Confused on how many Calories to eat

anaranetung
anaranetung Posts: 2 Member
edited January 30 in Health and Weight Loss
I just saw this thread:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/855208-i-m-5-0-and-eat-1500-calories-my-story-of-weight-loss

It seems that this website underestimates the amount of calories you need to eat?

I am male, 161cm, 51kg (5'3", 112lbs) right now. When I started in june I was 54kg (119lbs). The website tells me that to lose 1 lb a week I need to stay on 1200cal. I have not followed this number religiously, in fact I often exceed it by 100-250cal. In the thread I linked above, it seems that people who were in the same situation as I am, upped the calorie to 1500.

Not counting in any exercise ( I will eat what I burn if I exercise), is it true that 1200 calories is too little? I am of an average build, and just want to get rid of my tummy.

Thank you for reading!

Replies

  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    1200 calories is very low for a guy. input your stats into the program again...I think something may be off here. Although...looking at what you just said....why do you want to lose any more weight? That won't get rid of poochy stomach...exercise will do that. IF anything, you probably need to gain a little.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    You are underweight you need to eat a minimum of 2500 calories a day and lift heavy chit.
  • anaranetung
    anaranetung Posts: 2 Member
    Thanks guys. I had the idea that my tummy/body fat was carrying the excess weight and losing weight would mean losing those fat.

    Am I correct to say that what I need is more muscle to burn off the fat? I like to unicycle as exercise, never really gymed before. I think I will tag along with my friend the next time he goes to the gym.
  • Agate69
    Agate69 Posts: 349 Member
    Exercise will add lean mass!
  • Gee_24
    Gee_24 Posts: 359 Member
    I have tried change my stats but it will always tell me 1200. It will say 1200 when I:

    Change to Sedentary
    Change to Active
    Update my new weight
    Change my Goals
    Change my time scale ( 1lb, 2lb, etc )

    And it always...always...always churns out 1200.

    That would be fine foodwise but as I drink a LOT of juice to stay hydrated at work, my daily calories are already quartered before I've had any food at all.

    Apparently my BMR is 1600. So in order to have a calorie deficit and with an active lifestyle, it minuses 400 cal ( from my job ) to give me 1200. That sounds ok ( a little hard to maintain 1200 on days off though )

    But even when I change my lifestyle to Sedentary so I can just manually log my work exercise, its still 1200.

    All I know is, 1200 is ok for now. But if I feel its un-doable I will manually change it.
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