beginner

MFP is pre exercise calories so you should eat them back. Also, I bet you chose a high per week weight loss option like 2lbs a week, which is why MFP gave you 1200 calories. Based on your routine, i would suggest eating 1600 calories daily, macro's around 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fats and do not eat back exercise calories (this is the TDEE method). Also, make sure you have a food scale to ensure accuracy and lower the chance of plateau due to measuring wrong.

Hello all! I am trying to get started and do this the right way. I am 5 foot 1, 26 years old, and 130 lbs with a goal of 112-115 lbs. According to MFP I should be eating 1200 to lose whether I'm active or not but According to bmi-calculator.com I should be eating 1662 on days I'm not active and 2389 if I am very active, and on fat 2 fit radio 1584 on days I'm not active and 2277 on days I'm very active. I currently do not exercise but am starting that today with a mix of Jillian Micheals dvd's, yoga, just dance, walking, and a monthly challenge that does arms, abs, and legs. So, can ANYONE give me some guidance?!?!?! I really want to succeed with this and just need a hand to go in the right direction. Thanks!

Wow, your diving straight in and changing your entire life around. May I suggest a different approach?

You are currently already at a healthy weight. But of course having a healthy weight isn't the same as having a great body, so I'm guessing that's your goal (rather than losing weight to become healthy). The 112-115 you're aiming for is also fine for your length so nothing wrong there.

People only have a limited amount of willpower so if you want to change both diet and exercise in a big way at the same time it's quite likely that you'll not be able to keep it up for a long time. What is sustainable however is building new habits, 1 or 2 at a time. In your case I would actually go adding in some exercise first. It's very possible just that change will help you lose some weight. And with exercise I mean mostly lifting, which is great because it doesn't cost you a lot of time. (30 min 3* per week) Lifting also helps because it increases your metabolism for a long time and it gets you stronger (but not bulky, unless you want to spend the next 4 years taking steroids) and improves your shape. You'll get better posture, a rounder butt, you can even lift your boobs a bit by increasing the chest muscles underneath.

You could look for the "New rules of lifting for women", the e-book can be found online for free or look at: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

Then after you've done this for about a month you can look further into your eating. Do you already notice that your body is changing? Then you might not need to change anything. Otherwise adjust accordingly. Especially if you've been logging your normal intake during the previous month it'll be easy to see how much you can eat.

I would consider doing a programmed around weight training or resistance training. This helps preserve lean body mass - in conjunction with adequate protein - and will give you better composition. This is why you probably were not as tone as you wanted to be.

I would consider doing a programmed around weight training or resistance training. This helps preserve lean body mass - in conjunction with adequate protein - and will give you better composition. This is why you probably were not as tone as you wanted to be.

Any suggestions of a good program to do?

At home I like chalean extreme , body beast (my fav) and the pond series is good. You can also find good routines on bodybuilding.com and even find some on fitnessblender.com or youtube, like extreme 90.