Calorie Deficit

PositiveAngel · February 2014

Hi there

I'm new to this, its my 'Day 3' and I have 40 lbs to lose and MFP has put my calories at 1200 calories per day.

I have been reading on a lot of the forums that 'calorie deficit' will make you lose weight quicker but then have also then read you MUST eat 1200 calls a day. Would eating 1000 calls mean I lose the weight quicker and are there any foods to try cutting out or eat more of??

Thanks so much!!

trogalicious · February 2014

Hi there

I'm new to this, its my 'Day 3' and I have 40 lbs to lose and MFP has put my calories at 1200 calories per day.

I have been reading on a lot of the forums that 'calorie deficit' will make you lose weight quicker but then have also then read you MUST eat 1200 calls a day. Would eating 1000 calls mean I lose the weight quicker and are there any foods to try cutting out or eat more of??

Thanks so much!!

no. 1200 calories is the minimum that MFP will give you. It's also with a deficit already included. In weight loss, faster =/= healthier or better.

PLUS, your goal is set at 12 lbs. So the 2lb / week goal that you set is too aggressive. Change it over to something realistic. 1lb / week at the most... that's why MFP gave you the dreaded 1200.

There's no need to suffer through it.

Edited to add:

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/

QuietBloom · February 2014

1200 calories is the lowest that MFP will set for you, because it's quite difficult to get all the nutrients you need on less than that. Most people find 1200 quite difficult to adhere to - you may have better success if you set your goal to lose 1 lb per week. When you get to within 15 lbs of your goal, you should change it to 0.5 lbs per week. As you get lighter, it is more difficult to preserve lean body mass while in a calorie deficit. MFP also sets protein goals very low - I would advise you change your protein macro to 1g protein per 1lb of lean body mass. That helps a great deal with preserving lean tissues and keeping you feeling sated.

TeaBea · February 2014

Yep - Trogalicious & QuietBloom both nailed it.

Setting a too high weekly goal is only good for the "number" on the scale......that's not the same as liking what you see after the weight is gone.

_HeartsOnFire_ · February 2014

Hi there

I'm new to this, its my 'Day 3' and I have 40 lbs to lose and MFP has put my calories at 1200 calories per day.

I have been reading on a lot of the forums that 'calorie deficit' will make you lose weight quicker but then have also then read you MUST eat 1200 calls a day. Would eating 1000 calls mean I lose the weight quicker and are there any foods to try cutting out or eat more of??

Thanks so much!!

no. 1200 calories is the minimum that MFP will give you. It's also with a deficit already included. In weight loss, faster =/= healthier or better.

PLUS, your goal is set at 12 lbs. So the 2lb / week goal that you set is too aggressive. Change it over to something realistic. 1lb / week at the most... that's why MFP gave you the dreaded 1200.

There's no need to suffer through it.

Edited to add:

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/

+1

brokenwings337 · February 2014

Personally, if i feel really hungry one day and I am going through my calories too fast, then i make sure i do a really good work out that day. I think MFP tries to stay within guidelines of what is considered "healthy" weight loss so it would be best to not stray too far from the limits they set up. If you feel like you want to get a boost in what you lose, i would think it would probably be better to get at least 200 calories worth of exercise in each day, and then eat 1200 calories, then it would to just eat 1000 calories a day.

I'm not a medical expert or nutritionist or anything, but just from all the research i have done, if you make your deficit too large, or if you dont eat enough each day, you can actually make your progress stall, so just try to have a nice balance.

PositiveAngel · February 2014

oh my gosh you've lost so much! You must be SO proud of yourself really should be you're the kind of person I SHOULD listen too. Before I started on here I tired everything as I only put on the 4 stone in a year!!

I tried the 'carb cutter' pills the appetite curbers the shakes, bars, atkins and with cutting out carbs I nearly passed out! Unfortunately I can't work out at the mo. as on blood pressure meds etc. but I AM going to force myself to go for a walk once a day 5 times a week! Although my feet are sore I think honestly, Im using it as an excuse and after reading your post you've given me a real kick up the *kitten* and I'm going to stop playing around with stupid diets, books, shakes etc and start plain simple weighing food, recording EVERYTHING AND forcing myself to take the pooch out once a day even if for only 15 minutes.

Thanks SO SO much!

_HeartsOnFire_ · February 2014

I tried the 'carb cutter' pills the appetite curbers the shakes, bars, atkins and with cutting out carbs I nearly passed out! Unfortunately I can't work out at the mo. as on blood pressure meds etc. but I AM going to force myself to go for a walk once a day 5 times a week! Although my feet are sore I think honestly, Im using it as an excuse and after reading your post you've given me a real kick up the *kitten* and I'm going to stop playing around with stupid diets, books, shakes etc and start plain simple weighing food, recording EVERYTHING AND forcing myself to take the pooch out once a day even if for only 15 minutes.

Thanks SO SO much!

Yes, Trog knows a thing or two about weight loss.

You are right, the feet sore thing is an excuse. But it's an excuse to also go make sure you have proper walking shoes. I actually went to a running store and had them fit me for shoes. They are awesome and my feet feel MUCH better when I'm walking/running/kickboxing...

Diets don't work. Lifestyle changes do.
Moderation not deprivation.
No such thing as bad food, just bad eating habits.
No magic pills/shakes/detoxes, just hard work and dedication.
Last but not least, believing in yourself and believing that you can do it.

Shelley6591 · February 2014

Hi there

I'm new to this, its my 'Day 3' and I have 40 lbs to lose and MFP has put my calories at 1200 calories per day.

I have been reading on a lot of the forums that 'calorie deficit' will make you lose weight quicker but then have also then read you MUST eat 1200 calls a day. Would eating 1000 calls mean I lose the weight quicker and are there any foods to try cutting out or eat more of??

Thanks so much!!

no. 1200 calories is the minimum that MFP will give you. It's also with a deficit already included. In weight loss, faster =/= healthier or better.

PLUS, your goal is set at 12 lbs. So the 2lb / week goal that you set is too aggressive. Change it over to something realistic. 1lb / week at the most... that's why MFP gave you the dreaded 1200.

There's no need to suffer through it.

Edited to add:

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/

A lot of great info there!!! I think someone with a ticker saying they lost 153 pounds should be trusted

I started with a 1200 cal plan and plateaued quickly, I've tweaked mine several times and make sure you eat back what you burn off! You get the warning of not eating enough and going into starvation mode for a reason! Good luck!

ndj1979 · February 2014

Hi there

I'm new to this, its my 'Day 3' and I have 40 lbs to lose and MFP has put my calories at 1200 calories per day.

I have been reading on a lot of the forums that 'calorie deficit' will make you lose weight quicker but then have also then read you MUST eat 1200 calls a day. Would eating 1000 calls mean I lose the weight quicker and are there any foods to try cutting out or eat more of??

Thanks so much!!

no. 1200 calories is the minimum that MFP will give you. It's also with a deficit already included. In weight loss, faster =/= healthier or better.

PLUS, your goal is set at 12 lbs. So the 2lb / week goal that you set is too aggressive. Change it over to something realistic. 1lb / week at the most... that's why MFP gave you the dreaded 1200.

There's no need to suffer through it.

Edited to add:

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/

+1

+2 I would say that pretty much sums everything up ..

we can shut this thread down….

cwolfman13 · February 2014

1200 is your deficit and a rather substantial one at that....that's why you put all of the info into MFP...MFP is a calculator...that calculates your deficit based on all of that info you put in and your desired rate of loss. Why would you think you put all of that information in and you loss goals ect just to have MFP spit out maintenance calories....and how in the name of all things holy do you possibly think that 1200 calories would be maintenance for pretty much anyone?

Calorie Deficit

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