I don't understand calorie counting

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Replies

  • Unknown
    edited May 2015
    This content has been removed.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    That's what I didn't understand here. The program said eat 1700 for 1 lb a week weight loss but she's asking how much to eat for a 1 lb a week weight loss. Did the OP just type out the wrong question?

    She asked how many she needed to burn per day if eating 1700.

    Please go re-read the OP and you will see that she said exactly what I typed out she said, so there really was no reason for you to quote me and type out a number she never typed herself.

    I started using MFP app on Monday 5/11/15. After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week! But I'm totally confused! How many calories a day do I need to burn in order to lose 1 lb a week if my daily intake is 1770 calories. I tried researching EVERYWHERE and haven't came upon any helpful sources. Please give me a definite number of calories I should be burning a day & how you got that number. Thanks

    She was given the answer to the question in her own question. She clearly stated to program told her to eat 1770 to burn 1 pun per week. It told her what to eat in order to burn 1 lb per week. Not sure how that isn't clear there.

    She didn't answer her own question within her own question. Her question stated that she has to eat 1770 calories to lose one pound per week. It asked how many calories she needed to burn. That number is 2270 (1770 calories eaten + 500 more to achieve the appropriate deficit.) Nowhere in her question does the number 2270 appear.

    So let me ask a different way.

    She input her numbers into MFP, she selected the option of 1 lb per week weight loss and the program set her up with a daily intake of 1770.

    "After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week!"......okay so am I reading this wrong? The program told her to eat that number right there and she will lose 1 lb per week. No? The program already told her how many calories to eat a day in order to lose weight so why would she need to worry about how many calories she is burning?

    I don't know that she needs to worry about it. Perhaps she has some type of calories burned tracking device she wants to monitor. Perhaps she is confused as to what activity level is right for her. Whatever the reason, clearly she wants to know so she asked. That's pretty much what the forums are for, right?

    If you are going to move your goal post and just nit pick because you think I might be questioning for her for no reason just save your time. I asked a question. Obviously you just realized that she did actually answer he own question and now your trying to come up with theories to what she "could" have meant.

    I don't know what you mean by "move my goal post". I didn't even know I had a goal post. Are we playing some sort of sport?? And yes, obviously I was guessing, which is why I used the word "perhaps".

    My point was, she had a question and she asked that question in the forum. Many people understood it.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    That's what I didn't understand here. The program said eat 1700 for 1 lb a week weight loss but she's asking how much to eat for a 1 lb a week weight loss. Did the OP just type out the wrong question?

    She asked how many she needed to burn per day if eating 1700.

    Please go re-read the OP and you will see that she said exactly what I typed out she said, so there really was no reason for you to quote me and type out a number she never typed herself.

    I started using MFP app on Monday 5/11/15. After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week! But I'm totally confused! How many calories a day do I need to burn in order to lose 1 lb a week if my daily intake is 1770 calories. I tried researching EVERYWHERE and haven't came upon any helpful sources. Please give me a definite number of calories I should be burning a day & how you got that number. Thanks

    She was given the answer to the question in her own question. She clearly stated to program told her to eat 1770 to burn 1 pun per week. It told her what to eat in order to burn 1 lb per week. Not sure how that isn't clear there.

    She didn't answer her own question within her own question. Her question stated that she has to eat 1770 calories to lose one pound per week. It asked how many calories she needed to burn. That number is 2270 (1770 calories eaten + 500 more to achieve the appropriate deficit.) Nowhere in her question does the number 2270 appear.

    So let me ask a different way.

    She input her numbers into MFP, she selected the option of 1 lb per week weight loss and the program set her up with a daily intake of 1770.

    "After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week!"......okay so am I reading this wrong? The program told her to eat that number right there and she will lose 1 lb per week. No? The program already told her how many calories to eat a day in order to lose weight so why would she need to worry about how many calories she is burning?

    Maybe she's interested in how weight loss works. Maybe she's more interested in the CO side of the equation than the CI side. I don't know and I really don't care. She asked a question and I answered it. If you want to ask how many calories you need to eat to lose weight start your own thread about it.
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  • jaga13
    jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
    I don't think OP even came back to read the responses....
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    That's what I didn't understand here. The program said eat 1700 for 1 lb a week weight loss but she's asking how much to eat for a 1 lb a week weight loss. Did the OP just type out the wrong question?

    She asked how many she needed to burn per day if eating 1700.

    Please go re-read the OP and you will see that she said exactly what I typed out she said, so there really was no reason for you to quote me and type out a number she never typed herself.

    I started using MFP app on Monday 5/11/15. After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week! But I'm totally confused! How many calories a day do I need to burn in order to lose 1 lb a week if my daily intake is 1770 calories. I tried researching EVERYWHERE and haven't came upon any helpful sources. Please give me a definite number of calories I should be burning a day & how you got that number. Thanks

    She was given the answer to the question in her own question. She clearly stated to program told her to eat 1770 to burn 1 pun per week. It told her what to eat in order to burn 1 lb per week. Not sure how that isn't clear there.

    She didn't answer her own question within her own question. Her question stated that she has to eat 1770 calories to lose one pound per week. It asked how many calories she needed to burn. That number is 2270 (1770 calories eaten + 500 more to achieve the appropriate deficit.) Nowhere in her question does the number 2270 appear.

    So let me ask a different way.

    She input her numbers into MFP, she selected the option of 1 lb per week weight loss and the program set her up with a daily intake of 1770.

    "After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week!"......okay so am I reading this wrong? The program told her to eat that number right there and she will lose 1 lb per week. No? The program already told her how many calories to eat a day in order to lose weight so why would she need to worry about how many calories she is burning?

    Maybe she's interested in how weight loss works. Maybe she's more interested in the CO side of the equation than the CI side. I don't know and I really don't care. She asked a question and I answered it. If you want to ask how many calories you need to eat to lose weight start your own thread about it.

    I don't need to start a thread, I already lost the weight.

    So basically what people are doing is giving her answers on what she might be asking. Got it.

    No. Give her the answer on what she actually asked, not what you wanted her to ask. I'm not sure why it's so hard for you to read the question--How many calories a day do I need to burn in order to lose 1 lb a week if my daily intake is 1770 calories.--and understand that the answer would be 2270, not "eat 1770 calories." It might not answer the question you think she should have asked but it answers the question that she actually did ask.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    My guess is still that she meant how much exercise does she need to do.
  • mgunterrn
    mgunterrn Posts: 2 Member
    Stop arguing! You just ruined this whole post!!!
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  • DirrtyH
    DirrtyH Posts: 664 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    That's what I didn't understand here. The program said eat 1700 for 1 lb a week weight loss but she's asking how much to eat for a 1 lb a week weight loss. Did the OP just type out the wrong question?

    She asked how many she needed to burn per day if eating 1700.

    Please go re-read the OP and you will see that she said exactly what I typed out she said, so there really was no reason for you to quote me and type out a number she never typed herself.

    I started using MFP app on Monday 5/11/15. After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week! But I'm totally confused! How many calories a day do I need to burn in order to lose 1 lb a week if my daily intake is 1770 calories. I tried researching EVERYWHERE and haven't came upon any helpful sources. Please give me a definite number of calories I should be burning a day & how you got that number. Thanks

    She was given the answer to the question in her own question. She clearly stated to program told her to eat 1770 to burn 1 pun per week. It told her what to eat in order to burn 1 lb per week. Not sure how that isn't clear there.

    I thought the same thing but after re-reading realized the question was a little different, so I basically erased my response.
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  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    My guess is still that she meant how much exercise does she need to do.

    Yeah, I wondered about that too. If so, I'll bet she got quite a shock when reading it was 2270. :o
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    I agree with MrM and Stef, I think the OP was worded poorly, and given the title of the post, it leads me to believe that she doesn't understand how the entire MFP tool is supposed to work. I think telling her she needs to burn 2270 will likely confuse her more. I think the simple answer is best.

    OP - If you set up MFP with your current statistics, activity level, and a reasonable weight loss goal, you should just follow the recommendations that MFP provides, in this case, 1770 calories, not including exercise calories. You should consider, if you aren't already, weighing and measuring all of your food using a food scale for the best accuracy, and you should also eat back at least a portion of any exercise you do above and beyond your baseline activity level. Continue to monitor your progress over time and look for ways to make small adjustments to the process.


  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    My guess is still that she meant how much exercise does she need to do.

    Yeah, I wondered about that too. If so, I'll bet she got quite a shock when reading it was 2270. :o

    exactly the point...I read it as that as well based on the title of the thread...confused about calorie counting...most people believe you need to exercise to lose weight...
  • wonko221
    wonko221 Posts: 292 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    The program told her to eat that number right there and she will lose 1 lb per week. No? The program already told her how many calories to eat a day in order to lose weight so why would she need to worry about how many calories she is burning?

    She may be new to the program, and new to the idea of counting calories, and frustrated or confused by a new undertaking. Have some compassion.

    Tanisha719 -

    When you put your information into MFP, it asks about your current weight and activity level. It uses this to estimate the amount of calories you burn every day through your normal activity, with no additional exercise.

    When you tell MFP you want to lose one pound per week, it gives you a number equal to 500 calories fewer than your daily maintenance goal, because 500/day * 7 days/week = 3,500 calories (1 pound)/week.

    The number you received, 1,770 per day, assumes NO extra exercise. If you provided MFP with an accurate body weight and activity level, you should lose approximately one pound per week if you eat at that calorie limit and otherwise do your normal routine.

    Keep in mind, special health issues may affect this. Or your estimate may be off if your reported activity level doesn't give the right maintenance level. Periodically, you will want to re-enter your data, especially as you learn more.

    Calorie management = weight management. Exercise makes your body work better (cardio, mobility, strength, etc.).

  • tanisha719
    tanisha719 Posts: 2 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    That's what I didn't understand here. The program said eat 1700 for 1 lb a week weight loss but she's asking how much to eat for a 1 lb a week weight loss. Did the OP just type out the wrong question?

    She asked how many she needed to burn per day if eating 1700.

    Please go re-read the OP and you will see that she said exactly what I typed out she said, so there really was no reason for you to quote me and type out a number she never typed herself.

    I started using MFP app on Monday 5/11/15. After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week! But I'm totally confused! How many calories a day do I need to burn in order to lose 1 lb a week if my daily intake is 1770 calories. I tried researching EVERYWHERE and haven't came upon any helpful sources. Please give me a definite number of calories I should be burning a day & how you got that number. Thanks

    She was given the answer to the question in her own question. She clearly stated to program told her to eat 1770 to burn 1 pun per week. It told her what to eat in order to burn 1 lb per week. Not sure how that isn't clear there.

    She didn't answer her own question within her own question. Her question stated that she has to eat 1770 calories to lose one pound per week. It asked how many calories she needed to burn. That number is 2270 (1770 calories eaten + 500 more to achieve the appropriate deficit.) Nowhere in her question does the number 2270 appear.

    So let me ask a different way.

    She input her numbers into MFP, she selected the option of 1 lb per week weight loss and the program set her up with a daily intake of 1770.

    "After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week!"......okay so am I reading this wrong? The program told her to eat that number right there and she will lose 1 lb per week. No? The program already told her how many calories to eat a day in order to lose weight so why would she need to worry about how many calories she is burning?

    I clearly said I was confused about the whole counting calories deal.. Some ppl said you have to burn atleast 2270 calories inorder to lose a pound even if I'm consuming 1770 which confused me.. But I get the point now! I can eat 1770 calories & expect to lose a pound a week.
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  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    This is what I said:
    jemhh wrote: »
    2270, on average.

    Your MFP goal is set up by calculating your BMR (basal metabolic rate = how many calories it takes to keep you alive with basic biological functions) plus your NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis = lifestyle activities like washing dishes, walking to the mailbox, etc.) less the caloric deficit required to achieve the weekly weight loss that you indicated. One pound of fat is more or less equal to 3500 calories, or 500 calories per day for a week. So if you told MFP that you want to lose 1 pound per week, the formula would be BMR+NEAT-500.

    As you can see, the MFP goal does not include exercise calories. This means that when you exercise, you are supposed to log it and then eat the calories. Many people feel that MFP (as well as other activity trackers) overestimates calories burned for exercise. My suggestion is to log the exercise and then eat back a standard percentage, such as 50%, of the calories, for 4 weeks. After that, adjust how many exercise calories you eat up or down depending on your rate of loss (or perhaps keep it the same if you are happy with it.)

    The bold translates to:

    1770=BMR+NEAT-500
    2270=BMR+NEAT

    Nowhere in there did I say that she needs to do 2270 calories worth of exercise. I explained how the goal was calculated. Then, I went on to say that if she did exercise, she should log it and eat at least some of it back.

    Regardless, it sounds like the OP is on the right track at this point.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    This is what I said:
    jemhh wrote: »
    2270, on average.

    Your MFP goal is set up by calculating your BMR (basal metabolic rate = how many calories it takes to keep you alive with basic biological functions) plus your NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis = lifestyle activities like washing dishes, walking to the mailbox, etc.) less the caloric deficit required to achieve the weekly weight loss that you indicated. One pound of fat is more or less equal to 3500 calories, or 500 calories per day for a week. So if you told MFP that you want to lose 1 pound per week, the formula would be BMR+NEAT-500.

    As you can see, the MFP goal does not include exercise calories. This means that when you exercise, you are supposed to log it and then eat the calories. Many people feel that MFP (as well as other activity trackers) overestimates calories burned for exercise. My suggestion is to log the exercise and then eat back a standard percentage, such as 50%, of the calories, for 4 weeks. After that, adjust how many exercise calories you eat up or down depending on your rate of loss (or perhaps keep it the same if you are happy with it.)

    The bold translates to:

    1770=BMR+NEAT-500
    2270=BMR+NEAT

    Nowhere in there did I say that she needs to do 2270 calories worth of exercise. I explained how the goal was calculated. Then, I went on to say that if she did exercise, she should log it and eat at least some of it back.

    Regardless, it sounds like the OP is on the right track at this point.

    no offense meant here but let me ask this...do you really think someone who is confused by calorie counting needed all that Extra info in there...

    that could send someone's head spinning...esp if the premise behind MFP confuses them...
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    tanisha719 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    That's what I didn't understand here. The program said eat 1700 for 1 lb a week weight loss but she's asking how much to eat for a 1 lb a week weight loss. Did the OP just type out the wrong question?

    She asked how many she needed to burn per day if eating 1700.

    Please go re-read the OP and you will see that she said exactly what I typed out she said, so there really was no reason for you to quote me and type out a number she never typed herself.

    I started using MFP app on Monday 5/11/15. After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week! But I'm totally confused! How many calories a day do I need to burn in order to lose 1 lb a week if my daily intake is 1770 calories. I tried researching EVERYWHERE and haven't came upon any helpful sources. Please give me a definite number of calories I should be burning a day & how you got that number. Thanks

    She was given the answer to the question in her own question. She clearly stated to program told her to eat 1770 to burn 1 pun per week. It told her what to eat in order to burn 1 lb per week. Not sure how that isn't clear there.

    She didn't answer her own question within her own question. Her question stated that she has to eat 1770 calories to lose one pound per week. It asked how many calories she needed to burn. That number is 2270 (1770 calories eaten + 500 more to achieve the appropriate deficit.) Nowhere in her question does the number 2270 appear.

    So let me ask a different way.

    She input her numbers into MFP, she selected the option of 1 lb per week weight loss and the program set her up with a daily intake of 1770.

    "After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week!"......okay so am I reading this wrong? The program told her to eat that number right there and she will lose 1 lb per week. No? The program already told her how many calories to eat a day in order to lose weight so why would she need to worry about how many calories she is burning?

    I clearly said I was confused about the whole counting calories deal.. Some ppl said you have to burn atleast 2270 calories inorder to lose a pound even if I'm consuming 1770 which confused me.. But I get the point now! I can eat 1770 calories & expect to lose a pound a week.

    Glad to see the confusion in the thread didn't translate over.

    Yes eat 1770 and you can expect that loss...

    If you want to exercise have at...but remember to eat some of those calories back or you will lose faster...and possibly not have energy to exercise more.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    tanisha719 wrote: »
    I clearly said I was confused about the whole counting calories deal.. Some ppl said you have to burn atleast 2270 calories inorder to lose a pound even if I'm consuming 1770 which confused me.. But I get the point now! I can eat 1770 calories & expect to lose a pound a week.

    Glad you got it all figured out, @tanisha719

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  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,330 Member
    tanisha719 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    That's what I didn't understand here. The program said eat 1700 for 1 lb a week weight loss but she's asking how much to eat for a 1 lb a week weight loss. Did the OP just type out the wrong question?

    She asked how many she needed to burn per day if eating 1700.

    Please go re-read the OP and you will see that she said exactly what I typed out she said, so there really was no reason for you to quote me and type out a number she never typed herself.

    I started using MFP app on Monday 5/11/15. After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week! But I'm totally confused! How many calories a day do I need to burn in order to lose 1 lb a week if my daily intake is 1770 calories. I tried researching EVERYWHERE and haven't came upon any helpful sources. Please give me a definite number of calories I should be burning a day & how you got that number. Thanks

    She was given the answer to the question in her own question. She clearly stated to program told her to eat 1770 to burn 1 pun per week. It told her what to eat in order to burn 1 lb per week. Not sure how that isn't clear there.

    She didn't answer her own question within her own question. Her question stated that she has to eat 1770 calories to lose one pound per week. It asked how many calories she needed to burn. That number is 2270 (1770 calories eaten + 500 more to achieve the appropriate deficit.) Nowhere in her question does the number 2270 appear.

    So let me ask a different way.

    She input her numbers into MFP, she selected the option of 1 lb per week weight loss and the program set her up with a daily intake of 1770.

    "After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week!"......okay so am I reading this wrong? The program told her to eat that number right there and she will lose 1 lb per week. No? The program already told her how many calories to eat a day in order to lose weight so why would she need to worry about how many calories she is burning?

    I clearly said I was confused about the whole counting calories deal.. Some ppl said you have to burn atleast 2270 calories inorder to lose a pound even if I'm consuming 1770 which confused me.. But I get the point now! I can eat 1770 calories & expect to lose a pound a week.

    Eat the 1770 and you will lose one pound per week on average, no extra exercise is needed,
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    My guess is still that she meant how much exercise does she need to do.

    Yeah, I wondered about that too. If so, I'll bet she got quite a shock when reading it was 2270. :o

    exactly the point...I read it as that as well based on the title of the thread...confused about calorie counting...most people believe you need to exercise to lose weight...

    Agreed. That is why I clarified in my response on page 1 that she didn't need 2270 in exercise calories.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    tanisha719 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    That's what I didn't understand here. The program said eat 1700 for 1 lb a week weight loss but she's asking how much to eat for a 1 lb a week weight loss. Did the OP just type out the wrong question?

    She asked how many she needed to burn per day if eating 1700.

    Please go re-read the OP and you will see that she said exactly what I typed out she said, so there really was no reason for you to quote me and type out a number she never typed herself.

    I started using MFP app on Monday 5/11/15. After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week! But I'm totally confused! How many calories a day do I need to burn in order to lose 1 lb a week if my daily intake is 1770 calories. I tried researching EVERYWHERE and haven't came upon any helpful sources. Please give me a definite number of calories I should be burning a day & how you got that number. Thanks

    She was given the answer to the question in her own question. She clearly stated to program told her to eat 1770 to burn 1 pun per week. It told her what to eat in order to burn 1 lb per week. Not sure how that isn't clear there.

    She didn't answer her own question within her own question. Her question stated that she has to eat 1770 calories to lose one pound per week. It asked how many calories she needed to burn. That number is 2270 (1770 calories eaten + 500 more to achieve the appropriate deficit.) Nowhere in her question does the number 2270 appear.

    So let me ask a different way.

    She input her numbers into MFP, she selected the option of 1 lb per week weight loss and the program set her up with a daily intake of 1770.

    "After putting in my information, I have to consumer 1770 calories a day in order to lose 1 lb a week!"......okay so am I reading this wrong? The program told her to eat that number right there and she will lose 1 lb per week. No? The program already told her how many calories to eat a day in order to lose weight so why would she need to worry about how many calories she is burning?

    I clearly said I was confused about the whole counting calories deal.. Some ppl said you have to burn atleast 2270 calories inorder to lose a pound even if I'm consuming 1770 which confused me.. But I get the point now! I can eat 1770 calories & expect to lose a pound a week.

    Eat the 1770 and you will lose one pound per week on average, no extra exercise is needed,

    Also keep in mind that all this is based on averages and the assumption that you entered your activity level correctly. You might need to tweak the plan a bit as calories needed varies a bit from person to person. Don't get discouraged if you don't lose exactly 1 lb per week. Just stick with it for a few weeks, then adjust if needed.
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