Is it "bad" to be under your calorie goal?

emwaitexo
emwaitexo Posts: 45
in Health and Weight Loss
Today for example, I had 3 meals and snacks and plenty of water. But I didn't reach my calorie goal. I still have about 300 something calories left.

Replies

  • x_JT_x
    x_JT_x Posts: 364
    Depends on how low your calorie goal is really. One day here and there isn't a big deal. If you have a very low calorie goal and are consistently under, in the long run you may see problems arise.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    How much are you eating on average?
  • NocturnalGirl
    NocturnalGirl Posts: 1,762
    It depends on how large your deficit is already. A one off is fine but it's good to be around your goal
  • rebeccap13
    rebeccap13 Posts: 754 Member
    It is bad depending on how low your calorie goal was already set especially in relation to TDEE.

    Also, if you really are 16 like your profile says, might watch out since this site is 18 and up.
  • emwaitexo
    emwaitexo Posts: 45
    My totals for today are 967 calories.
    My daily goal is 1,359
    and remaining is 392.
  • NocturnalGirl
    NocturnalGirl Posts: 1,762
    My totals for today are 967 calories.
    My daily goal is 1,359
    and remaining is 392.

    Is this how your days are like usually? It is definitely too little. Being a 16 year old, you are still growing and definitely need much much more than that. What are your stats? 1359 calories doesn't seem like enough either.
  • rebeccap13
    rebeccap13 Posts: 754 Member
    My totals for today are 967 calories.
    My daily goal is 1,359
    and remaining is 392.

    Is this how your days are like usually? It is definitely too little. Being a 16 year old, you are still growing and definitely need much much more than that. What are your stats? 1359 calories doesn't seem like enough either.

    Agreed, have you ever used TDEE? And what is your weekly weight loss goal set at?
  • emwaitexo
    emwaitexo Posts: 45
    1.8 pounds a week, and what is TDEE?
  • rebeccap13
    rebeccap13 Posts: 754 Member
    Total Daily Energy Expenditure - how many calories your body needs to maintain its current weight.

    What are your stats? You can PM them to me if you don't feel comfortable putting them up here. Also, what are you doing for workouts?

    Chances are unless you're over 100lbs overweight, sustainable weightloss range would be anywhere from 0.5-1.5lb/week. 1.5lbs/week would be if you are near that 100lbs overweight mark. Usually people see the best long term losses and results by not making such a drastic deficit.
  • emwaitexo
    emwaitexo Posts: 45
    I changed my settings. They were off. Basically I want to lose 1.5 pounds a week. I am including all healthy foods, I was just curious if we had to reach the exact number every day, because the calorie amount seems like a lot if I'm trying to lose weight.
  • NocturnalGirl
    NocturnalGirl Posts: 1,762
    Total Daily Energy Expenditure - how many calories your body needs to maintain its current weight.

    What are your stats? You can PM them to me if you don't feel comfortable putting them up here. Also, what are you doing for workouts?

    Chances are unless you're over 100lbs overweight, sustainable weightloss range would be anywhere from 0.5-1.5lb/week. 1.5lbs/week would be if you are near that 100lbs overweight mark. Usually people see the best long term losses and results by not making such a drastic deficit.

    This. And also, considering your age, your TDEE will be slightly higher than that of an 18 year old with the same stats. A deficit of 15-20% from your TDEE at most seems reasonable. A drastic deficit is not safe, especially for someone still growing (which I am speaking from experience when I was your age). Good luck!
  • rebeccap13
    rebeccap13 Posts: 754 Member
    I changed my settings. They were off. Basically I want to lose 1.5 pounds a week. I am including all healthy foods, I was just curious if we had to reach the exact number every day, because the calorie amount seems like a lot if I'm trying to lose weight.

    Try to get within 100 cals or so. Its already creating a deficit that will make you lose so eating too far below that could eventually lead to fatigue, a weight loss plateau and malnutrition.

    Are you working out at all?
  • emwaitexo
    emwaitexo Posts: 45
    Yes I have been working out everyday. Usually 40 minutes on the treadmill. At a brisk walk and incline. Then I do some core training with a stability ball and I include stretching before and after.
  • jnn0409
    jnn0409 Posts: 171 Member
    I changed my settings. They were off. Basically I want to lose 1.5 pounds a week. I am including all healthy foods, I was just curious if we had to reach the exact number every day, because the calorie amount seems like a lot if I'm trying to lose weight.

    Try to get within 100 cals or so. Its already creating a deficit that will make you lose so eating too far below that could eventually lead to fatigue, a weight loss plateau and malnutrition.

    Are you working out at all?

    Agreed. I try to eat as close to my goal as I can get when I don't exercise. When I do exercise I eat only SOME of the calories back because I think MFP over estimates on some exercises.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,412 Member
    Drink some milk.
  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
    I'd try to get closer than that. Plan your meals the night before if you're having that much trouble.
  • mainetechie
    mainetechie Posts: 6
    The exercise at that caloric level is really high. I would highly recommend lowering the aerobic activity, preferably adding more free weight and functional exercises.

    Having more muscular activity (you will not look like a bodybuilder, thats only with steroids and hormonal therapy) can help make up for the fact that your BMR (ie. metabolism or the total energy expenditure) is already lowered by the reduced eating (less digestion, more fatigue, likely lower body temp).

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