1660 calories a day seems like a lot

mclgo
mclgo Posts: 147 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all. I've set my goals at losing 1lb per week, and my calorie allotment is 1660 per day. That seems like a lot. What do you think? I'm not eating all of them PLUS I'm earning another 200-300 from walking each day. To eat them all seems like a LOT of food!

Replies

  • melindasuefritz
    melindasuefritz Posts: 3,509 Member
    depends on how much u weigh and how much exercise u do

    im 202- 5'6 and do 1690 cals
  • onemumsmission
    onemumsmission Posts: 8
    It depends on your current weight vs height etc. if you drop too many calories then your body can go into starvation mode and you won't loose weight. Spread it out over 6 small meals and give it a go. After a few weeks you might be surprised!
  • ClarissaMarie94
    ClarissaMarie94 Posts: 20 Member
    It's really not when you take in to account that you burn about 1500 calories naturally a day without doing much. So your body needs those calories to stay healthy and nourished and to have the energy you need.
    If you feel like it's too much, lower it by 100 or 200 calories. You need to consume at least 1200 calories per day.
    Hope this helped you! (:
  • mclgo
    mclgo Posts: 147 Member
    I'm 5'2" and weigh 228. OMG did I just admit that?!?!?!
    I eat about 1450 -1500 calories per day, and earn about 300 from walking, which I don't eat.
    I understand "starvation mode" but can't wrap my head around it. If I'm eating that little, and walking, shouldn't I be losing?
  • herblackwings39
    herblackwings39 Posts: 3,930 Member
    Hi all. I've set my goals at losing 1lb per week, and my calorie allotment is 1660 per day. That seems like a lot. What do you think? I'm not eating all of them PLUS I'm earning another 200-300 from walking each day. To eat them all seems like a LOT of food!

    The way MFP is set up you need to eat them all and at least some of your exercise calories to net the 1660. If you don't eat the low fat/fat free foods it can add up fairly quickly.
  • MommaChocoLatte
    MommaChocoLatte Posts: 389 Member
    I usually eat between 1400-1500 daily with light exercise. I am 4'11 and 139 lbs and losing roughly about a pound a week on average. It's not as much as it sounds like it is.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    I'm 5'2" and weigh 228. OMG did I just admit that?!?!?!
    I eat about 1450 -1500 calories per day, and earn about 300 from walking, which I don't eat.
    I understand "starvation mode" but can't wrap my head around it. If I'm eating that little, and walking, shouldn't I be losing?

    I'm also 5'2" and started at 200 pounds...lost most of my 72 pounds eating 1700 a day, stalled at about 55 lost and upped to 1850 a day, lost more until recently...now eating 2000 a day and losing. I am moderately active (4.5 hours per week weight training). It sounds fine to me!
  • aprilcarlson
    aprilcarlson Posts: 34
    bump
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    Hi all. I've set my goals at losing 1lb per week, and my calorie allotment is 1660 per day. That seems like a lot. What do you think? I'm not eating all of them PLUS I'm earning another 200-300 from walking each day. To eat them all seems like a LOT of food!

    I eat between 1800-2000 calories per day and consistently lose weight.

    Go with the calculations and see what happens. You'll probably be surprised at 2 things:

    1. You will most likely lose weight
    2. That's really not a lot of food.

    Just get it out of your head that you need to eat like a bird to lose weight!
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    I'm 5'3" and started at 143 lbs. I've been eating 1450 Cals per day on avg, walking 30min (casual stroll w/ the dog) a day and lift weights once a week. Otherwise, I'm sedentary. I've lost 1 lb per wk.

    The more you weigh, the more Cals you need for basic functions. I can easily see that you'll lose just fine on 1600-1700 Cals.
  • Fat_Bottomed_Girl
    Fat_Bottomed_Girl Posts: 355 Member
    You will get used to it, with a smile on your face!
  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    Why does it seem like a lot? I average 1800 cals a day (5'4, 137 lbs)
  • GinJon
    GinJon Posts: 449 Member
    bump
  • Txracy
    Txracy Posts: 78
    I'm 5'3", and when I was SEDENTARY (i.e. desk job, not working out AT ALL), I needed 1400-1500 calories per day. So 1600 doesn't seem like a lot to me. And you're actually working out too, unlike me (I work out NOW, but I didn't for a long time). I think it's a good number to start at and see what works for you. You can always tweak as necessary.

    (I currently consume about 1900-2000 per day, now that I actually get off my butt and exercise. And I'm still managing to trim my waistline!)
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    It also depends on how much you were eating before. At almost 50, I was maintaining on only 1700-1800 to begin with, so I would not lose eating the calories that MFP said I would. Being older and having a higher body fat percentage, lowers my BMR. Trial and error will help you find the level that is right for you. BTW, the exercise calculators on here are way off for middle aged overweight women! :flowerforyou:

    Try out that calorie level and see how you do. If you don't lose, then lower it a bit until you start losing.
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    Why does it seem like a lot? I average 1800 cals a day (5'4, 137 lbs)

    Because you are 26 and the OP is over 50?
  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    Why does it seem like a lot? I average 1800 cals a day (5'4, 137 lbs)

    Because you are 26 and the OP is over 50?

    And her calorie goal is a good deal lower than mine.

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