calories

Moekup
Moekup Posts: 9 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
How do they figure the amount of calories you are allowed each day? On two other sites I was given over 200 more each day than here? Just curious. My calorie allowance is pretty low.

Replies

  • DemoraFairy
    DemoraFairy Posts: 1,806 Member
    It uses an algorithm to estimate how many calories you burn on an average day, then takes away an amount of calories depending on how fast you said you wanted to lose the weight (0.5lbs/week, 1lb/week or 2lbs/week). Different algorithms give slightly different results, it takes a bit of trial and error before you know how many calories works best for you. Did you give the same rate of loss on the other two websites?
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Other sites often include your exercise calories in your goal. MFP expects you to add them separate and then eat them back. Just a little exercise and you're equal to the other sites.
  • Moekup
    Moekup Posts: 9 Member
    Thanks for the info.
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    Estimates. MFP expects you to log exercise on top of "daily activity". Other websites may be including that exercise in the total.

    Your best bet is to log accurately for a few weeks and then do some simple math for a more accurate estimate (you'll never find the perfect number unless you do the same things with the same intensity every day).
  • AspenDan
    AspenDan Posts: 703 Member
    This is kinda my issue with CICO..no one really knows how many calories they need, and the margin of error can be huge between all the online guestimators...imo, set a calorie goal somewhere in the average, after a couple weeks if you feel decent AND you're losing some weight, you're golden.
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    danieltsmoke wrote: »
    This is kinda my issue with CICO..no one really knows how many calories they need, and the margin of error can be huge between all the online guestimators...imo, set a calorie goal somewhere in the average, after a couple weeks if you feel decent AND you're losing some weight, you're golden.

    Even so, it is more accurate than "only eat x,y,z and don't eat a,b,c", or "drink our shake and magically lose weight".
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Go to settings.
    Then go to Update Your Diet Profile.
    Change your goal to Lose One pound a week.
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