Setting myself up for failure? (am I eating too little)

I do not consider anything as off limits - if I want something I plan accordingly and find small portions to buy rather than a big one (that would want eating). It's all about getting organised really.

Banning anything leads to failure - because the banned thing becomes what you want most in the world at some point.

Do make sure to eat back most exercise calories though - I eat at least half to all of them. You can use them to treat yourself if you feel the need.

Some snacks I eat - cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, pickled beetroot (good & tangy), snack a jacks, frozen yoghurt (as an alternative to ice-cream), Boots shapers sweetie range (90 calorie chocolate bar type things), Mr Kipling slices (individually wrapped cake slices, around 120 calories or so). Some of these may be UK only but you get the idea.

Upping calories slowly as you drop weight will helps with maintaining in the long run.

This whole site is set up so you eat back exercise calories. The deficit to lose weight is calculated from your body stats only - exercise is extra. If you don't eat them back, you make the deficit too big. Eat them - you earned them. You should ALWAYS meet your NET goal and not net below 1200.

Also, go in and manually adjust your protein/carbs/fat %ages too - I have mine set to 40% carb/30% protein/30% fat. Protein is a bit low by default - upping it will help protect lean mass as you lose.

Hi,

I was 20st 3lbs when I started and and now 12lbs lighter nearly a month later. I was given 1570 per day and for some reason MFP has said that because I have lost over 10lbs that I should now be eating 1470. Not sure if this is right but going to see what happens. Lost 4lbs the first week, 5lbs the second week due to a stomach bug and then lost 3lbs last week, I did not really do much exercise for those three weeks but have now started swimming and doing more walking. Have not lost any this week so far but am hoping that it does come off, As other people have said, if you are bigger, it does tend to come off a lot quicker. I want to be at least 16st by the time we go to Florida next year but am taking it in baby steps. Here's hoping it all goes well for you and am holding thumbs.

Please let me know if you need any inspiration

Have you set your goals here? I think it's a good idea, if you're just starting out, to go with the calories MFP suggests rather than just choosing a random number for yourself. And definitely eat back your excerise calories.

But I'd also suggest reading up about BMR and TDEE - lots of good posts about those right here on the forums - and work towards gradually adjusting your calories once you have a good understanding of what it's all about.

At your current weight, there's no need to be dropping your calories so fast. Assuming you want to lose quite a bit you have to start with the acknowledgement that it will take time, and long-term commitment. I suggest you give yourself a year (let's face it, you're looking to change your lifestyle, right?), and you can always re-assess along the way. Don't try to lose too much, too quick. Calculate your TDEE which i would estimate is probably somewhere in the region of 2,500 calories, and target 20% less than this number. This would get you to about 2,000. So, from where I'm standing you can still eat plenty and lose weight, at least for a good while. You should also eat back most of your exercise calories.

Take the time to do your calculations properly, then stick with it!

Good luck! What you're trying to do really can be done, and there's a lot of supportive people on MFP who will help in whatever way they can!