Do you really want to lose fat? Then EAT SOMETHING!!!

I agree I have seen such a different, the more I eat and work out the more I lose

Thank you for the info, I agree with your general points, however, this is not something that can be overgeneralized into a number. My MAINTENANCE calories aren't even at 2000 because I'm only 5'3" and under 140lbs.

Starvation mode is real, but it doesn't happen at the same level for everyone and everyone's caloric needs can vary wildly.

Need proof???? Look at MY picture. lol

Totally agree but the calories are not the same for everyone. I am only 5.4 feet so eating 2000 would only help me maintain my weight

Bump

Good Morning. One of the main questions I often get is "how many calories should I consume in a day"? Well, a number of people on this site continue to aim for the 1300-1500 or less range even after I have told them that consuming that few calories is basically starvation and NOT healthy let alone effective. So, since the personal advice of a ripped 49 year old apparently doesn't carry much weight, please please go to this web site ( http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-many-calories-should-i-eat-a-day.html ) and read about the calorie intake necessary just to be HEALTHY. Maybe you will believe them. It may not seem logical but you actually NEED a certain about of calories before the body will remove it's fat stores. You see, the body is very efficient and in the event that calories are available regularly (and not in excess) then the body doesn't want to carry around extra weight in the form of fat. However, if your caloric intake is too low (under 1500) then the body will sense starvation and horde as much fat as it can. Plus, when you're in the "Starvation" mode, the body cannot repair tissue such as muscle, hair and skin as effectively. So the end result is a gaunt look and muscle loss which, is pretty much opposite of the result we are actually seeking. So, Gals try to eat around 2000 calories per day and guys shoot for 2500. Eat every 2-3 hours and your body will respond in ways you won't believe. Need proof??? Look at my picture. In Health, Rick

ummm ok you may be a ripped 49 you old male but I am a woman.So no what you said carries no weight with me.I gained weight at 2000 calories.Especially since you just generlize.So a 4'11 woman should eat 2000 calories a day?! You may have figured out what works for you,and you look great but that does not make you an expert.Anyways Ive done pretty well doing things the way I do them so thanks but no thanks

Bump

:: thumbs up ::

You shouldn`t have thrown those 2000 and 2500 numbers out there, even the article clearly states that it depends on the person.

1500 calories a day is not under eating for a woman

That is to general a statement. For some woment it would be undereating, for some it would overeating, for some it would be perfect. It depends on weight, age, physical activity, metabolic type etc.

It depends.

That article doesn't really demonstrate your point.

It lists 2500/2000 daily calories for men/women in one place, and 2000/1500 in another place - regardless, they are listed as MAINTENANCE calories, not weight loss calories. The article discusses how one must create a deficit, just as this site does.

And here is a direct quote from that article: "We require a minimum intake of 1200 calories everyday and one must not reduce the intake of calories to less than that without consulting the doctor."

It truly depends on the person, as has been stated before. My daily calories on here is set at 1200 before exercise. That gives me a projected weight loss of only 0.7 lbs per week. At that level, I am both gaining muscle and losing fat, and having very good results overall.

According to this website my BMR + TDEE is 1285. Now....that sounds about right. So I have to eat at least 1285. Good thing I do. Also, it says to lose 1 lb a week you must eat 500 cals less a day OR burn 500 cal a day. I don't see how this is any different than what I'm already doing. I'm eating 1200 a day and burning an additional 200-500 a day. If I ate 2000 calories a day or even if I ate 1700 a day I would gain weight. I know because thats how I gained weight to begin with.

So far I've lost almost 40 lbs by doing it this way, I've decreased my body fat percentage significantly and built quite a bit of muscle.

I don't think it was a wise thing to throw out those numbers. A lot of people have worked really hard to get to where they are and you telling them that they've done it wrong the entire time is going to offend some people. Maybe instead of telling people they're wrong, maybe, offer this as another piece of information to help them on their weightloss. I think a different approach would have helped your case significantly.

Just my opinion.

Hey, so do i get this right? I'm only 5.4. I just calculated my TDEE and it's 1471. Minus the 500 decicit that's only 972 calories a day. But i eat m ore and work out so technically my NET calories should be that 972 then? Not 1200 like MFP suggests? I'm confused!

I'm a 5'7" 193 lb. 18 year old, and I stick to the 1200 net calories per day allotted by MFP, and I'm doing great! I feel great, I have energy, and I'm rarely ever hungry. I think as long as we listen to our bodies (when it tells you it's hungry/deprived, NOT when it tells you to eat 5 chocolate chip cookies in one sitting) we'll be fine - after all, who knows more about what we need to survive than the very thing we are trying to make healthy?
Just my take.

I am confused too or I am being completely thick which wouldnt be difficult; but from the calculation my BMR is 1033 and with TDEE I should have 1601 calories minus a 500 deficit. This would be 1101 calories a day; too little. The other day I wore my HRM all day and burned 3000 calories and I spent most of the day sat on the computer.

I think I will carry on as I am

Lots of people here want to see big results quickly too. I think tha tis why they undereat.

People should focus more on being healthy. Lose weight the healthy way, do not lose weight the unhealthy way.

1500 calories a day is not under eating for a woman

I agree with both of you -- I see so many people on here who want to lose 10-50 pounds, want to do it quickly, so they "choose" (via MFP goals) to lose 2 pounds per week, and barely net 1200 calories, which I can't believe is healthy either.

I never net 1200 calories and I eat. The only thing I see for me to net 1200 is for me not to exercise and thats not an option. But in no way am I trying to lose weight fast. I'm realistic. I have a go for my last 39 lbs to be gone by early August but if they aren't its not the end of the world. It took 10 years for me to gain this extra 144 lbs. I'm in no hurry.

The Gentleman is absolutely wrong! You must first consult your Physician on any weight loss endeavor. I am a 49 year old female whom leads a sedentary life style due to another incompetant Doctor and I now have several Physicians trying very hard to help me survive the life threatening illnesses that they saved me from. It just so happens, I am not trying to get ripped or trying to loose weight to impress anyone in particular. I need to loose weight to get healty and that means only consuming 900 to 1000 calories per day. I take seval weight gaining medications that ballooned my weight up to 300 + pounds and with out any drugs or any additional surgeries these wonderful Physicians and some will power a little Hypnosis I've managed to get under 200 pounds. And by the Good Grace of God I pray that I'll loose another 50 pounds and keep it off, so I can see my grand children grow up.
Each individual has a very unique metabolism, and must find what works for them. If you are a chronic dieter, then I urge you to learn to eat healthy avoid overloading on red meats and fats. Go see your Doctor and a nutrionist. Don't wait for a Doctor to fail to diagnois your health problems before its to late. Don't think that nagging head ache is just stress related or you worked out to much when your legs muscles are too sore to move. I used to be a work out freak. Now I'm just gratefull to be alive.
survivorj