500 or 1000 calorie deficit?

katiev111
katiev111 Posts: 19 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm 167....wanting to get down to 140 maybe 130. So far...I've been eating a 1000 calorie deficit for over a month, MFP allots me 1500 cals/day. Is 1000 calorie deficit too much? Should I be eating at a 500 calorie deficit instead? Also...what are your opinions on Zig-zagging? MFP allots me 1500 cals/day however zig-zagging is telling me 2000 cals some days, 1500 (at the lowest) other days.

Thanks!

Replies

  • katiev111
    katiev111 Posts: 19 Member
    Bump
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    Nothing wrong with a 500 calorie per day deficit.
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    I'm 167....wanting to get down to 140 maybe 130. So far...I've been eating a 1000 calorie deficit for over a month, MFP allots me 1500 cals/day.

    Before answering your question, it would be helpful to know how successful you've been. If you've been eating a 1000-calorie daily deficit for over a month, you should have lost at least 8.5 lb. since you started. Have you lost that much? If so, your estimates match your reality. If you've lost less, then either your BMR is on the low end of the range or you're (1) underestimating how much you eat (2) overestimating exercise calories, or (3) both.

    I don't see any problem with having a fluctuating deficit. I often eat over my goal some days and well under on other days; as long as things balance out over the course of the week, I'm content.
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    I personally find a true deficit of 1000 cals per day hard to maintain. I's also more likely to lead to loss of strength than a 500 calorie daily deficit. However, it's still a fine choice if you have the motivation for it. Just make sure to eat plenty of protein and hopefully do some resistance training too to prevent loss of muscle.

    Before you up your calories you should take bwogilvie's advice. Check how much weight you've lost so far to make sure you calories in / out #'s are accurate.

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