New Here, Can someone explain please?

junip1977
junip1977 Posts: 111 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello everyone, my name is Katie and I am new here. I just need a little help understanding this whole weight loss thing based on counting calories. I figured out that I was probably consuming about 2100-2300 calories a day. I have set my goal at 1700 calories a day. I am disappointed to see that it will only lead to a .8 lbs weight loss a week. I don't want to lose alot per week, but I was kind of hoping more for about 2-3 lbs. When we use the food tracker, I see that it adds calories back into your daily total after you add an exercise. Does this mean I have to eat those calories or can I just stick to my original 1700 a day without exercise? I hope I am making sense. ;) Thanks for everyone's help!

Replies

  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    If you are using the guided "wizard" to set up your goals, then yes, eat those calories back because the deficit is already built in. At the end of the day, your "calories remaining" number should be between -100 to 100.

    0.8 lb/wk is a pretty healthy weight loss depending on how much you have to lose. 2-3 lb/wk is a pretty unreasonable goal unless you have about 200-300 lbs to lose. Think of how long it took you to get to the weight that you are now. It is unreasonable to think you can undo that in a short period of time. You have 50 lbs to lose, so you can probably up the deficit to 1 lb/wk maybe a little more, but not 2-3 lbs/wk.
  • junip1977
    junip1977 Posts: 111 Member
    Hi, thank you! I guess I am just impatient, but of course what you said makes sense. Thanks again for explaining the calorie thing. :)
  • lc52820
    lc52820 Posts: 76 Member
    It is frustrating when you want to lose more quickly but trust me, those baby steps will add up in the long run! My weight loss has over all been rather slow but what I've been able to keep off what I've lost. Best of luck to you! Feel free to friend me for support.
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    Two to three pounds a week? Not smart or healthy...doable, I guess, but you really shouldn't. Slower and smarter is better...and more likely to be sustainable. A pound a week is a good pace. And do eat back your exercize calories, but make sure the amounts you're logging are accurate, MFP numbers for exercise tend to run high. A HRM would be better, if you have one. Good luck, you can do this!
  • alexveksler
    alexveksler Posts: 409 Member
    Hi Kathie,

    You already set your goal and that's a great starting point. You already know there are many factors that can speed up or slow down weight loss progress. May I suggest you reading this post? There are many. Most of them will describe what you really need to understand and apply. Here is one for a starting point:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes?hl=yoovie

    Take a look, ping if any questions. Good luck!!
  • junip1977
    junip1977 Posts: 111 Member
    Hi Kathie,

    You already set your goal and that's a great starting point. You already know there are many factors that can speed up or slow down weight loss progress. May I suggest you reading this post? There are many. Most of them will describe what you really need to understand and apply. Here is one for a starting point:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes?hl=yoovie

    Take a look, ping if any questions. Good luck!!

    Thanks, this was very informative and I found out I should actually be eating more calories then I set up for myself. :)
  • junip1977
    junip1977 Posts: 111 Member
    It is frustrating when you want to lose more quickly but trust me, those baby steps will add up in the long run! My weight loss has over all been rather slow but what I've been able to keep off what I've lost. Best of luck to you! Feel free to friend me for support.

    Thanks! How do I add you as a friend? :)
  • lasmit4477
    lasmit4477 Posts: 308 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12


    I suggest that you read the about link! Hope it helps!

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