Is 1500 enough?

unicornpoop
unicornpoop Posts: 178 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hello all,

I am looking for some thoughtful answers.

Here is the story. I started my weight loss journey in January at 235lbs. I am currently 204lbs. From January to May I was losing steadily and eating around 1800 calories a day and also eating back my exercise calories. That was working for me tremendously. Then I plateaued all summer at around 205-204ish to where I am now. I recently lowered my calories to 1500 and I still eat back exercise calories to see if that would start weight loss again.

I am a teacher and work on my feet up and down all day. I eat mostly right (still battling with a crazy sugar addiction) and have committed to eating right again starting this morning.

For someone who is 5'4 and weighs 205, works on their feet all day and exercises 5-6 times a week. Do you think 1500 calories is enough a day? Should I go back to 1800?

Thanks!

Replies

  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    The problem here is that exercise expenditure varies quite heavily and is often over-reported in MFP. (I am not suggesting that you don't eat exercise calories, I'm just commenting on the variance).


    For example, I've seen cases where people say "I'm at 1500 calories" but after exercise calories, they're actually consuming 2400+ which puts them at a surplus.

    I would stay at 1500 and see what progress you're making. Give it 3-4 weeks and see which pace you lose at and make adjustments from there. You can and should let your progress give you information.
  • unicornpoop
    unicornpoop Posts: 178 Member
    Thanks, I am definitely not eating 1500+ calories. I know that I do not burn that much. I usually do weights, zumba or elliptical on intervals. I will try not eating back exercise calories and see what happens.
  • EllaNovella
    EllaNovella Posts: 351
    yes
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Thanks, I am definitely not eating 1500+ calories. I know that I do not burn that much. I usually do weights, zumba or elliptical on intervals. I will try not eating back exercise calories and see what happens.

    I wouldn't stop eating back exercise calories, that's not what I was suggesting at all.

    You're going to create a very rapid drop in calorie intake if you do that. I was simply suggesting that you be patient, see what happens in a couple weeks at your current intake (which for you is 1500+exercise cals) and adjust accordingly.

    If you find out you are NOT losing at your given intake, you should reduce intake. Either lower your base intake or reduce the percentage of exercise calories that you consume (the next logical step would be to eat back 50% of your exercise calories).
  • unicornpoop
    unicornpoop Posts: 178 Member
    Ah, ok, I misunderstood. I was so comfortable at 1800! I miss that. Oh well! I just need to continue on a path to losing again. I've it all in a healthy sustainable way and I wouldn't want to change that now. I see too many people on here who hit a plateau then try something drastic.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Ah, ok, I misunderstood. I was so comfortable at 1800! I miss that. Oh well! I just need to continue on a path to losing again. I've it all in a healthy sustainable way and I wouldn't want to change that now. I see too many people on here who hit a plateau then try something drastic.

    Just one last comment regarding my previous reply. If you aren't happy with your pace at 1500+exercise calories (again, give this some time please) I would reduce the percentage of exercise calories to 50% before I'd reduce base, only so that on your non-exercise days you don't end up being too hungry from having a low base-intake.
  • beckydunks
    beckydunks Posts: 65 Member
    I'm on 1430 a day, I eat low carlorie food thast filling e.g pasta, rice, bananas etc. etc. I know its carbs but oh well :) so far i've lost 9lb since july, my weight loss is slow because i dont' have alot to lose and i find it easier to manintain it :)

    But slow and steady wins the race :)
  • FelicityEliza36
    FelicityEliza36 Posts: 252 Member
    You are doing an amazing job thus far.

    I am also 5'4'' but started at 274 80 days ago and am down 15 lbs (258 lbs) would love to be where you are at. I started around 1200 calories and lost 9 lbs right away then plateaud for awhile. Once I increased my calories to 1500 I lost 6 lbs right away. I never know what to do either :/
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