How many calories to eat to lose?

ac2662
ac2662 Posts: 47 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Just out of curiosity do you all use the calorie recommendations set by MFP or do you set your own calorie goals? If you do set your own calorie goals, how do you determine the amount of calories to eat and still lose? I caluclated my BMR at 1493 and have been eating 1400 calories for about a week now, with no results really. Just wondering if i need more time or if I should go with the MFP recommendation of 1270. TIA

Replies

  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    I don't use MFP to calculate my calorie goals because you have to manually enter your exercise calories and fiddle around with working out how much of those you have to eat. It works for a lot of people but for me, it just doesn't. Mfp has recommended 1270 assuming you will be adding your exercise calories on top of that number.

    I use the TDEE method. Enter your details here: https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/bwp/ it'll give you your calorie allowance per day. This figure will include your exercise calories so you won't be eating those on top of the number given. This has worked so much better for me :)

    Again, it's personal preference.
  • ac2662
    ac2662 Posts: 47 Member
    PinkPixiexox wrote: »
    I don't use MFP to calculate my calorie goals because you have to manually enter your exercise calories and fiddle around with working out how much of those you have to eat. It works for a lot of people but for me, it just doesn't. Mfp has recommended 1270 assuming you will be adding your exercise calories on top of that number.

    I use the TDEE method. Enter your details here: https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/bwp/ it'll give you your calorie allowance per day. This figure will include your exercise calories so you won't be eating those on top of the number given. This has worked so much better for me :)

    Again, it's personal preference.

    Thank you so much for the suggestion. Im going to check it out. I just want to get it right, although I know I'll have to figure it out through trial and error. I think that's going to be the most frustrating part. =/
  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    ac2662 wrote: »
    PinkPixiexox wrote: »
    I don't use MFP to calculate my calorie goals because you have to manually enter your exercise calories and fiddle around with working out how much of those you have to eat. It works for a lot of people but for me, it just doesn't. Mfp has recommended 1270 assuming you will be adding your exercise calories on top of that number.

    I use the TDEE method. Enter your details here: https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/bwp/ it'll give you your calorie allowance per day. This figure will include your exercise calories so you won't be eating those on top of the number given. This has worked so much better for me :)

    Again, it's personal preference.

    Thank you so much for the suggestion. Im going to check it out. I just want to get it right, although I know I'll have to figure it out through trial and error. I think that's going to be the most frustrating part. =/

    Trial and error really is the best way - and yes, its definitely frustrating but you'll get there! :)
    I started off eating 1200 because I assumed it was the right way to go. Since 1200 is the lowest amount, I instantly thought "GREAT! If I eat that amount I'll lose LOADS of weight!". It took me a while to realise that I was eating a totally unsuitable amount. I DID lose weight but I was absolutely utterly miserable and very, very hungry! I used that calculator above and worked out that 1500 is a more realistic number - I feel full and I'm still losing weight, so it's correct!
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    I used MFP to calculate my calorie goal. I didn't fiddle around with exercise calories.
  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    I used MFP to calculate my calorie goal. I didn't fiddle around with exercise calories.

    I say 'fiddle around with exercise' calories because for me, that's how I felt with it. In my personal opinion, it was easier for me to use the TDEE method as the whole exercise aspect confused me. If you can do it the MFP way and calculate your calories accurately then kudos to you! I'm not that smart ;)
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    I use TDEE now. When I was using the MFP/NEAT method, I ignored exercise calories, so it was pretty uncomplicated. MFP said my goal is X calories, so I ate X calories.
  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    I use TDEE now. When I was using the MFP/NEAT method, I ignored exercise calories, so it was pretty uncomplicated. MFP said my goal is X calories, so I ate X calories.

    MFP says I should be eating 1360 to lose 0.5 lbs per week. Based on the TDEE method, I should be eating around 1500 to lose 0.5 (exercise included). I've been eating at 1500 and losing consistently so I guess both ways have their benefits!
  • ac2662
    ac2662 Posts: 47 Member
    PinkPixiexox wrote: »
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    I use TDEE now. When I was using the MFP/NEAT method, I ignored exercise calories, so it was pretty uncomplicated. MFP said my goal is X calories, so I ate X calories.

    MFP says I should be eating 1360 to lose 0.5 lbs per week. Based on the TDEE method, I should be eating around 1500 to lose 0.5 (exercise included). I've been eating at 1500 and losing consistently so I guess both ways have their benefits!
    I think I'd prefer more food and less feeling hungry, especially since both seem to get the same approximate weight loss :smile:
  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    ac2662 wrote: »
    PinkPixiexox wrote: »
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    I use TDEE now. When I was using the MFP/NEAT method, I ignored exercise calories, so it was pretty uncomplicated. MFP said my goal is X calories, so I ate X calories.

    MFP says I should be eating 1360 to lose 0.5 lbs per week. Based on the TDEE method, I should be eating around 1500 to lose 0.5 (exercise included). I've been eating at 1500 and losing consistently so I guess both ways have their benefits!
    I think I'd prefer more food and less feeling hungry, especially since both seem to get the same approximate weight loss :smile:

    Exactly! Like I said - for me, it was a lot more straightforward. Not every one will agree.. as you can see! But it all works if you stick to it :) Good luck!
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    PinkPixiexox wrote: »
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    I use TDEE now. When I was using the MFP/NEAT method, I ignored exercise calories, so it was pretty uncomplicated. MFP said my goal is X calories, so I ate X calories.

    MFP says I should be eating 1360 to lose 0.5 lbs per week. Based on the TDEE method, I should be eating around 1500 to lose 0.5 (exercise included). I've been eating at 1500 and losing consistently so I guess both ways have their benefits!
    Yeah, definitely personal preference. Now that I'm paying attention to exercise calories and trying to maintain, TDEE is working well for me. I don't have to try to guess about exercise calories, I just have to see whether my weight's going up or down.

  • Damien_Scott
    Damien_Scott Posts: 108 Member
    Keep in mind that a pound is 3500 calories. If you're only at a 93 calorie/day deficit, it will take you 37.6 days to lose a pound.

    If you need to lose more than 20lbs then I suggest not eating back any exercise calories. However, if you are close you your goal weight then you may want to exercise a lot and just be sure to eat a healthy 1200 calories.

    I've been losing at least 2-3lbs/week with no extra exercise, but I'm at a 1000 calorie deficit at a much higher weight. It becomes a lot harder the closer you get to a healthy weight.

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