A breif explanation of how mfp is setup and how it all works

I agree. The original poster was just explaining how mfp works. He wasn't saying that is the only way to lose weight. There are a lot of people who tweak their goals to fit in with the way they want to do things. Some of it is still healthy, some isn't. The calories mfp recommends can be accurate, but they can be off too. It is best to tweak it if it isn't working. Sometimes people have a faster, or slower metabolism than the average person. They will need to make adjustments to their goals accordingly.

Most of us are not experts. We only know what has worked for us, or what others have said work for them.

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I have to agree with both the original poster and jasonweinberg
its great to have someone explain how the site works IF there are people who are interested in following step by step...BUT I do think that many many people lose weight on here just as "healthy" doing it their own way and how they choose. Just because their way isnt your way or the sites way doesnt deem it "unhealthy"...MFP is just a guide its not the cure-all for everyones obesity issues some of us have to alter and fix things to better suit our lifestyles and needs and come out just as successful as those who maybe follow step by step Im sure....

I increased MFP recommendation to eat only 1200 calories up to 1360. 1200 wasn't working for me, so in that respect I can understand what you're saying. I do agree with the OP because [for me] in the past I have taken the pills my doctor put me on and lost 40+ pounds. The pills zapped out my appetite completely and I couldn't eat if I tried. I worked out HARD everyday and when I did eat it was small portions....then he would take me off the pills and I would stop losing even though I was working out. I also never ate back exercise calories ( too afraid ). I gained every pound back both times. I can't afford nutritionalist and personal trainers....but I have spoken to two. Both have said to replenish your body after you workout and you need the extra calories. Even people in the "expert" world disagree but I think it would be safe to say that our bodies need proper nutrients w/o getting all technical

but that is my whole point: you are not "starving yourself". that is exactly what drives me nuts. this whole idea that if you burn 750 calories via exercise and it brings you blow a net calories of 1200 you "are starving yourself" is patently absurd, yet people toss it around here as if it is fact.

Thanks, there must be some truth to this eating back exercise calories thing,

I'm having a hard time eating as much food as this site suggest I eat. I do know that I have lost a considerable amount of muscle with the hope that I would be losing fat...unfortunately the muscle left and the fat stayed. I was still losing weight, but not the weight I wanted to lose. I exercise A LOT, and I don't understand the problem...maybe I am not eating enough food.

I'm pretty sure uses stored fat AKA stored energy reserves when your body goes into "starvation mode".

If you have plenty of fat, I'm sure it's not going to hurt anything.

I agree with that.

This was wonderfull information. I recently was hit by a car when riding my bike..I was told no exercise for 3 weeks due to a concussion. So i went into the profiles and changed my exercise to sedentary. That allows me 1300 daily. Did i do the right thing? I also refused to eat any starchy foods in that period of no exercise.
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