confused but working on it

Alright short sum up. I started this journey January 6thish. I set my settings in MFP app to the following: Sedentary, 5'4'', 305, female, age 35. (lose 2 pounds a week) Calorie goal was 1580 from MFP.

I have lost 44 pounds making me now weigh 260.8. I updated my setting at about 285 and MFP sputed back to eat 1480 calories. (still set to 2 pounds a week) I updated a few weeks ago when I was 270 and the calorie goal was 1380. That was not enough but I stuck with it for 1 week. I was tired all the time, and cranky so I upped the calories to 1480 again.

I have since lost almost 10 more pounds. I do not even dare to go by what MFP suggests for calories as it will be lower than 1380 and I need more than that.

Here is the confusion: Every calculator is different. TDEE (or whatever) is different in every site I go to, ranges from 1940ish to 1600ish. I realize a goal of two pounds a week is a lot and I am not stuck on that any longer. I want to lose the weight in a healthy manner. I do strength training a few days a week to keep and or increase muscle mass while losing fat.

So where should I actually go to calculate how many calories I should be eating?

Replies

  • You're off to a great start. Excellent!
    I always say, abs arent made in the gym, they are made in the kitchen!

    I eat beets to keep up my energy levels. (I know, random, right?) I was watching Dr. Oz a while back, and he brought up a great product that I tried out for weigh loss management. It has worked wonders for me for keeping the weight off - BUT you must combine it with eating correctly. I found a Twitter posting that allowed me to receive a discount on this product - I have used the code a couple times and it has worked (maybe they forgot to take the discount off ;)

    Here is the blog with the code if you are interested - http://bit.ly/Zed2ai

    Think about attending local farmers markets to purchase fresh foods! Local grocery stores arent always the best places to buy your meals from!
  • MaeRenee94
    MaeRenee94 Posts: 175
    I follow MFP's plan and it has worked for me. Every calcualtor will give you a different answer. You just have to pick one and stick to it. MFP told me to eat 1200 caloreis wich at first wasnt a problem as I stuggle with annorexia, but as my doctor worked through this with me we have raised my calorie intake to 1700. You are going to need to adjust your calories to what feels healthy to you. But when I was eating really low and I would feel horrible and get headaches and dizzy really bad I took a liquid form of vitamin B, and it did wonders for me.

    Just pick a plan, and stick to it.
  • lightdiva1
    lightdiva1 Posts: 935 Member
    Just had a doctor's appointment for my yearly exam. We talked about weight loss and how much I should be eating and my macros. I brought prints of my dairy for the last 3 months and that helped my doctor see what I was eating and how much I was eating.

    Good new: I am doing great, blood work looks better, loss of 50 pounds since last year. (Go me!)

    As for caloric intake, my doctor started with a body fat test with calibrators. According to those I have 35% body fat not 45%, which is what I was getting off websites using calculators. So, to anyone who is really curious about how accurate those online calculators are, they aren't at all.

    Secondly, my doctor suggested I up my calories to 1700 minimum. I am pretty full of of 1480, but I can easily up it to 1700 by eating avocado more, and enjoying more olives and such. Good foods I love, but also healthy ones.

    Found out my anemia has actually gotten a lot worse since losing weight, so I get to start taking 800 mg of iron a day and up my vitamin C to 600%. (Easy to do, I drink Spark. 2 servings of that and I hit the mark.) With the added iron, I will likely experience constipation of some sort, so upping my fiber as well. Which all means that eating more will be harder as I won't be as hungry with all the added fiber and iron. However, protecting my muscles and becoming healthy is the goal. Not fitting into a bikini.
  • MaeRenee94
    MaeRenee94 Posts: 175
    This is all good to hear!!!