Calorie confused

MeltyChay
MeltyChay Posts: 11
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone, I'm new and a tad confused so I'm hoping a few of you wiser souls can point me in the right direction :)
Basically I'm just not sure how many calories a day I should be aiming for...I've started body revolution and that tells me 1200 calories but this site says 1900, that's quite the difference and I'm aware undereating can be as bad as overeating so want to start off on the right foot!

A little useful info: I do 5 hours a day dog walking/horse riding/stable duties and two 30 min workouts, if the weathers nice I'll also cycle the 9km to the stables on top of that but the rest of the time I'm pretty sedentary...I'm aiming to lose 1lb a week so where should I be aiming at?

Replies

  • khall86790
    khall86790 Posts: 1,100 Member
    1200 calories a day leaves you feeling very tired and lethargic. It's also aimed at a general audience whereas MFP is giving you guidelines based on your height, weight, age and the speed you want to lose at.
    I say stick with MFP's guidelines for calories. OR, work it out using the TDEE method: http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    I follow Jillian's workouts too and I basically use her workouts JUST for my workouts and don't really follow her diet advice.
    You want to make a lifestyle change, not follow a fad diet to get instant results that you will lose when you go back to a more regular diet.
  • soozaninpa
    soozaninpa Posts: 3
    Here are some posts that explain setting up your goals, I hope this helps.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
  • MUNCH42
    MUNCH42 Posts: 7 Member
    Hi, I started on MFP 3 weeks ago I've followed loads of diets before, but this seems too good to be true. I am 5ft 1" and when i started 3 weeks ago I weighed 133 pounds I'm down 5lbs and eating loads more. I try not to eat anything which is more than 5% fat per 100g. But my bmr is 1200 cals a day but when I add in the exercise it gives me another 250cals which I eat back! I've followed diets wher I eat 1200 cals a day and exercised but didn't eat the calories back and didn't lose much.
  • 4C_diva
    4C_diva Posts: 43 Member
    1200 calories a day leaves you feeling very tired and lethargic. It's also aimed at a general audience whereas MFP is giving you guidelines based on your height, weight, age and the speed you want to lose at.
    I say stick with MFP's guidelines for calories. OR, work it out using the TDEE method: http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    I follow Jillian's workouts too and I basically use her workouts JUST for my workouts and don't really follow her diet advice.
    You want to make a lifestyle change, not follow a fad diet to get instant results that you will lose when you go back to a more regular diet.

    I totally agree!!
  • acogg
    acogg Posts: 1,870 Member
    Go somewhere in the middle, like 1500 cals. Make sure you are averaging 100 grams of protein so that your workouts payoff and you feel fuller. This a long term commitment, so take your time to get it right. Keep an open mind and adjust when necessary.:flowerforyou:
  • NanaWubbie
    NanaWubbie Posts: 248 Member
    1200 calories net has been working great for me!
  • MeltyChay
    MeltyChay Posts: 11
    So much advice so quickly! Thanks everyone :)
    The links were great and on using the TDEE calculator I get a daily calorie requirement of 2563 so I can see the body revolution plan is too low for my needs and the MFP one seems just about right?
    Lots to learn but thankfully around 1900 calories is very do-able (and means I can still cook the same dinner meal for everyone in the house!)
    :)

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