today at the doctor

hwilliams519
hwilliams519 Posts: 428 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
So I just got health insurance for the first time in a little over 2 years. Yay! Had my first doctor's appointment today. I was able to talk to the doctor about my health concerns, and he seemed really nice. I had a short amount of time, and a list of all the things I wanted to discuss. Diet and exercise was at the end of my list. I almost forgot to even talk to him about it. So I caught him on my way out, to ask him what his recommendations would be, as far as how many calories I should be eating if I'm trying to lose weight. He said 1800 calories with exercise. This surprised me.

I am 5'4" and age 27. According to MFP, I need to eat 1800 calories to maintain my weight and a net of 1300 to lose 1lb/week. My first place for health class recommends 1500-1600 calories if I am not exercising, and 1700-1800 calories if I am exercising. I personally feel this is too many calories. I always have a hard time staying on track with the 1300 net, although I have been extra determined and doing better the past few days. What I decided a few days ago, was that I would try to eat around 1500 calories, and the burn 200 calories each day to get my net of 1300. I personally think this is a good plan and something I should be able to do. (Although it would be easier to eat 1800 calories a day.)

Are there any professionals out there, or people me age and size, that can help me with this? I am so confused on what I need to do, when I just thought I had it figured out.

Replies

  • gameovergt
    gameovergt Posts: 502 Member
    1800 sounds a little high. What type of exercising are you doing? Goals for your weight etc?
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,297 Member
    So I just got health insurance for the first time in a little over 2 years. Yay! Had my first doctor's appointment today. I was able to talk to the doctor about my health concerns, and he seemed really nice. I had a short amount of time, and a list of all the things I wanted to discuss. Diet and exercise was at the end of my list. I almost forgot to even talk to him about it. So I caught him on my way out, to ask him what his recommendations would be, as far as how many calories I should be eating if I'm trying to lose weight. He said 1800 calories with exercise. This surprised me.

    I am 5'4" and age 27. According to MFP, I need to eat 1800 calories to maintain my weight and a net of 1300 to lose 1lb/week. My first place for health class recommends 1500-1600 calories if I am not exercising, and 1700-1800 calories if I am exercising. I personally feel this is too many calories. I always have a hard time staying on track with the 1300 net, although I have been extra determined and doing better the past few days. What I decided a few days ago, was that I would try to eat around 1500 calories, and the burn 200 calories each day to get my net of 1300. I personally think this is a good plan and something I should be able to do. (Although it would be easier to eat 1800 calories a day.)

    Are there any professionals out there, or people me age and size, that can help me with this? I am so confused on what I need to do, when I just thought I had it figured out.

    You may want to burn more than 200 each workout, that way you will be able to eat closer to the 1800. maybe aim for 300-350 calories burned per workout. This would give you 1600-1650 (1300+300 or 350)
  • DKBelle
    DKBelle Posts: 585 Member
    http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

    Check this out. I am doing zig=zag , and it is not too much if you workout like your doctor said, because you have to eat back your calories as well after you finish your workout.
  • MyNameIsNotBob
    MyNameIsNotBob Posts: 565 Member
    Eating 1800 and having a decent workout (3-400 calories) will get you a net of 14-1500, which sounds right to me. I net around 15-1600 and I'm 5'3". I personally think the 1200 calorie net is more for really obese people... I try to eat between my BMR (1500) and maintenance (2100). YMMV.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Eating 1800 and having a decent workout (3-400 calories) will get you a net of 14-1500, which sounds right to me. I net around 15-1600 and I'm 5'3". I personally think the 1200 calorie net is more for really obese people... I try to eat between my BMR (1500) and maintenance (2100). YMMV.

    Agree - sounds more like he means 1800 including exercise calories. Any chance your doc might be available by phone? I know with my doc, she might not call me herself but if I leave a message, her assistant will call back with an answer or they'll mail me info.
  • hwilliams519
    hwilliams519 Posts: 428 Member
    Thanks for your input. After doing a little searching, here's what I came up with:

    On MFP I have my goals set to sedentary/inactive, because when I started on here I was not exercising and I have a desk job (so I sit a lot throughout the day). To maintain my weight with this lifestyle, I need to consume 1800 calories a day. But to lose 1lb/week, I need to have a daily net of 1300 calories (so I need a deficit of 500 calores a day to equal 3,500 calories -or 1lb- per week).

    But sometimes your activity level changes...

    For a somewhat active lifestyle, you have light or moderate activity at least 2-3 times per week. These days I am trying to do something active everyday, or at least most days. This may be by taking a 15-20 walk at lunch, cleaning the office, playing with my niece and nephew, throwing frisbee or football with my husband, taking dance lessons, going to the gym. So to maintain my weight with this lifestyle, I need to consume 2000 calories. So to lose 1lb/week (3500 cal), I need a net of 1500 calories.

    And really we are only talking about 200 calories difference, which isn't huge. So as long as I keep my net calories between 1300-1500 I am good to go. Thanks for listening..(well reading)!!!
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