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So... I'm confused?

KingxRaheem
KingxRaheem Posts: 5 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay, my current goal is to lose 2 pounds a week. A bit excessive I know, but I know I can do it. However, my main concern is knowing if I'll be doing it right?

According to MFP, my calorie limit to lose 2 pounds a week is 1,200 calories a day as a sedentary kind of person. I plan on working out 5 times a week.

On average, how many calories do I have to burn with exercise on my workout days if I'm limiting my eating to 1,200 calories a day for the whole week?
I heard anywhere from around 500 to 700 calories burned during exercise is okay. Is that correct?

What sort of exercises will allow you to lose that amount of calories if you're on a time constraint, I have only an hour to an hour and a half in my schedule available.

Also, I have another question.
If I hit the 1,200 calorie limit and burned the extra 500-700 calories, does that mean that I am able to eat after since I burned 500-700. Obviously I'm not talking about eating a whole meal but just something light 200-300 calorie meal to give my body a bit of energy.

Any help response will be great. Thanks.

Replies

  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    edited June 2015
    The minimum RDA calories for a male is 1500. Do not eat at 1200.

    Doesn't matter how many calories you burn during exercise. Because exercise is for physical fitness, a caloric deficit is for weight loss.

    Do what ever exercise you want. Doesn't matter.

    You eat back your exercise calories, but again, I highly advise you do not eat at 1200 calories.

  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    IsaackGMOON wrote: »
    The minimum RDA calories for a male is 1500. Do not eat at 1200.

    Doesn't matter how many calories you burn during exercise. Because exercise is for physical fitness, a caloric deficit is for weight loss.

    Do what ever exercise you want. Doesn't matter.

    You eat back your exercise calories, but again, I highly advise you do not eat at 1200 calories.

    This.

    OP, what are your current height/weight/age?
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    You're a male, 1200 is too little and you're doing it wrong!
  • KingxRaheem
    KingxRaheem Posts: 5 Member
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

    This.

    OP, what are your current height/weight/age?

    H: 5'6"
    W: 160
    A: 22 yrs
  • atypicalsmith
    atypicalsmith Posts: 2,742 Member
    I absolutely agree; 1200 is way too low. Especially if you are exercising. You want to burn 500-700 calories in an hour? My best guess is the elliptical or a treadmill set on a high incline or running up and down a couple of flights of stairs. Anything that burns over 500 calories an hour would be tough to do for an entire hour, though.
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    edited June 2015
    KingxRaheem wrote: »
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

    This.

    OP, what are your current height/weight/age?

    H: 5'6"
    W: 160
    A: 22 yrs

    phdn7apmxxic.png

    You should be eating a lot more than 1200 calories. Also, 2 lbs a week is too aggressive for you.

    *ETA I just chose 4 times/week per exercise randomly since you said you'd be exercising.
  • Katla49
    Katla49 Posts: 10,385 Member
    KingxRaheem: The goal is to net 1200 calories per day at a minimum for women. I suspect the male goal is higher, but I don't know the correct number. If you exercise, you earn more calories. The calculator here will add calories from food, and subtract calories from exercise.
  • KingxRaheem
    KingxRaheem Posts: 5 Member
    Sheesh, that's a surprise. Thanks guys. I will definitely reconsider changing up my diet and eating a bit more.
  • Merkavar
    Merkavar Posts: 3,082 Member
    Yeah if 1200 is what you need to lose 2 pound I suggest adjusting you goal and aiming to lose 1 pound.

    For your health and sanity.
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    KingxRaheem wrote: »
    Sheesh, that's a surprise. Thanks guys. I will definitely reconsider changing up my diet and eating a bit more.

    Be sure that you are logging as accurately as possible. How much weight are you trying to lose?
  • joemasserini
    joemasserini Posts: 24 Member
    How many calories you burn exercising DOES matter if you've chosen exercise as a tool to enable weight loss, but the point is that your consumed calories must be below your net burned calories (the calories you burn just by being alive plus calories burned while exercising ). That deficit will determine how much weight you lose. Someone already worked out what your approximate caloric intake should probably be and I'm no expert on the lower limit of daily calories, but I agree with all the above folks who said 1200 is too low. Especially if you planned on exercising at a ~600 calories/hour pace without eating those calories back. That's beyond risky and just plain dangerous.
  • KingxRaheem
    KingxRaheem Posts: 5 Member
    edited June 2015
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

    Be sure that you are logging as accurately as possible. How much weight are you trying to lose?

    I always try to do that. Since I'm traveling to LA in like 7 weeks, I'm trying to figure out what would be the healthiest weight to lose by that time. I was thinking anywhere from 5-10 pounds by then (I don't know if that is safe), though my ideal weight would be around 145 before the year ends.
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    KingxRaheem wrote: »
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

    Be sure that you are logging as accurately as possible. How much weight are you trying to lose?

    I always try to do that. Since I'm traveling to LA in like 7 weeks, I'm trying to figure out what would be the healthiest weight to lose by that time. I was thinking anywhere from 5-10 pounds by then, though my ideal weight would be around 145 before the year ends.

    Losing 15 lbs by the end of the year is definitely achievable. Sadly, with a small amount to lose, the weight tends to come off more slowly. I'd suggest trying to stay within 250-500 calories under TDEE (closer to 250 once you are near your goal). Weigh everything you eat, if possible, eat adequate protein to retain muscle mass, and lift heavy weights.
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    I'd lay my next paycheck on the line betting you can't keep up an honest, for reals 1200 for even a single week, Bro.

    Any takers?


    HINT: It's a bad idea. Not even worth trying, right ?
  • KingxRaheem
    KingxRaheem Posts: 5 Member
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »
    KingxRaheem wrote: »
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

    Be sure that you are logging as accurately as possible. How much weight are you trying to lose?

    I always try to do that. Since I'm traveling to LA in like 7 weeks, I'm trying to figure out what would be the healthiest weight to lose by that time. I was thinking anywhere from 5-10 pounds by then, though my ideal weight would be around 145 before the year ends.

    Losing 15 lbs by the end of the year is definitely achievable. Sadly, with a small amount to lose, the weight tends to come off more slowly. I'd suggest trying to stay within 250-500 calories under TDEE (closer to 250 once you are near your goal). Weigh everything you eat, if possible, eat adequate protein to retain muscle mass, and lift heavy weights.

    That is true, it's definitely been a burden trying to lose even 5 pounds. Probably because my diet was so messed up. Thanks for the advice!
    SergeantSausage wrote: »
    I'd lay my next paycheck on the line betting you can't keep up an honest, for reals 1200 for even a single week, Bro.

    Any takers?


    HINT: It's a bad idea. Not even worth trying, right ?

    I'll take the bet one last week, plus I need money for LA! Haha, I'm joking!
This discussion has been closed.

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