Smh at mfp

Now this isn't a bashing. It's a jealousy issue!

Boyfriend has started MFP a few days ago. Put his stats in as 6f6i, light activity, 1.5lb loss and goal of 240. Starting was entered as 330lbs (but I think it's more. Scale maxes at 300)

Anyway, MFP says he gets over 3k calories!! Meanwhile, I get less than 1400. (5f3i, current 215 and goal of 140 2ith 2lbs a week)

So he's been tracking his food just to see what he does eat and not so much for loss. Mostly has been easily under the 3k so we're trying to figure out how to get results

Replies

  • QuixoticLoser
    QuixoticLoser Posts: 8 Member
    Jealous he gets 3x more... but aside from that, he averages 2k calories a day. Well below what it says and in a normal eating pattern. If he would want to lose, he'd have to lie to get the calories to a losing rate.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    edited January 2016
    Now this isn't a bashing. It's a jealousy issue!

    Boyfriend has started MFP a few days ago. Put his stats in as 6f6i, light activity, 1.5lb loss and goal of 240. Starting was entered as 330lbs (but I think it's more. Scale maxes at 300)

    Anyway, MFP says he gets over 3k calories!! Meanwhile, I get less than 1400. (5f3i, current 215 and goal of 140 2ith 2lbs a week)

    So he's been tracking his food just to see what he does eat and not so much for loss. Mostly has been easily under the 3k so we're trying to figure out how to get results

    So he's eating under his goal but not losing weight. Could be one or any combo of these issues:

    1) He is not lightly active, but instead is sedentary.
    2) He is logging his food incorrectly (the most likely) - he needs to weigh and measure his foods properly and use correct database entries. Just because it's "verified" doesn't mean it's right.
    3) He is counting too many calories for exercise (take what MFP gives you and divide by 2). However, if he has lightly active and is only doing aout 1.5-3 hours of exercise a week, he should not log any extra exercise calories at all.
    4) You joined a few days ago and it's WAY too early to tell if nothing/something is happening. Try waiting at least 2-3 weeks before coming to that conclusion.

    One of the very least likely things would be that MFP is wrong. It is 99.9% of the time user error, not program error.
  • QuixoticLoser
    QuixoticLoser Posts: 8 Member
    VeryKatie wrote: »
    Now this isn't a bashing. It's a jealousy issue!

    Boyfriend has started MFP a few days ago. Put his stats in as 6f6i, light activity, 1.5lb loss and goal of 240. Starting was entered as 330lbs (but I think it's more. Scale maxes at 300)

    Anyway, MFP says he gets over 3k calories!! Meanwhile, I get less than 1400. (5f3i, current 215 and goal of 140 2ith 2lbs a week)

    So he's been tracking his food just to see what he does eat and not so much for loss. Mostly has been easily under the 3k so we're trying to figure out how to get results

    So he's eating under his goal but not losing weight. Could be one or any combo of these issues:

    1) He is not lightly active, but instead is sedentary.
    2) He is logging his food incorrectly (the most likely) - he needs to weigh and measure his foods properly and use correct database entries. Just because it's "verified" doesn't mean it's right.
    3) He is counting too many calories for exercise (take what MFP gives you and divide by 2). However, if he has lightly active and is only doing aout 1.5-3 hours of exercise a week, he should not log any extra exercise calories at all.

    Hmm. I've been checking his entries for accuracy but the pizza estimations are a gamble because of people making vs machines. As for exercise, he doesnt. Hmm.... definitely think of tweeking his to 2k for error purposes.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Now this isn't a bashing. It's a jealousy issue!

    Boyfriend has started MFP a few days ago. Put his stats in as 6f6i, light activity, 1.5lb loss and goal of 240. Starting was entered as 330lbs (but I think it's more. Scale maxes at 300)

    Anyway, MFP says he gets over 3k calories!! Meanwhile, I get less than 1400. (5f3i, current 215 and goal of 140 2ith 2lbs a week)

    So he's been tracking his food just to see what he does eat and not so much for loss. Mostly has been easily under the 3k so we're trying to figure out how to get results


    Step 1: Find out how much he really weighs. Don't just guess.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited January 2016
    He should get a real starting weight so buy a new scale

    And I assume you are not seriously surprised that someone double your size gets double your calories?
  • hittrain
    hittrain Posts: 38 Member
    My wife and I had a similar issue when we started MFP. I'm 6'5" and started at 393. I was given 2600 a day and lost 45 lbs by just eating right (2000-2200 a day) and walking a mile or so a day. I'd even have some wobbly pops on a Friday and drop 3-6 pounds a week. Meanwhile, my wife was looking to lose a lot as well but only had 1400 a day to work with. It's a tough struggle and caused us some issues. Unfortunately, we've gained back the weight we lost but are starting over and have made some adjustments based on our experiences the first time.

    Like the previous posters said; make sure he is recording his food correctly and give it time for you to make some real progress.

    Best of luck!!!

    Jon
  • Clobern80
    Clobern80 Posts: 714 Member
    Yeah, you can get a new scale on Amazon for like $20 or less that goes up to 400 pounds. I purchased one recently and love it. Elekcity or something like that.

    But that is unfortunately how it is. Unless the you - as the female - are 6'6" and weigh 330 pounds or more, you won't get anywhere near that in calories. Plus, it "normal" caloric intake for men and women are different in general.

    I personally love it but feel for my wife. She gets like 1800 calories at a 1 pound per week deficit and I get 2550 at a 1 1/2 pound per week deficit. I try not to gloat too much though.
  • QuixoticLoser
    QuixoticLoser Posts: 8 Member
    Lol the men get it. :p that was a pleasant surprise. No, not shocked a man twice my size has more but not that much more.

    May need to look into a new scale. I've had mine for years anyway... maybe, by the time I get one, I can order a pant or something cuz I lost and he didn't yet. :wink:
  • coreyreichle
    coreyreichle Posts: 1,031 Member
    Now this isn't a bashing. It's a jealousy issue!

    Boyfriend has started MFP a few days ago. Put his stats in as 6f6i, light activity, 1.5lb loss and goal of 240. Starting was entered as 330lbs (but I think it's more. Scale maxes at 300)

    Anyway, MFP says he gets over 3k calories!! Meanwhile, I get less than 1400. (5f3i, current 215 and goal of 140 2ith 2lbs a week)

    So he's been tracking his food just to see what he does eat and not so much for loss. Mostly has been easily under the 3k so we're trying to figure out how to get results


    Exercise more, and you'll have a TDEE of 3000 calories too.

    But, be happy: You need less food, which should save you money.
  • rhianna818
    rhianna818 Posts: 85 Member
    My husband started at 475 and his calories were also super high, compared to mine. Especially considering he is more active and I work a desk job. But we are losing pretty close to each other, outside of the initial water weight. We both lose 1-2 lbs a week as long as we accurately track. It can be kinda frustrating that while I am out of calories he still has 1000 left but he is bigger, so it is what it is.
  • samgamgee
    samgamgee Posts: 398 Member
    edited January 2016
    My partner is 6 ft, around 185 (I think) and his calories for losing 1 lb a week are in the same ballpark as my maintenance calories at 5'4 and 138 lbs, haha! It can be difficult to plan food which doesn't put me over or leave him hungry - often we'll finish dinner and I'll be at my calorie goal then he'll eat a 500 calorie ice cream dessert or a bag of cookies, just because he can :wink: I make sure I work out during the day so I can eat a decent sized dinner with him.
  • rhianna818
    rhianna818 Posts: 85 Member
    samgamgee wrote: »
    My partner is 6 ft, around 185 (I think) and his calories for losing 1 lb a week are in the same ballpark as my maintenance calories at 5'4 and 138 lbs, haha! It can be difficult to plan food which doesn't put me over or leave him hungry - often we'll finish dinner and I'll be at my calorie goal then he'll eat a 500 calorie ice cream dessert or a bag of cookies, just because he can :wink: I make sure I work out during the day so I can eat a decent sized dinner with him.

    Yes that can be difficult. For us, we have found that him having more during the day, means we can make and eat dinner together. Works out well. And then if he wants something before bed, and I am out of calories he'll wait till I'm asleep sometimes so as not to eat it in my face. Not that I can't handle it, but he just feels like he is being more supportive. I appreciate that.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Lol the men get it. :p that was a pleasant surprise. No, not shocked a man twice my size has more but not that much more.

    May need to look into a new scale. I've had mine for years anyway... maybe, by the time I get one, I can order a pant or something cuz I lost and he didn't yet. :wink:

    You also picked a more aggressive rate of loss than your husband did, which will also affect things.
  • JAllen32
    JAllen32 Posts: 991 Member
    1. A man, 2. much bigger than you, is going to have way more calories. My hubby is 6'2" 250-260lbs. There is no way I could eat as much as he does. Nor would I want to. Don't worry about how much more he gets, you don't need that much and you will be happy when you start to see the pounds drop off.

    Good luck!!! :smile:
  • ahoy_m8
    ahoy_m8 Posts: 3,053 Member
    Aside from the size difference, you are aiming for faster loss, meaning a steeper deficit. Since you are doing this together, why not adjust your time scale to his? I.e. at 1.5lb/wk, he is looking at roughly a 60 week project. Most people would lose faster at first and slower closer to goal, but for simplicity, let's say 60 weeks. How many calories do you get at 1lb/week? That would be SOOOO much easier to sustain, IMHO.
  • ehsumner2
    ehsumner2 Posts: 1 Member
    edited January 2016
    My partner and I have the same issue; he gets over 3k and I get 1200. I've found what works for me is being really dilligent about having a healthy breakfast and lunch (which we eat separately most days), and making my more caloric meal dinner, which we eat together. This way, when he's eating a little extra in front of me, I don't feel jealous because I can have a little extra too! But whatever works :)
  • sanfromny
    sanfromny Posts: 770 Member
    Now this isn't a bashing. It's a jealousy issue!

    Boyfriend has started MFP a few days ago. Put his stats in as 6f6i, light activity, 1.5lb loss and goal of 240. Starting was entered as 330lbs (but I think it's more. Scale maxes at 300)

    Anyway, MFP says he gets over 3k calories!! Meanwhile, I get less than 1400. (5f3i, current 215 and goal of 140 2ith 2lbs a week)

    So he's been tracking his food just to see what he does eat and not so much for loss. Mostly has been easily under the 3k so we're trying to figure out how to get results

    You and I sound similar. I started 220lbs 5'2", my husband is 6'6" 310. His job was much different than mine, meaning that I was very sedentary he is not. I work in an office 8hrs a day and he works outside 12hrs a day. Of course they burn more calories faster too (boooo! :s ) so even tho it sounds crazy and stupid quite frankly, the numbers works. Current weight for us: Him- 255 and I'm 165
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    VeryKatie wrote: »
    Now this isn't a bashing. It's a jealousy issue!

    Boyfriend has started MFP a few days ago. Put his stats in as 6f6i, light activity, 1.5lb loss and goal of 240. Starting was entered as 330lbs (but I think it's more. Scale maxes at 300)

    Anyway, MFP says he gets over 3k calories!! Meanwhile, I get less than 1400. (5f3i, current 215 and goal of 140 2ith 2lbs a week)

    So he's been tracking his food just to see what he does eat and not so much for loss. Mostly has been easily under the 3k so we're trying to figure out how to get results

    So he's eating under his goal but not losing weight. Could be one or any combo of these issues:

    1) He is not lightly active, but instead is sedentary.
    2) He is logging his food incorrectly (the most likely) - he needs to weigh and measure his foods properly and use correct database entries. Just because it's "verified" doesn't mean it's right.
    3) He is counting too many calories for exercise (take what MFP gives you and divide by 2). However, if he has lightly active and is only doing aout 1.5-3 hours of exercise a week, he should not log any extra exercise calories at all.

    Hmm. I've been checking his entries for accuracy but the pizza estimations are a gamble because of people making vs machines. As for exercise, he doesnt. Hmm.... definitely think of tweeking his to 2k for error purposes.

    I put some random stuff into a calculator... there were assumptions. BUT a 315 lb, 6' 6" man of age 35 (not sure, I just threw something moderate in there) wanted to maintain his weight while sedentary is about 3300. It is SO easy to over estimate your activity and under estimate your food by 300 calories. So maybe try knocking it down to 2500. Or be more accurate.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    He should get a real starting weight so buy a new scale

    And I assume you are not seriously surprised that someone double your size with a smaller weekly weight loss goal gets double your calories?

    FIFY