calorie counting

Gracemagic
Gracemagic Posts: 8
in Health and Weight Loss
Ok so my goal calories are 1560 and I am eating less than 1200 but exceed the fat or protein goal... is not eatting enough calories good or bad?

Replies

  • bajoyba
    bajoyba Posts: 1,153 Member
    It's called a goal because you are meant to MEET it. If you are following MFP's program, you should be coming as close as you can to that number every day.

    Coming in a little under your calorie goal or having a low-calorie day every once in awhile isn't a big deal, but if you're regularly eating fewer than 1200 calories, you could run into problems. At so few calories, it becomes difficult to get proper nutrition from the food you eat. Not only does your body require calories for energy, but it also needs adequate macro and micro-nutrients to function properly. People who eat fewer than 1200 calories a day should only do so under the recommendation and close supervision of a medical professional, and with specific dietary guidelines.

    If you exercise, keep in mind that you are also mean to eat back at least some of those burned calories.

    Look at it this way: if you want to achieve long-term success, you have to develop healthy and sustainable habits, which means eating the appropriate amount for your body and activity level. The point is really to eat as much as you can to reach your goals, not as little as possible. :smile:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    Exactly what she said!
  • Gracemagic
    Gracemagic Posts: 8
    Thank you both... I have tried to eat a minimum of 1200 and I think I am at 1490 calories now.... When I first started I put my 229 weight and my 5'5" height and that I would do 2/ 60 min. exercise sessions a week..... I started at 1560 Calories then got a reset to the 1490. anyway I lost 7 pounds the first week and 4 the next...now with less calories and increased exercise.. seems like the scale doesn't want to move...now I am doing 3/ 60 min of pool calisthenics and 2/ 45-60 min zumba classes a week. I have also tried to walk 15 to 30 minutes 2-3 times a week or more on the tread mill ...... I have also tried to ride horses at least 2-3 times a week.... so why am I stalling... I put in only 2 hours of a workout on the fitness goal thing and I am doing more and eating less....????? I am also writing everything down that goes in my mouth and measuring and weighing....???? I have also not eaten back those calories and have tried to stay close to the 1490 figure.... but have come in just over 1200 some days... only went 442 calories over last Saturday because I was at a benefit... the Old Fashions killed it.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    It sounds like you've increased your activity in the last few weeks, which can sometimes cause the body to hold onto some extra water weight, masking any fat loss that's happening in the background. Some people won't see a loss in the first couple of weeks while their bodies are adjusting to the new routine. Give your body some time to catch up. The scale will start to move in the right direction soon! :flowerforyou:
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Ok so my goal calories are 1560 and I am eating less than 1200 but exceed the fat or protein goal... is not eatting enough calories good or bad?

    Check out your BMR (basal metabolic rate) ....if it's higher than 1200 .....then you are not eating enough.

    Not eating enough can lead to muscle loss....along with fat loss. You need to eat enough to keep the muscle you have.
  • Gracemagic
    Gracemagic Posts: 8
    How do I figure that BMR rate? I thought the MFP did that... and that is how they get the calorie numbers??? just started this so I'm a newby.... also I should mention that I have type 2 Diabetes ..... on medication... hoping I can stop if I get my weight down.... unfortunately, I just got 2 new glucose meters and they both read different numbers when I check.
  • Gracemagic
    Gracemagic Posts: 8
    ok I found that thing that calculates it ... it said 1600 calories. so if I am given 1490 I should lose weight even if I was in a coma...but now I am doing all this activities?
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    ok I found that thing that calculates it ... it said 1600 calories. so if I am given 1490 I should lose weight even if I was in a coma...but now I am doing all this activities?

    Keep in mind that MFP sets your goal low expecting you to log your exercise and will add more calories to your goal as you earn them.

    If you haven't come across them yet, I always recommend starting with these three links:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide
  • Gracemagic
    Gracemagic Posts: 8
    Thank You for the links... I notices another one and tried to add it to my book marks... I am still learning how to navigate through MFP but so far I like what I see..... but it is very nice that I just found that there has been a response to my questions...just have to learn how to maneuver around here to find the help I need... thank you very much for the links.... I will take time to read them.... It is nice that you sent them to me because I don't know how long it would take me to find them on my own...:wink:

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