Low Calorie Mindset could be Ruining my Journey!

Allup2Me78
Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
in Motivation and Support
I have changed my calorie goal on mfp soooo many times. I have this mindset from seeing posts in the forums as well as friends on my page that are my height range (4 ft 10), that we don't need alot of food. Alot of food to me is anything over the 1200-1400 range. If I eat anything over 1400 (unless a cheat meal or binge is involved).. I feel like I am doing something wrong even though I am not satisfied with that #. Per my BMR & Tdee-20% at lightly active I should be eating about 1650-1770 a day. My BMR alone is 1602. I am 195 lbs with a goal weight of 160 and an UGW of 150 which means I have 40-45 more lbs to lose-another reason I feel my calories should be on the lower end so I can get this weight OFF. Mfp gives me 1550 for lightly active which means I wouldn't eat back exercise calories. I am sedentary because I have a sit down job so I used lightly active since I do workout like 4-5 times a week for 30-40 min. Nothing with a really high burn. Finding the correct calorie goal is very important in this journey and anytime I am told I should eat above my Bmr and up to my tdee-20%, I always end up going back to the lower # because I feel like I am doing something wrong eating over 1400. Anyone understand what I am saying or can relate?

Replies

  • losingallthepounds
    losingallthepounds Posts: 5
    I think a low-calorie mindset -- IN MODERATION -- is exactly what you're looking for. You have an ambitious goal, and as long as you are getting to that 1300 - 1400 calorie mark, you're not going to go into starvation mode.

    I can tell you from personal experience, during my weight loss, I burned 2000 - 2500 at the gym every day (I know it's a little extreme) and ate 1200 calories. It worked because my body constantly needed the energy to supply workouts, and it used up my stored fat quite quickly.

    The nutritionist I talked to said this was ok, given my goal -- which was very near to yours. I think the problems really arise when you start to dip below 1200, and especially when you don't exercise on top of that. Because you're exercising, your body won't starve itself or plateau. (Just make sure to switch up that exercise! Rule of thumb = change your routine every six weeks)

    You'll be fine:)

Categories