Please help!!

lisahaug9
lisahaug9 Posts: 23
in Health and Weight Loss
I don't understand this at all (which is probably why I'm not losing weight)

According to the calculations my BMR is right around 1600 - MFP gave me a calorie goal of 1200 but then I exercise and it increases my calories to 1600-1700 which is right at my BMR. So am I supposed to just eat the 1200 (which I have been) or do I follow the math and eat the higher calories.

All I have ever heard is that I shouldn't go over 1200 so the higher numbers scare me.

Please don't laugh at me :-(

Replies

  • berlys
    berlys Posts: 27
    I have a calculation I use. Not sure what time zone you're in, but if you want to give me a call, we can figure it out. Private message me and let me know.
  • berlys
    berlys Posts: 27
    Btw, this one confused me too;)
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    As a rule - never eat under your BMR.
    All I have ever heard is that I shouldn't go over 1200 so the higher numbers scare me.

    I believe you've probably misheard/misunderstood. The "general" idea is that you shouldn't eat below 1200 Cals. I put the general in quotes because, if your BMR happens to be less than 1200 Cals (which is for extremely few adults), then sure - 1200 is fine.

    What you'd be better off doing is calculating TDEE and eating 20% less.
  • laylaness
    laylaness Posts: 262 Member
    If you are following MFP's calculations, you should eat back your exercise calories.

    If you are eating TDEE -20%, you do not eat back your exercise calories.
  • baja572
    baja572 Posts: 94
    unless your Dr. said not to eat over 1200....don't worry about it!
  • lisahaug9
    lisahaug9 Posts: 23
    Thank you everyone for all the great info and advice. I was definitely going at this all wrong, which is probably why my weight isn't moving. I had a spreadsheet passed on to me which shows me what I should be aiming for.

    You are all great - and I finally don't feel alone anymore in this battle.

Categories