MFP Settings really low for me? What should I be at?

AmykinsCatfood
AmykinsCatfood Posts: 599 Member
edited February 4 in Health and Weight Loss
I've been adjusting my own goals for a little while now because eating the 1200 calories a day that MFP sets for me sounds nuts, with 55% carbs, 25% protein and 20% fat. I still have 65 lbs to lose to get to my first "trial weight" goal so I'm not really sure why it's setting me so low? Currently it's set at 1650 calories, 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat. I've calculated my TDEE (setting at sedentary) of 2125 calories a day, and subtracted 20% as everyone seems to say to do and got 1700, which is very close to what I'm eating at now. I've also increased my protein intake to try to hit as close to the target as I can.

However, I've hit a bit of a wall over the past few months but I'll be honest in saying that I've overdone it on the sweets/junk lately, but not nearly enough to actually gain weight, or even enough to put me at maintenance. I know water retention may have something to do with it, as take out tends to have a lot of sodium and I don't drink nearly enough water to counteract it. I weigh everything I eat, and when I can't weigh it I know enough by now to know what 50g or 100g of meat looks like so I can at least somewhat accurately estimate. I also record everything, EXCEPT for the occasional Coke Zero, which I know only contains 40mg of sodium anyway so I just try to keep track of it in my head.

Diary is open, just don't pick on me too badly for the past few weeks.. I know I could have eaten better, but life just gets in the way sometimes. (Working a new job right next to the food court doesn't help either >.<) Live and learn I guess. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!

Replies

  • AmykinsCatfood
    AmykinsCatfood Posts: 599 Member
    Bump
  • ladynocturne
    ladynocturne Posts: 865 Member
    For just about everyone a 2lb a week loss will set you at 1200 calories a day.

    If you want a more reasonable goal, try setting it to lose 1lb per week.

    When you log your exercise calories and eat those, I'm sure you'll find that you'll be grossing around the same amount of calories as the TDEE -20% method.
  • AmykinsCatfood
    AmykinsCatfood Posts: 599 Member
    Yeah, it is set to 1lb and it still gives me 1200 calories.. I think it's glitched or something. I do the TDEE - 20% but have stalled. Not really sure why either as I'm not over eating and have been more active lately. But like I said, being near the food court has been tempting me lately. Just need to get to the grocery store to arm myself with good food so I don't have to buy any.
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