calorie goals set by myfitnesspal.com

If you think that's low, you should see all the people who eat 1200.

Age, height, weight, activity level, and rate of loss are all the factors. When I started, I was set to 1900+ to lose 1.5 pounds a week. Now I'm at 1720 for a pound a week. But I also have an active job and a Fitbit, so today I'll probably be eating over 2000 calories due to how much movement I did at work.

I've never trusted their calculations. If I did, trust me, I wouldn't lose weight. I've been eating at 1600 for a while now and never hungry.

Mine was set to 1200 calories based on MFP's calculators and my goal to lose 2 pounds a week. It was a struggle to get enough to eat and frankly I wasn't actually losing any weight. Got advice from a professional and it's now set to 1800 based on my weight and activity level. Once I started doing that, I've actually started to lose weight - hooray! I actually rarely make it to 1800 - probably average 1600-1700. I'm also eating 50% carbs, 20% protein, 30% fats (with limits of 45g sugar and 20g saturated fat). I've added back in whole grains (like wheat bagels, brown rice, barley, etc.). So... I'm eating more, have added (some) carbs back in whereas before it was mostly protein, veggies and fats. AND, I've lost 10 pounds in about 5 weeks. Go figure. And finally it doesn't feel like a "diet" and just a decent way of eating that I can manage forever.

LisaRoloff wrote: »

I am seriously amazed at the variety of and difference in calorie goals listed for the people that have their food diaries available to share. I know it's likely to do with all sorts of variables such as age, height, how much you want to lose and how fast, but just WOW. Mine is over 2,200 cause I am looking at 200lbs about 1 - 2 lbs a week (I have been told previously that is reasonable). One of my friends is only 1,600. All I can think of is "OMG you poor thing, you must be absolutely starving."

Maintenance for me, without exercise, would be about 2300. For me to lose 2lbs a week on 2200 calories, I would have to burn an additional 900 calories.

i'm really frustrated at my bmr (1247) and tdee (1554), so with a 15% calorie reduction i get a measly 1303. im 161.5 cm and currently at 56.3 kgs. yeah, cardio helps and i can't wait 'till i start to lift heavy as soon as i move to the BFs and get my hands on some heavy weights. life is just too busy at the moment to fit weights into the regiment #excuses

I get 1400 with a .5 lb goal using MFP method and lightly active; 1220 if I use sedentary. Obviously trying to lose 1 lb/week would get me 1200 either way and I still wouldn't really be losing that much.

Using my own calculations and the TDEE calculators, my maintenance without exercise is about 1550, and when I'm as active as I aspire to be it's maybe 2200. (I don't use MFP method, though, but TDEE method.)

So the idea of losing 1-2 lb/week at 2200 is pretty dream-like. (I've been maintaining around that level or a bit less, but want to get back to losing.)

I'm on the shorter side, though: 5'3 and 125.

MFP gave me 1220 to lose 2lbs a week; I'm 5'9'' so it's not like I'm tiny. I lost 40lbs and felt fine. If I felt hungry I exercised and was able to eat more. It's not as outrageous as people make it out to be. If you want to use MFP's calculations but don't feel you're eating enough, either move more or lose weight at a slower pace, both will give you more calories.

I'm at 1200. Started less than a week ago, trying to lose a pound a week. Sedentary, 5-5 (used to be 5-7.5. Getting old can be a b!tch).

Some days are easier than others. Sunday was difficult. I went over on everything but fat. Today, wound up with enough extra calories for a bag of popcorn, thanks partly to walking more'n a mile from and then back to the car repair shop (if anyone wants a recommendation for a good, honest mechanic on New Orleans' west bank, lemme know) and partly to missing breakfast.

I'm worried it's gonna be harder over the long haul.