Confused...need help please

texasokie
texasokie Posts: 65 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been trying to figure how many calories I need to eat daily and also my macros. It's all so confusing to me. I'm a 55 year old female, 5'2" and weigh 187 pounds. I'd like to lose 2 pounds a week. I work at a desk job so I sit most of the day. Not very active. MFP says I'm to eat 1200 cal a day but most of my friends say that's not enough. I've tried to figure out the TDEE but don't understand it. Could someone please help me to make sense of all this. Thank you.

Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    2 pounds a week setting is probably too aggressive although I'm your height and age but 115 lbs and my BMR is just under 1200. It sucks to be older and small!
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    1. 2 lbs a week is really aggressive and may not be a realistic goal.
    2. MFP says to eat 1200 PLUS exercise calories - so if you work out you need to eat more
    3. I use the fat2fit app to figure out TDEE - they also have a website: http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/
  • j6o4
    j6o4 Posts: 871 Member
    Change it to 1lb loss a week.
  • klinger6395
    klinger6395 Posts: 44 Member
    IIFYM.com .. use calculator ... legit
  • samuelsson
    samuelsson Posts: 74 Member
    Love this calculator: http://iifym.com/iifym-calculator/

    Editing to add: If you use the above calculator (AND YOU SHOULD!), make sure to select "Customized Activity Level" under "Formula". Then you enter in the breakdown of minutes per week in which you engage in each level of activity. Be very, very honest. No one will see this but you!

    You can then also adjust your macro goals for fat / protein / carbs, and the calculator will give you grams per day and even grams per meal (you can dial in the number of meals you eat per day) for which you can aim. It's amazing.
  • texasokie
    texasokie Posts: 65 Member
    Thank you all so much for the advice. I'll definitely check out the calculators.
  • jmayerovitch
    jmayerovitch Posts: 71 Member
    2 lbs a week is completely plausible with a significant amount of exercise, but without it you'd have to be severely restricting your calories.

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