Daily Intake: 1200 calories query

R55T

Hi all,
I'd appreciate a clarification if anyone can assist.
I typed in my details, goals & exercise plans on starting today & my daily calorie goal is calculated to be 1,200cals.
Does that mean I should eat more than this, exercise then the net should be 1,200cal?
It just seems that if I do 30mins of exercise, whatever calories burned would mean my intake is much less than 1,200???
Or is this the way to create this net calorie deficient to facilitate weight loss?
PS: if anyone can tell me how to add someone as a friend as well, that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
R

Warchortle

MFP doesn't factor in exercise and the caloric values are just estimates at best and not strict guide lines... you'll see a war between <1200 calorie Nazi's and exercise Nazi's... either way I think 1200 calories is not sustainable and even if you lose the weight the failure rate of gaining back weight is very high. I rather have someone eat 1450 daily with exercise.

melaniecheeks

You should eat 1200 calories if you don't exercise. When you do some exercise, add that to your diary and it will tell you how many more calories you can consume.

The site is set up that you can lose weight without doing any exercise.

To add a friend, go to that person's home page (click on the blue name under their avatar) and click the button "add friend". It's usually nice to add a message as well stating why you'd like to be friends.

tonytoo

Try and eat 1200 calories gross. Then if you're hungry or tired from exercise you have the option to eat 1200 net. It's entirely up to you. See what works best *for you*.

sozisraw

You eat your exercise calories as 1200 will be lower cals than you need for energy in a coma!
Make sure your settings are truthful on activity level and you may want to put 1/2 loss a week in. ( you probably will still lose more!)
As a shorty myself its difficult to get more than 1200 when you input your settings!
Good luck!

Warchortle

Also, there is a way to somewhat cheat the 1200 calories if you look at themodynamic value of food... you can research it yourself, but: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AGBve05YhU

SkimFlatWhite68

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818082-exercise-calories-again-wtf?page=1

Read this, should explain it.

R55T

Thanks everyone,
Appreciate all the feedback. I get it now.
Have a good evening.

R55T

Wow, the food as well as exercise diary is such an eye opener on my 1st day. I've never been much of an eater, I prefer to have 3 beers for dinner. Take that unhealthy habit away, I don't give my body enough nutrients. . . I struggled yesterday to reach the 1200 cal gross yesterday.
Time to regroup & get on to eating healthy to lose weight.