500 calorie a day goal and less than 20lb to lose?

yram28

I have 20lb to lose and started on here on a 1200 calorie goal. This is fine when I exercise as I tend to burn about 400 caloried per session, so can eat 1600 cals. This suits me well - I don't feel hungry, and I can make the right food choices while staying in my limit.

The problem comes on days when I can't exercise (I aim for 3-4 workouts a week). 1200 just isn't enough! I have just upped my calorie goal to 1500, and will aim to stick within in that each day, regardless of whether i exercise or not.

I am 5 ft 4 and weight 150lb, anyone else seeing success with a similar goal, on 1500 a day instead of the recommended 1200?

yram28

Sorry the title should read 1500 calories, not 500!!

lilcutemonkees

You should still lose weight at 1500 a day, just at a potentially slower rate. It all depends on how much muscle mass you have; the more muscle, the more calories you can manage on rest days without it affecting your weight loss. I always get told 1200, but on a rest day that's just not plausible!

yram28

I haven't got much muscle mass, but I do tend to rush about a lot in my daily life, so that's got to burn a few extra calories!

Chadomaniac

u exercise , stick at 1600min

EmmaKarney

Up your net calories - 1200 is too low.

There are umpteen threads on here explaining why...

primrosehill

I hear you sister!! I'm 5ft 3 and weigh 161. To lose a 1lb a week I'd have to be on a net of 1200 - like you say, it's ok when you can get some exercise in but it's very hard to stay that low otherwise. I had dreadful fatigue, headaches, low mood etc. Recently upped my cals to 1330 and trying to move more on the days I can't exercise formally (I'm a student and a teacher and have to drive for 3 hours a day so very sedentary). Feeling tonnes better and not bingeing as much, but have plateaued for two weeks. Hoping that might be because I've upped my strength training a lot for a few weeks - certainly more toned even if the scales aren't moving!

Feel free to add me as a friend and we'll support each other. I think your approach is sound.

xxx

RLGallt

I've been doing the 1200 a day & find it not too difficult.....I'm losing but at a slow rate the past two weeks....however, it's 20 degrees out there & i am not walking in that lol.....walking is really the only thing i actually like as far as exercise....

moonsforeyes

1200 calories a day is the minimum suggested we humans need to eat a day. It can be difficult for a lot of people (including me) I found that consuming 1500-1600 a day was MUCH more effective and i didn't feel deprived AND most importantly I lost weight! & not even at a slower rate either. I remember in the first month, I lost around 7 pounds (which I think is quite good!) I was about 145 pounds and working out about 5 days a week and made sure to eat back my exercise calories (I only ever ate them back in fruits, vegetables and whole grains)

so basically, YES. Eat more calories. You will lose weight and feel satisfied/less deprived and overall happier haha

EmmaKarney

1200 calories a day is the minimum suggested we humans need to eat a day.

The minimum we need to eat each day is our BMR - this is different for everyone.

Pretty much everyone's is higher than 1200 so I don't know why MFP goes this low - but once you know your BMR you should definitely go no lower than that.

yram28

Thanks for all the responses. I had my BMR defined a couple fo yers ago and it was 1400, so I guess that's the lowest I should go. I'll stick with 1500 net for now and see how I get on!

fespo276

I freaked when I read "500." Ya, 1200 is tough. I am 185 and shooting for 1500 a day. On non-exercise days, I have to be SUPER careful with my food choices (obviously). I hate vegetables, but salad(s) of all kinds are really coming in handy in helping me feel full. On those days, I can't even consider nuts and nut butters. Even raisins and the like are a problem. Also, I usually reserve about 125-150 calories for an evening snack, just to get me to sleep. Hang in there.