Counting calories

jecalloway91
jecalloway91 Posts: 37
edited November 2023 in Getting Started
I'm having trouble understanding the counting calories process. Tonight when i completed my food log, I was -1 point in fat and at 0 points for sugar intake. But on the flip side I still have over 500 points for calorie intake.. I also was flagged with a note stating I would go into starvation mode if I didn't continually intake 1200 calories a day!!! I'm so confused.. What should I do? Continue to eat and disregard my fat and sugar levels... HELP!

Replies

  • katrinajMiles
    katrinajMiles Posts: 71 Member
    The most important thing to do is look at what you're eating and make sure it is balanced (whole grain carbs, good fats, natural sugars, high in protein and lots if vegetables)

    Can't see your diary to really help out but depending on what is making the fat and sugar levels high depends on if you should really worry much about it or not.
  • 1two3four
    1two3four Posts: 413 Member
    I'm having trouble understanding the counting calories process. Tonight when i completed my food log, I was -1 point in fat and at 0 points for sugar intake. But on the flip side I still have over 500 points for calorie intake.. I also was flagged with a note stating I would go into starvation mode if I didn't continually intake 1200 calories a day!!! I'm so confused.. What should I do? Continue to eat and disregard my fat and sugar levels... HELP!

    If you don't need to track your sugar for medical reasons you can absolutely disregard it. If it were me, I'd eat my daily calorie allotment and try to eat lower fat choices tomorrow. Try to plan your meals in advance so you can even things out and with your carbs, proteins and fats. Eating the right amount of calories is the most important thing for weight-loss.
  • Kristine_7707
    Kristine_7707 Posts: 28
    try this site, it has everything you need to know and more


    http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/
  • amaodonnell
    amaodonnell Posts: 100 Member
    What the other sections are doing are counting your macros. How much you should have for a healthy diet. Your main focus is however your calorie consumption. You don't want too many or too few. What it meant by putting your body in starvation mode is that if your body is only getting so many calories under 1200, it will start retaining the food you are eating and actually cause you to gain weight. Like another poster said, make sure you are filling your diary with healthy food choices and get over that 1200 mark. Don't be concerned by the sugar or fat intake, although they do count and you don't want to go crazy with it (like filling your diary with Snicker's bars), be more concerned about your calorie intake and what those calories are.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I'm having trouble understanding the counting calories process. Tonight when i completed my food log, I was -1 point in fat and at 0 points for sugar intake. But on the flip side I still have over 500 points for calorie intake.. I also was flagged with a note stating I would go into starvation mode if I didn't continually intake 1200 calories a day!!! I'm so confused.. What should I do? Continue to eat and disregard my fat and sugar levels... HELP!

    1200 is as low as MFP will go....so do try to hit that number everyday. Calories are required for basic bodily functions (heart, lungs, kidneys). Eating too little can actually stall weight loss....this is what MFP calls "starvation mode"...it's actually just a plateau here & there.

    Macros in order of importance (I'm not diabetic & don't have medical issues) .....protein #1, fat #2, and then fill in whatever is left with carbs....whole (non-processed) foods are best.

    Many people do change their macros ....I track fiber instead of sugar. I bumped up my protein some....other people do better with higher fat diets....this is trial & error.....you will find what works for you.

    Don't sweat it the first few days ....this is definitely a learning process.
  • haymancm
    haymancm Posts: 280 Member
    You can change your starting calories under 1200. I adjusted mine under 1200 to match the 2 lbs/week goal of mine. It works. I don't pay too much attention to my set macros of 30/30/40 for carbs/protein/fat. My goal is to drink more than 1/2 my body weight in oz for water & eat 1/2 my body weight in protein in grams. I eat back all my workout calories, averaging about 1500/day total, not net. If my sodium is too high, I can counter it the next few days by eating more bunny food, potassium (salads & veggies); right now, I'm in the eat-like-a-bunny phase to offset the 2 sub sandwiches I ate after walk/running 7 miles yesterday. lol

    Add me if you'd like. :)
  • Just_Ceci
    Just_Ceci Posts: 5,926 Member
    I've lost all my weight without paying any attention to macros.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories