Is losing weight on 1800 calories a day realistic?

If you're just getting started on MFP and sticking with 1500 is going to derail you because of hunger or cravings, then start out by increasing your calorie goal (you can do it manually), and just concentrate on developing good logging habits and food choices. After several weeks, when you get more comfortable, adjust it downward and keep doing that until you start seeing the losses you want. In the meantime, increase your activity just slightly over the same period of time. The first few weeks were the hardest for me - now I can feel satisfied on a lot less, and it's easier to stay in an exercise routine. Meantime, don't be intimidated by the gym! There's lots of nice people there! And most gyms have a women's workout room or beginner level classes to take.

Have you checked your TDEE? The calculator that MFP provides is a good start and it will be fairly accurate for the amount of weight you are looking to lose. Your food diary and profile isn't public so it's hard to help. Depending on your height, current weight and the your activity setting 1800 could be realistic for your but it could be way off.

rgioviano wrote: »

It really depends on what ingredients or types of foods are contained in that 1800 calories. 1800 calories of meat, vegetables, and fruit is very different from cereal, bread, and dessert. Food type is the main factor, not amount of calories.

This is misleading and inaccurate. A calorie is a calorie no matter what it comes from. If you eat 1800 calories worth of donuts or 1800 calories worth of lean meats and vegetables, it will still require the same amount of a deficit to lose weight. However, food choice does make a difference in how full you will be. You could eat a 300 calorie Dunkin Donuts Boston Cream donut or you could eat a hard boiled egg, medium sized apple and an ounce of cheese for less calories but much more filling.

blankiefinder wrote: »

imarie3 wrote: »

I am currently 214 and find that I can't seem to feel like 1500 calories is enough food..I am active each day but don't formally exercise but I am hoping once I lose around 20 pounds I will feel comfortable enough to get back into the gym. Is it realistic to drop about a pound a week on 1800 calories.... and any success stories would be fantastic!

That would completely depend on your TDEE. For example, a 6'2 male would easily lose on that, as would a 5'8 250 lb woman, but a 5'2 150 lb woman would gain on that.

Best suggestion is to run your numbers through MFP's calculator. Home > goals > guided setup. Please note that MFP does not include exercise when calculating activity level.

Really? I know I am heavier than 150lbs, but I am 4'11" and would lose happily on 1800. Not all short people are glued to the sofa. I am about 167lbs, maybe a little less, I gained a few during a pregnancy that I lost this weekend. Yesterday was a good day and my fitbit (which has been highly accurate for me) says my TDEE was 2903kcal. I don't usually have a day under 2400kcal.

Over the last 30 days, I've averaged 2,000 calories per day and I've lost just under 8lbs - so between 1.5 and 2lbs per week. I'm 5'5 and currently weigh around 212 (down from 220 30 days ago). I do couch to 5K (20 minutes of run/walk intervals) 2-3x/week. I've just added heavy lifting but that's really recent. I try to walk lots and I commute by bike - probably averaging 10 miles/week - so again, not a lot. So I don't do a lot of formal exercise - nothing like when I used to run 20 miles/week - but my overall activity level ends up being quite high and I average about 2,900 calories burned each day. I think the idea that a lightly active woman at our weight would only have a tdee of 2,000 calories is really unlikely. On days when I feel like a sloth and do next to nothing, I usually burn 2,200-2,400. So even on those days I'd lose enough for around 1lb/week.

I think 1,800 sounds good and you should focus on overall activity. I agree that 1,500 is really low, especially if you've been maintaining or gaining on much, much more than that. If it overwhelms you, it's a recipe for failure. Try it, chart it and then assess. At that point you can make informed decisions about calorie goals based on your own unique experience.

Also, getting a fitbit gives you lots more information to work with.

I would loose on that. According to My Fitbit, I use between 2100-2400 calories most days. Actually, I think 1800-1900 is what I'm eating most days, and I've lost 7 pounds since the end of August.