Sorry to be the '1200' person

If you only have 10-15 lbs to lose, you should set your goal at 0.5 lbs per week. Way more manageable and less hangry :laugh:

Also, do you work out regularly? If you are using MFPs numbers, you are expected to eat back some of your exercise calories, and working out can make you hungry! I set my activity level to sedentary, and then on day's I work out I log it in, it gives me some extra calories and I try to eat back about half, because MFPs calorie burn numbers may be a little high.

I started at 141, have been eating around 1500-1600 calories and have lost 6 pounds in about 3 months. It's a little slow, but it's working and I'm not starving myself. Good luck!

So you're new here?

here:
Tips? Here ya go.

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. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
18. 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/

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

...and here's another approach.

Block off 6 weeks. log EXACTLY what you eat for those six weeks, weigh at the beginning, weight at the end. If you've lost, you're eating under your TDEE. If you haven't lost, congrats.. you found your TDEE, if you've gained... then you're above TDEE.

From there, look at how much you lost or gained and you have a rough estimate of how to shift your intake to balance it out.

Online calculators are great, but they're just estimates. They give you decent ideas for starting points. From there, it's on you to fine tune it.

Try eating foods higher in protein and fats, yes fats they've gotten an undeserved bad reputation in years past but fats and proteins can be much more satiating than any carb you can put into your body, I usually start out at breakfast with a coffee with butter and heavy whipping cream and drink plenty of water, that can also help curb appetite, but once I get that butter, heavy whipping cream & 16 oz of water in me I can barely finish a plate of spinach salad without feeling stuffed.

Don't be sorry just recalculate your TDEE using fitness frog and see how the resulting cal goal compares to the MFP one.

@ trogalicious

Dude mind if I copy/paste that reply to anyone else who asks this question? It's an awesome reply.

could always just give them this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

same stuff.

I'm reading all this back lash for the 1200/day people and now I'm like...should I not only be eating 1200 a day? I'm not miserable on it but I do go over like one or two days a week...because beer.

I'm reading all this back lash for the 1200/day people and now I'm like...should I not only be eating 1200 a day? I'm not miserable on it but I do go over like one or two days a week...because beer.

add up the week and see what's your average...

So you're new here?

here:
Tips? Here ya go.

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. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
18. 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/

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

...and here's another approach.

Block off 6 weeks. log EXACTLY what you eat for those six weeks, weigh at the beginning, weight at the end. If you've lost, you're eating under your TDEE. If you haven't lost, congrats.. you found your TDEE, if you've gained... then you're above TDEE.

From there, look at how much you lost or gained and you have a rough estimate of how to shift your intake to balance it out.

Online calculators are great, but they're just estimates. They give you decent ideas for starting points. From there, it's on you to fine tune it.

Best advice ever and even though I'm not new to this, I'll definitely be taking it to heart. Thanks!

So you're new here?

here:
Tips? Here ya go.

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. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
18. 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/

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

...and here's another approach.

Block off 6 weeks. log EXACTLY what you eat for those six weeks, weigh at the beginning, weight at the end. If you've lost, you're eating under your TDEE. If you haven't lost, congrats.. you found your TDEE, if you've gained... then you're above TDEE.

From there, look at how much you lost or gained and you have a rough estimate of how to shift your intake to balance it out.

Online calculators are great, but they're just estimates. They give you decent ideas for starting points. From there, it's on you to fine tune it.

Best advice ever and even though I'm not new to this, I'll definitely be taking it to heart. Thanks!

this is such good advice, definitely taking it! I'm on 1200 a day, (now going to change that) but I actually get so full if I eat 1200 a day. is this concerning or..? thank you

Children in Africa, North Korea, inner-city USA are "starving"....just sayin'

I'd rather answer this question a thousand times and set someone on a path to succeed long term than sit back and let everyone take an aggressive 2 lb loss goal thinking it's okay and possibly fail because they honestly believe that's how little they have to eat to lose weight or risk muscle loss in the long term.

Hunger cues are terrible indicators of actual hunger both being full and not BUT there is a set amount of calories a person needs to sustain their body without negative impact like muscle loss, fatigue, etc. Most people do not need to eat 1200. I'm one of those people who started out thinking I had to do 1200. I quickly switched to 1650 net and was much happier that way.

The things I find help keep me full are fats, protein and fiber. For active people around 1g per pound of lean body mass in protein is recommended for muscle retention. Fats I treat as a minimum as they are necessary for hormone control and overall health. Carbs I let fall wherever they may, I tend to go high carb for the energy. Fruits and vegetables are a general staple for the fiber, vitamins and the fact I can fit more of them into a day then other things. Just have to play around and find foods you enjoy to help you meet your goals and keep you satiated.

I'm new here :ohwell:

I would like to lose 10-15lbs...I put in a rate of 1lb per week and MFP told me 1200 cals. I'm only on day 3 and well...I'm starving all the time. I'm eating all of my 1200, I don't know if it's maybe what I'm eating that's not filling enough, or if the 1200 is incorrect? Perhaps I should do 0.5lbs per week?

I feel like I'm just setting myself up for failure because there is no way I can sustain being this hungry all the time.

You need to figure out what your TDEE and your BMR is and then figure out what your deficit needs to be. It appears your reasonably normal in the BMI category. I would shoot for .5 pound a week maybe less. That's pretty reasonable.

I struggled on the 1200 and upped it to 1440. I averaged 0.5-1 lb a week and lost a total of about 25 lbs last year. Then I ignored following my calories (not advisable) and gained half of it back. Now I'm back on here to take what I gained back off. :laugh:

I'm a 1200 person too and it took some getting used to. I just dropped breakfast. I hate it anyway and it helps to keep cut up fresh carrots, celery, watermelon and green, red, yellow pepers to reach for. Bananas really fill me up and almonds supress my hunger too.

For my exercise level, it's what I need to do and I was really eating way too much. So stick with it for two weeks and green tea and water have helped, but I only drink about 4 glasses a day. Any more makes me ill.

calculate your RMR (take weight you are at and multiply by 12) then take that number and subtract by 500 and (as long as you are counting calories correctly) you should lose one lbs a week... mfp set mine for 1200 as well but after i did this i set it to 1400 and i feel much better and am loosing weight at a nice slow pace ;-)

PS after you have lost about 5 or so pounds i would recalculate it until you are at goal...