MFP giving different goals than rest of internet?

jennetsullivan
jennetsullivan Posts: 37 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all! Quick background: Really fat. Two babies, including 1 6 month old who doesn't sleep. Trying to lose weight. Was stuck for AGES until I got my body comp done (my body fat was over 50%) and the guy told me to just eat my BMR because that would help get me jump started. Well, my BMR was 1791 so I have been eating 1800 calories and losing weight! Yay! :bigsmile:

I've been working out 1-3x a week doing a bootcamp that's moderately intense and includes lots of weight lifting and cardio. I can, for the first time in a long time, do a situp! And I'm working on doing an actual modified pushup. It's pretty awesome. (I've also given myself plantar fasciitis, but that's a different story :grumble: )

I am NOT eating back my exercise calories right now. I don't feel hungry and am eating good foods (at least I think so, haha) so I think that's been working ok. I'm good about listening to my body - if I am hungry, I'll eat regardless of the calories that particular day.

So - I'm almost 15 pounds down and read that I might need to re-do my calorie count. All of the internet is still putting me around 1800, but MFP puts me anywhere from 1200-1500 calories a day to keep losing a pound or two a week.

Here's my question: Why is MFP so different? Obviously they're calculating something different, but how much does it matter? I keep hearing people say to trust MFP??

Second: IF I override the system with my calories is there any way to figure out the correct nutritional goals based on that calorie count? I can't get it to change from 221 carbs/89 protein/59 fat. I really like watching all those numbers like potassium and fiber - are they supposed to change with different calorie amounts??

I'm so confused. I just don't want to stop my forward progress! Sorry if I sound like a total newb, but any advice or pointers would be appreciated!!

Replies

  • bekoeko
    bekoeko Posts: 1 Member
    I'd say stick to it or re-evaluate your weight loss goals. You lose really quickly in the first couple of weeks then it gets slower (at least that's what happened to me). It could be trying to compensate for this slowing downs since your goal is to lose 2lbs per week. Also make sure you put in your weight correctly. When I lost 10 lbs, and MFP told me to recalculate it only took 50 cals off my diet.. not 300.

    Good Luck!
  • jennetsullivan
    jennetsullivan Posts: 37 Member
    Well, that was why I was posting. I'm sure I adjusted it to 1800 when I received that advice about a month ago, so I just didn't know what would happen if I suddenly started eating 1500 calories. I'm losing good weight now - so wouldn't restricting 300 more calories a day put me into starvation? My BMR is still coming in at around 1855 calories with my current weight.

    I don't know if I can eat 300 calories less, haha!
  • Briaboo4
    Briaboo4 Posts: 1,080 Member
    What did you enter as your activity level? How many lbs per week are you trying to lose?
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    if you're losing weight on 1800, why would you want to eat less?

    MFP is giving you lower figures because its designed for you to eat back exercise cals.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    So - I'm almost 15 pounds down and read that I might need to re-do my calorie count. All of the internet is still putting me around 1800, but MFP puts me anywhere from 1200-1500 calories a day to keep losing a pound or two a week.
    MFP goal is plus exercise calories.
    TDEE calculators already include exercise.

    MFP weight loss goals take 500/day off your maintenance calories for every 1lb a week weight loss you select.
    TDEE calculators tend to work in percentages.
    I'm losing good weight now - so wouldn't restricting 300 more calories a day put me into starvation?
    What does losing good weight mean? How fast are you losing weight?

    BTW - There's loads of useful stickies pinned in the Getting Started forum.
  • k80flec
    k80flec Posts: 1,623 Member
    This is a good read that is understandable.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Don't be put off by the thread title - but it is a great explanation of the strangeness that is MFP. Good Luck in your weight loss journey.
  • fknlardarse
    fknlardarse Posts: 210 Member
    Don't eat any less, that's a viscous trap and you will hungry, cranky and ultimately fail in your goals. Joint the eat more to weigh less group on here it's full of great advice.
  • jennetsullivan
    jennetsullivan Posts: 37 Member
    MFP weight loss goals take 500/day off your maintenance calories for every 1lb a week weight loss you select.
    TDEE calculators tend to work in percentages.

    Ahh, this makes sense!
    What does losing good weight mean? How fast are you losing weight?

    BTW - There's loads of useful stickies pinned in the Getting Started forum.

    Losing 1-2 lbs a week. Which my doctor said is fine considering how overweight I am. I guess my real question was more about adjusting the macros in the goals...but I probably can find it on the forums somewhere.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Losing 1-2 lbs a week. Which my doctor said is fine considering how overweight I am. I guess my real question was more about adjusting the macros in the goals...but I probably can find it on the forums somewhere.
    This is the set up I've been using - it includes how to custom set your macro goals.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    And definitely think you shouldn't reduce calories right now.
  • ChrisM8971
    ChrisM8971 Posts: 1,067 Member
    You can set custom macro goals in the settings but this is done on percentages rather than actual numbers unfortunately.

    I think the MFP default is 50% Carbs, 20% Protein and 30% Fat. You need to change these to give you the closest match to your requirements (5% moves are the minimum)

    As to what you change them too depends on what your goals are because everyone will offer you different advice on this, for example you see 40/30/30 mentioned a lot, though personally I struggle with 30% protein so go for 45/25/30

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