Why does MFP tell you the weight you'd be in x weeks...
blytheny
Posts: 63 Member
Hi!
So, I try very hard to eat my MFP calories (1200) and on days when I excercise and burn 600+ calories, I eat back maybe 200 or 300. I can't possibly eat 1800 cals 4 days/week just b/c I exercised that day - I do NOT have a high metabolism & it would never work.
Doing it this way seems to be working for me... but I HATE when I log in calories that are below my MFP number, and it says "If you keep eating like this, you would weigh xxxxx in 5 weeks" - and it is a nice, lower number than what I am even shooting for in 5 weeks - but then they qualify it with "but you are eating too few and your body will hold back and think it is starving and you actually WON'T lose this amount of weight" etc.
I realize it's all about the computer math, but it is very annoying, b/c I know the number is never accurate.
So, I try very hard to eat my MFP calories (1200) and on days when I excercise and burn 600+ calories, I eat back maybe 200 or 300. I can't possibly eat 1800 cals 4 days/week just b/c I exercised that day - I do NOT have a high metabolism & it would never work.
Doing it this way seems to be working for me... but I HATE when I log in calories that are below my MFP number, and it says "If you keep eating like this, you would weigh xxxxx in 5 weeks" - and it is a nice, lower number than what I am even shooting for in 5 weeks - but then they qualify it with "but you are eating too few and your body will hold back and think it is starving and you actually WON'T lose this amount of weight" etc.
I realize it's all about the computer math, but it is very annoying, b/c I know the number is never accurate.
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Replies
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You can ignore it - which is precisely what I do.0
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think of it in terms of 4 months not 5 weeks0
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I kinda like it because it keeps me motivated to keep going and perhaps I will be the lower weight in 5 weeks.0
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I kinda like it because it keeps me motivated to keep going and perhaps I will be the lower weight in 5 weeks.
That's how I look at it too. It's inspiring. Mine tells me ill weight a stone less in 5 weeks which I'd be ecstatic about.0 -
I ignore it! If it were accurate I'd have disappeared by now!0
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Yeah, I never really understood that, either. I simply don't click "Complete this Entry" anymore.
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This!Yeah, I never really understood that, either. I simply don't click "Complete this Entry" anymore.
It won't change anything, but the weight prediction won't appear! 0 -
I too see it as motivation. Realistically, 4 weeks later, I will not remember what that number was but it keeps me going
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I kinda like it because it keeps me motivated to keep going and perhaps I will be the lower weight in 5 weeks.
Me too!0 -
Since you refuse to actually give the mfp way a try (where you actually eat enough calories to not get a "you are starving yourself and this is unhealthy message) how can you sit here and say it doesn't work?
I can eat 4000 calories in one sitting so you claiming you can't possibly eat 1800 calories in a single day a bit dubious0 -
Since you refuse to actually give the mfp way a try (where you actually eat enough calories to not get a "you are starving yourself and this is unhealthy message) how can you sit here and say it doesn't work?
I can eat 4000 calories in one sitting so you claiming you can't possibly eat 1800 calories in a single day a bit dubious
Totally agree DavPul. i cant see how people survive on so few calories.
I have 2000 ish a day and that just about gets me through. if i had 1200 i would be dead in a few weeks.0 -
Try this for some humor. Quick add a very large number of calories and then complete the log. MFP once said I would weigh a billion pounds. :laugh:0
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MFP gives me too few calories (I supliment them with a fitbit). Before I started substituting I would think, "um, more like 3 weeks not 5!" Now I'm eating a little more so it might be more accurate.
Eating too few calories will slow your metabolism. Slowly raising them might work better for you in the long run. Dropping weight "fast" might be fun, but it won't be fun when you get to your idea weight and gain it all back when you try to eat a normal days amount of food because your body is so use to starving.0 -
Since you refuse to actually give the mfp way a try (where you actually eat enough calories to not get a "you are starving yourself and this is unhealthy message) how can you sit here and say it doesn't work?
I can eat 4000 calories in one sitting so you claiming you can't possibly eat 1800 calories in a single day a bit dubious
I never said I refuse - I just said I can't. There are days, as a night nurse, that I am only awake from 4pm - 10pm, and if I work out during that time period, there is NO WAY I will eat 1800 calories in 6 hours, and not both feel sick and wake up a lb or two heavier. And I never said I wasn't losing weight... I am, about 2lbs/week. But MFP jumps the number like crazy - even when I am only 50 cals under.
So, I was just curious what people thought. I DO know MFP works, and I do eat my calories, for the most part. 0 -
Since you refuse to actually give the mfp way a try (where you actually eat enough calories to not get a "you are starving yourself and this is unhealthy message) how can you sit here and say it doesn't work?
I can eat 4000 calories in one sitting so you claiming you can't possibly eat 1800 calories in a single day a bit dubious
I never said I refuse - I just said I can't. There are days, as a night nurse, that I am only awake from 4pm - 10pm, and if I work out during that time period, there is NO WAY I will eat 1800 calories in 6 hours, and not both feel sick and wake up a lb or two heavier. And I never said I wasn't losing weight... I am, about 2lbs/week. But MFP jumps the number like crazy - even when I am only 50 cals under.
So, I was just curious what people thought. I DO know MFP works, and I do eat my calories, for the most part.
I work night shift as well, and am typically working 12 hour days six days a week. It is possible to eat the recommended amounts with an hour of exercise and only two or three hours of available time a day. The trick is to use calorie dense foods that fit your macros. I'm doing insanity, so I'm typically eating about 2200 calories a day, 80% of which is in the few hours I am not at work. Nut, nut butter, cheese, avocados and the like can add a lot of calories and other nutrients you need. As long as you stay within your macros, calorie dense foods can be your friend.0 -
Since you refuse to actually give the mfp way a try (where you actually eat enough calories to not get a "you are starving yourself and this is unhealthy message) how can you sit here and say it doesn't work?
I can eat 4000 calories in one sitting so you claiming you can't possibly eat 1800 calories in a single day a bit dubious
I never said I refuse - I just said I can't. There are days, as a night nurse, that I am only awake from 4pm - 10pm, and if I work out during that time period, there is NO WAY I will eat 1800 calories in 6 hours, and not both feel sick and wake up a lb or two heavier. And I never said I wasn't losing weight... I am, about 2lbs/week. But MFP jumps the number like crazy - even when I am only 50 cals under.
So, I was just curious what people thought. I DO know MFP works, and I do eat my calories, for the most part.
A lb or 2 heavier over night does not equate to a lb or 2 of fat.... more like water retention. You have to eat in a surplus to gain fat and you are eating at a huge deficit. Weigh yourself ONCE a week at exactly the same time of day (I do it before breakfast but after my morning ablutions) to get a better idea of how much weight you actually lose. Or better yet, take your measurements and track them.0 -
Since you refuse to actually give the mfp way a try (where you actually eat enough calories to not get a "you are starving yourself and this is unhealthy message) how can you sit here and say it doesn't work?
I can eat 4000 calories in one sitting so you claiming you can't possibly eat 1800 calories in a single day a bit dubious
I never said I refuse - I just said I can't. There are days, as a night nurse, that I am only awake from 4pm - 10pm, and if I work out during that time period, there is NO WAY I will eat 1800 calories in 6 hours, and not both feel sick and wake up a lb or two heavier. And I never said I wasn't losing weight... I am, about 2lbs/week. But MFP jumps the number like crazy - even when I am only 50 cals under.
So, I was just curious what people thought. I DO know MFP works, and I do eat my calories, for the most part.
So... you are only awake for 6 hours a day? That means you're sleeping 18 hours a day - which doesn't sound healthy or normal at all. How are you holding down a job, and having time to work out, if you're only up for 6 hours a day? (Also, I can eat all my calories in less than 6 hours, and I'm eating almost 2000 a day, plus exercise. So, yup.)0 -
I simply use it as motivation...I don't take it literally. It just helps me create a reasonable goal and keeps me motivated :flowerforyou:
Those times that I go a little over, I hit it and see that if I messed up one day, it isn't the end of all. Usually I see that I may still lose (very little but lose) even if I ate crappy one time. Or I see that I might maintain or that even if I messed up like that it would take 5 weeks to see a slight gaine. OR if I REALLY go overboard (we all slip now and then, right? RIGHT? LOL) it helps me put in perspective what I could end up gaining if I don't get myself under control.
It's not something that I take to heart, it just helps me stay motivated I guess. We all know the numbers are not exact and probably not exactly what would happen but it gives me a ballpark of where I could end up and how I'm doing on my eating habits.
But that's just my opinion and how I use it :flowerforyou:0 -
Have you ever gone way OVER on your calories? I went on vacation for a few days, but still logged all my vacation foods. What an eye-opener! I was so used to seeing a projected number that was less than my current weight - it made a huge impact when I saw that continuing to be over by 1000 calories would quickly have me back where I started. And being over by 1000 was totally easy when I was having pizza, tacos, bacon cheeseburgers, and fried zucchini. I used to eat that way all the time and wondered, "Why are my pants so tight?" Now I know!
We know that there are variables and not every day can be like "today", but I think it gives a good overall picture. Hit your net calories and you'll continue to go in the right direction. Go over or extremely under, and you'll find it counterproductive to meeting your fitness goals.0 -
Hi!
So, I try very hard to eat my MFP calories (1200) and on days when I excercise and burn 600+ calories, I eat back maybe 200 or 300. I can't possibly eat 1800 cals 4 days/week just b/c I exercised that day - I do NOT have a high metabolism & it would never work.
Doing it this way seems to be working for me... but I HATE when I log in calories that are below my MFP number, and it says "If you keep eating like this, you would weigh xxxxx in 5 weeks" - and it is a nice, lower number than what I am even shooting for in 5 weeks - but then they qualify it with "but you are eating too few and your body will hold back and think it is starving and you actually WON'T lose this amount of weight" etc.
I realize it's all about the computer math, but it is very annoying, b/c I know the number is never accurate.
I never have the issue of not being able to eat my calories
I usually workout so I can eat more
Not sure that that's the way to go though
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I was disgusted with my blow out the other night so I quick added 1,000,000 calories to dinner. Then I finished my day. It told me if I kept eating like that, I'd weigh 4,690kg in 5 weeks!!
You know, though... it didn't tell me off for overeating, the way it does for undereating...0 -
They have to cover themselves for legal reasons - so they aren't seen to endorse undereating etc...0
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Try this for some humor. Quick add a very large number of calories and then complete the log. MFP once said I would weigh a billion pounds. :laugh:
LOL0 -
They have to cover themselves for legal reasons - so they aren't seen to endorse undereating etc...
Oh, I'm well aware of that... though you think there would be a "you ate HOW much??" cut off somewhere in the programming 0 -
I't's just a simple math/excel type of formula. You plug in numbers, it multiplies and divides and subtracts, etc., and spits out a number. Mfp isn't perfect. If it were it would tell you that you should NEVER be doing a 600 calorie workout while consuming 1300 calories net. Your metabolism isn't fast? This is why! It will never be fast with such an approach. The inudustry has you and most others thinking that exercise is the key because they know if they can get you burning a ton of calories doing ANYTHING then whatever it is they sold you on works. Because you'll lose weight.
The food/macronutrient breakdown is the ACTUAL key. Don't do the exercise if you can't eat! It's that simple. Your body DOES NOT LIKE UNDERFED/UNDER-RECOVERED EXERCISE PEOPLE!!! It's just another form of stress to your body. "you came in 300 calories under your caloric goal" ...and our "friends" offer support by saying "nice burn yo!!!" I offer support by saying hit the friggin goal, it's a goal, not a limbo stick, and would you ever run a race and pull up 10 feet before finishing? It's ok, it's not your fault. Well ..... MOSTLY not your fault.
For those that see it as motivation, that's great. Just know it's one step closer to unrealistic, unsustainable patterns. I hate to sound like a debbie downer, but it's the truth. This is why we have a long term failure rate of 95% The TV shows, the ads, the magazine, etc., are simply trying to get your dirty dollar, but it has effected what people expect. Unless you're obese or morbidly obese, you should be expecting and shooting for slow weight loss.
I will be discussing this on video soon. Stick around.0 -
My daily predictions have been extremely accurate for the past 5 months I've been using MFP. I am very careful about logging accurately - use the kitchen scales and have measuring cups etc. I check and double check the foods I'm using in the database to make sure they're the most accurate ones. When I don't have a clue what the constituents of a food is I compare several of the same in the database and try to make an intelligent guess (but I rarely have to guess). I try to eat all my recommended calories and have my lifestyle set as sedentary. I wear a fitbit which is a type of pedometer and it automatically logs exercise accurately and adds or takes away calories depending on how active I am. If I sleep all day it reduces my calories. If I am hiking it tells me I can eat more. I used to do all this manually, but I find wearing a pedometer more convenient since it is more accurate. I like accuracy. Next I usually do not eat my exercise calories - except when I actually feel hungry. If I feel genuine hunger then I am allowed to eat my exercise calories - as many as needed until I no longer feel hungry.
I weigh in every day first thing in the morning after the bathroom, and I write the weight down on the right side of each day on the wall planner in my room. Last thing in the day I submit my diary and write my projected weight down on the left side of the day five weeks from now. It is nearly always accurate when I catch up. There are some anomalies - but what I do works.0 -
So... you are only awake for 6 hours a day? That means you're sleeping 18 hours a day - which doesn't sound healthy or normal at all. How are you holding down a job, and having time to work out, if you're only up for 6 hours a day? (Also, I can eat all my calories in less than 6 hours, and I'm eating almost 2000 a day, plus exercise. So, yup.)
No, you don't understand night shift. I work 7p-7a 3x / week, with the occasional overtime shift from 11p-7a. So, very easy to hold down my job.
But I also need to sleep after work, obviously, so I sleep 8:30am until about 3:30 pm - I try for 7 hours a day. But if I'm not headed back to work for a day or two, that particular day I go back to bed at 10:30 - so am only up for the 6-7 hours I mentioned. Other times I am up for 26 hours, depending on my schedule.
I have been doing this for 14 years, so it is very easy to maintain.... but now that I am mixing in harder exercise sessions, it is hard to eat my calories if I exercise on a day I have slept and am not going back to work, but am instead headed back to bed 7 hrs later.
There are times I WISH I could sleep 18hrs, after a few overnight shifts, though!! 0 -
Okay, so here's another question/thought....
What about the days you are under (like Tuesday for me - normal MFP 1200 but exercised, so really it was about 1800 for the day) I ate 1400) and then the next day, you are over? (No exercise, so MFP for the day was 1200 and I ate 1300)
Do you think your body balances that, when it is just an occasional thing?
I've made my MFP calorie "clock" midnight to midnight, as I'm up overnight 3-4x/week with my job. So I can be under at midnight, but then eat a fair amount overnight b/c I am hungry due to a workout, and it might make me go over just a bit the next day, because after I get home I sleep 7-8 hours and am back in bed that night, if I'm not back to work.
I have taken to adding up my weekly calories at the end of the week and comparing them to my TDEE, and as long as I am under the right amount, I continue to lose 1-2 lbs/week, regardless of those fluctuations, so I am guessing the answer to what I proposed is yes.....0
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