Newbie....so be nice

Yes you are suppose to net your calorie goal, if you can't eat them all, use them the next day.

Unless you are on your feet very busy all day at your job, like a nurse, or waitress, I think Sedentary is fine.

I know it seems like less calories = more weight loss, but the problem is that it will end up being a lot of muscle, not fat, so while it seems great right now, you will eventually stall out and have a lower metabolism, which takes a really long time to repair.

The calorie goal MFP gives you already contains your calorie deficit, you don't even need to exercise to lose the weight per week that you currently have it set to. So if you do exercise you absolutely should eat those calories on top of your goal.

Also please note that MFP tends to over estimate some calorie burns such as the Elliptical and Zumba, consider eating 80% of those calories.

Also please note that MFP tends to over estimate some calorie burns such as the Elliptical and Zumba, consider eating 80% of those calories.

The MFP burns are crazy high.....I would say eat back 60%, personally.

I burn between 600-800 calories a day working out/ weight training

Just a note that a HRM won't be accurate for weight training. They are made for steady state cardio like running, brisk walking, elliptical, etc. Your HR isn't elevated enough during weight training or sustained long enough for it to be accurate and you will get elevated untrue burns.

Eating too little may work well for a few weeks but eventually it takes its toll either on your spirits or your actual health. Many folks on MFP (me included) have a whole lot to lose and are looking to change to an eating pattern we can sustain long term. Yes, I have days I eat well under my calories for that day but there is usuallly some kind of overeating preceding it so in the long run, I lose 1 lb a week.

So, I would say the thing to do is figure out what the proper number of calories and activity are to loose at about 1 to 2 pounds a week long term and do that. MFP's generic/default figures might not be for you. Lots of us on here can show you how to make other number choices and why.

I'd be pleased to help you make some preliminary decisions. You may well not want to do what I do but I can show you where the info is for making the choices.

Heidi-the-retired-librarian

I was doing another free app but noticed online many people were doing MFP....so I logged on today and I must say I am highly impressed.

It's the honeymoon phase.

You'll get over it.

"ya know......I feel the same way too about eating within the calorie limitations......but do you feel bad sometimes when you eat 'bad calories'?

there aren't "bad calories" so I don't feel bad when I have food. Also, since you're new here:


1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
2. Make sure you eat enough.
3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
12. don't set time restrictions.
13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
14 BE PATIENT.
15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
16. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

pretty much that.

...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

the typical MFP users does this:
1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
9. Argument ensues about who is right.

Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
Take the tips, links, and info above and make the cart more manageable.