Question about the Calories in the Profile

for me, I didn't add excerise in the base start up. That way if you do excerise you can eat some of the calories. Just remember, those numbers are avg for most people. You still have to find the number of calories that yours over time.

I too had some issues w/ the low calorie amount. I did some research and realized that for me to lose 1.5lbs a week I should be between 1800-1900 calories. So I went in and manually changed mine to 1800. I initally was allowed 1400. I don't know why MFP is so low. I know a lot of people who think the amount is too low too. I downloaded three other weight loss apps on my iphone and for me to lose 1lb to 1.5 lb they also said 1800 or 1900 something.

There is a website too that you can put your stats in and see what your calories should be. I don't know it off the top of my head but if you google something about how many calories should I eat when losing weight you might find it.

What web site did you ladies use? I feel like my cal amout is to low. I can stick to it for about 4 days and then bing eat for the weekend. So i go no where and it is getting fustrating. I also wondered if my amount of pyisical activity threw the day is acurate. I do a small day care from my home where i look after 7 kids. I was not sure what level of activity i should have put down. Any help would be great.

In the Tools heading it has a MBR rate that MFP bases it's count on. I have done well in the 1200 calorie range due to having to plan what I eat. I try to have something every 2 hours and that stops hunger pains. I choose fruit and vegestables to snack on and this allowes me to have more calories at meal times. I can eat well with around 400 calories or so for 3 meals a day. It just takes planning for me. I love this site however, it is just what I needed to be in control of my body instead of my body contoling me.

Apparently I have the opposite problem of everyone else. I think that MFP gave me entirely too many calories. It wanted me to eat 2000 cal/day. Granted, when I do work out, I tend to burn between 500-700 cal in an hour and I try to do this 3 times per week, in addition to some strength training.
This is probably the first time in my life (and I have been obese since I was a child) that I have accurately tracked my food intake, and as I suspected, I have more bad days than good days. However, when I have a good day, I have around 1200-1600cal and feel fine. It seems that for me to try to eat 2000cal is just too much. But then, when I have a bad day, I blow it all out of the water anyway.
At any rate, I'm sure it will just take some time to get a feel for what works for me and I am glad to know that I can adjust it on here accordingly. I feel like with MFP I will be able to get a handle on my intake, be accountable for what I do eat and my exercise.

This was interesting to me. I went to their website and it says I should be eating no less than 1840 calories, whereas MFP gives me 1230. I am wondering if my weight loss is stalled b/c I am eating too little. I try to keep about 1200-1400 when I exercise, but I wonder if I shouldn't be eating a little more than I am. It's a hard concept to grasp.

The reason why i think it is to little is also cause i am not sure how many calories I am burning each day. I am not sure if my activity level is at the right level. I work from home. But i look after children all day. I have 4 boys of my own. My oldest is 7 and in school. Then my middle son turns 4 this Dec. My twin boys that are turning 3 this Dec as well. I also look after an 18 month old and a little girl who is 4 and her brother who is 6. So i wonder if my activity is at the right level. I know it is not as physical as a construction worker. but i was not sure if I should put it at level 2 or 3. when i put it at level 2 and only have 1400 cal to work with i am starving. my stomach hurts when i go to bed. So i was wondering if i should increase it to the 3rd level where it gives me like 1500 - 1600 cal.