doing something wrong! Please help!
I am wondering if I am supposed to be eating my exercise calories? and if I am, how am I losing any weight? I'm still in my first week, will weigh on Monday.

Not being hungry could be from different reasons depending on how your diet has changed. Are you drinking more water? This will give you the feeling of being full. Are you eating less carbs? Many people attribute extra hunger to eating alot of carbs. Are you eating less calorie dense foods? You can eat a whole garden for a very low amount of calories yet the amount of food in your stomach will be huge therefore sending full signals to your brain.

In the end, it comes down to science and you need to hit your appropriate macros as close as possible. (Calories, Carbs, Fat and Protein)

Hit all those numbers accurately and win.

First you need to figure out your BMR and TDEE, from there you can assemble a good strategy.

So you're saying that I need to hit all the carbs/fat/protein numbers too, what if I"m not doing that?? will I gain?
Thank you for the help!

jvnoonway

Thank you all SO much!! this is SUCH a big help!

junipearl

MFP factored how much you want to lose and how fast into the calorie goal it gave you (1260).. so yes, eat back your exercise calories and you will still lose weight at the rate you indicated when you first signed up

lasmit4477

Hi! First, how much weight are you looking to lose? Second, how active are you, aside from intended workouts and are you working out every day? What type of exercises are you doing?

I am still looking to lose about 70lbs total. I excercise every day about an hour. Both cardio and strength.

Based on the information you put in and the calorie deficit it gave you, I am going to assume that you put in a 2 lb or 1.5 lb loss per week. I would recommend that you eat at least half of your exercise calories. Also, there are some good links provided above. Please take time to read over them. As far as your macro's are concerend, you can set them up on individual preference and goals. However, as long as you are in a calorie deficit you will lose weight, even if you do not hit your target macro goals.

For example, you can go under "My Home" tab, click on "Goals", click on "Customize", click on "Change Goals" and then change the percentages it gives you for your fats, proteins and carbs and then click save. Most find that 35% carbs, 25% fats and 40% protein works well for them.

Again, I do recommend that you take a look at the links that were provided and I wish you the best of luck!

jvnoonway

Hi! First, how much weight are you looking to lose? Second, how active are you, aside from intended workouts and are you working out every day? What type of exercises are you doing?

I am still looking to lose about 70lbs total. I excercise every day about an hour. Both cardio and strength.

Based on the information you put in and the calorie deficit it gave you, I am going to assume that you put in a 2 lb or 1.5 lb loss per week. I would recommend that you eat at least half of your exercise calories. Also, there are some good links provided above. Please take time to read over them. As far as your macro's are concerend, you can set them up on individual preference and goals. However, as long as you are in a calorie deficit you will lose weight, even if you do not hit your target macro goals.

For example, you can go under "My Home" tab, click on "Goals", click on "Customize", click on "Change Goals" and then change the percentages it gives you for your fats, proteins and carbs and then click save. Most find that 35% carbs, 25% fats and 40% protein works well for them.

Again, I do recommend that you take a look at the links that were provided and I wish you the best of luck!

I POURED over the links!! Granted, I did not quite understand everything, but I am glad to have the information. Thank you so much fo the help and advice!