CONFUSED ON HOW MUCH TO EAT?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

I wouldn't call it a debate, It's a misunderstanding. People who are for not eating back the exercise calories don't understand how it works.

Agreed.

yes, I would say you are not eating nearly enough and the quality of many of your food choices are empty calories, really. I indulge in treats every day, but my main meals are pretty nutritious. I am not sure about the breast feeding factor, but it seems that you have a calculation in your food planner for it. Where did you find that calorie count for that? Anyway, please feel free to friend me and you can check out my diary. I only joined MFP about a month ago, but have lost 55 pounds in total over 12 months.

I just checked, doesn't look like you're doing it right. Where it says "remaining calories." IT should be as close to 0 as possible, some days you're under by 300-500 calories.

Yeah this

You need to eat more - and you should be eating back your exercise calories if you are doing MFPs calorie calculations as they have already worked in a deficit for you to lose weight. I also agree that you may not be making the best food choices. (me either some days but I am working on it)

Also please read this as said above

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

Hi Jenniens, I agree with the other posts about needing more protein. Have you tried different things for breakfast? During the week when I have to go to work I take 1 cup of plain vanilla yogurt (110 cal) 1/2 - 3/4 cup fresh berries & 1/3 cup KIND granola or I scramble 2 eggs & add turkey sausage or diced ham & veggies (actually I mix all & microwave). For lunch I have 2 cups salad greens, assorted veggies ( cherry tomatoes, gr peppers etc), 1/2 cup chick peas, and either 3 oz chicken strips or a hard boiled egg diced on top. Sometimes both chicken & egg if I am falling short of protein. I try to plan my dinner menu out for the week that way I know how many calories I can have for my breakfast or lunch. If I see I can afford (calorie wise) to have something for a snack then I make sure I have a selection to choose from ( baby bel lite cheese - 50 cal, hard boiled egg - 80 cal, apple - 100 cal etc). I also have protein powder & almond milk so I can mix up a protein shake if I need to.

At a quick glance it looks like maybe you are getting so busy with the baby you are just grabbing whatever is quick & on hand. Understandable of course! Maybe you could start by trying to put together a menu of things that you like & are going to help you meet your nutritional needs. Try thinking of 2 or 3 breakfasts & 2 or 3 lunches that are quick to make that you can rotate between. I just bought a big bag of grilled chicken strips & I weighed them out into 3oz snack baggies & threw them in the freezer so all I have to do is grab one & go. I hard boiled a bunch of eggs over the weekend so they are ready to grab.

Another thing - measure & weigh everything until you know for sure what 1 cup of pasta or 3oz of meat looks like. Even 2TB of dressing. I know for me it is so easy to dish something out "thinking its 1 cup" and then going back & measuring & seeing its twice that.

My DD just had a baby & was breast feeding & she was always drinking water - make sure you get enough of that too. But get your food calories! Redo your math if you doubt your numbers are correct - make sure you are working with the right numbers & good luck. Have you looked here to see if there is a thread for breast feeding mothers?

Hi,
Just looked in on this chat, im confused on this eating your exercise calories also.

If you do add these ,wont you lose less weight...????

Why would you want ?.

Cheers.

Hi,
Just looked in on this chat, im confused on this eating your exercise calories also.

If you do add these ,wont you lose less weight...????

Cheers.

No, MFP builds in a deficit to lose for example 2lb a week without exercise, if you don't eat back your exercise calories you are creating a bigger deficit.

This is not always better - you need to fuel your body. Often people set their goal as an unrealistic 2lbs per week loss and then don't eat back their exercise calories meaning that they are netting a very small number of calories - that isn't that healthy.

ie if you only get 1200 calories per day, then exercise for 200 calories but don't eat them back you only net 1000 calories for the day. This will be far below most peoples BMR (the calories their body needs to survive in a coma).

I hope this makes sense. :ohwell:


Edit: 2lbs per week is unrealistic if you don't have a lot to lose. Lots of people chose it as it is the most MFP allows you. Often 1lb per week is a much more realistic goal.

I'm confused too!!!!! :sad: Ugh... A little frustrated ...I started on weight watchers but the eat whatever want as long as you're within point just did make sense to me. I want to be a healthy eater so I've been doing some research reading about the paleo diet and the flat belly.. But I still feel feel the need to calorie count. I joined my fitness pal hoping I could combine what I've learned but don't really understand the calories earned thing... Can you send me the info too?

I know, long winded...sorry! :happy:

MFP is set up for you to lose weight WITHOUT exercise. You eat what it tells you and you will lose weight, don't even have to exercise. A problem is if you don't eat enough you will stall out.

SO lets say MFP tells you to eat 1,500 calories to lose 1lbs a week. You eat 1,500 calories and go and exercise and burn 300 calories. When you exercise it takes calories away from your body. So it's 1,500(what you ate) - 300(what you burned) = 1,200 calories for your body. MFP will add 300 calories to your diary, if you eat them it will put you back at 1,500 calories(what you need to lose 1lbs a week, your goal)

Thank you soooooo much for simplifying that!!!

I used Weight-watchers for about a year also, did lose some weight.
But they formed a new points system,to include fibre in foods,and i found it was impossible to stick to this new system.

I went from eating OK,to not been able to stay within points .

M.F.P. is working out good for me,great on the phone when not eating at home,
just have hassle trying to cut sweet products down.

suger cravings :>(