Calorie Goal Help

TLCEsq
TLCEsq Posts: 413 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm not new to MFP but I am now trying to lose baby weight. I had two kids in just under 15 months and I'm 5 months postpartum with my daughter. I'm six feet tall and need to lose about 80 pounds (eek) to get to around 180. I've lost a little recently but my doctor thinks I shouldn't go under 1800 calories. My TDEE is around 2600 and MFP says to lose 2 lbs a week I should eat 1520. I'm aware of the starvation mode myth but I also know that people who weigh more can get away with eating less for a little while. However I don't want to stall my weight loss by eating too little either. Should I just experiment to find the "sweet spot"? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Replies

  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    Wow, I'm actually proud of your doctor :) what you want is an amount that'll have you losing at a nice steady pace, but is also sustainable for you. Personally I'll always prefer more food to less, as it gives you more options of items to fit in your day. Have you started eating at either amount? How do you feel? Please note that MFP's recommendation is "net" calories, Meaning when you exercise and log it, you'll get credit for a few more calories you can eat. MFP does tend to be a bit generous with those cals so a lot of people don't eat 100% of them, more like 50-75 or so

    Regardless of how great of starting number you're using, YES, you'll need to try it for a while say about a month and see how you feel

    This used to be a sticky in the getting started forum but I'm not sure it's back yet. Read it if you haven't already, please:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
  • TLCEsq
    TLCEsq Posts: 413 Member
    Thanks so much for your opinion!
  • covens04
    covens04 Posts: 76 Member
    What are you planning to do for your workouts?

    I would probably start around 1600 and see how you feel for 1-2 weeks. I would also try to maintain macronutrients (prot, carbs, fat) at a 40/40/20 ratio. If you feel to sluggish during the day, then you can increase by 100-200 cals and try that out. Also, make sure to not just follow the scale. Take measurements, pictures, etc. Hope this helps! Keep us updated.
  • TLCEsq
    TLCEsq Posts: 413 Member
    I am going to aim between 16-1800. I have a Bowflex Treadclimber that I break a sweat on every day. I am waiting for medical clearance to lift weights again because I have a disc issue in my lower back.

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