I know it's NOT hard to figure out but UGGGGGH!

alimarieban
alimarieban Posts: 141 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
How do you find the "magic number" of calories per day so that you lose weight and don't maintain or GAIN? I have read through some other posts on this subject and I am still confused. I started an exercise program last week and have been working my butt off. I have been averaging 1550 calories per day - worked out 5 days last week- and haven't lost a darn pound. The workout I am doing had a formula to calculate caloric intake and suggested that I consume 1900 calories per day. Assuming of course that I work out on that day. I get the calorie in/calorie out thing but will a 350 calorie defecit really hinder my weight loss efforts? It's so upsetting to work SO hard, expect SOME kind of results, hop on the scale and have the same number pop up..... Any insight?

Replies

  • LillysGranny
    LillysGranny Posts: 431
    I've had good luck using the number MFP has come up with for me -- 1260 per day if I don't work out, and I try to eat back most of my exercise calories. This has resulted in about a pound a week weight loss, which is exactly what I set for my goal.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Go for the calories MFP recommends for you to achieve a 1lb a week weight loss and eat back all or most of your exercise calories and you'll lose weight with no hard sums required!
  • jenniferg83
    jenniferg83 Posts: 278 Member
    Sometimes when you work out so hard, you body will hold onto your food a little longer to repair, etc. give it time and you will see some results. it takes your body a bit to adjust and let go of the weight. also, if you're working out 5 days a week you might wanna consider eating a little more. If you're doing weights, i know from personally experiencing this, that your body will go up a pound or 2 while it's repairing your muscles then it drops it. so remember you're body is transforming. Keep up your hard work and dedication!!!!! It WILL pay off.
  • ande2994
    ande2994 Posts: 136
    If I read your post correctly, you've been doing this for one week and haven't seen results. Give it another couple of weeks. Remember, this is a lifestyle change, not a crash diet. It takes a little while, but the weight will come off -- and stay off!
  • kellywaller1
    kellywaller1 Posts: 101
    i have the same problem scale not moving!!!!!1
  • alimarieban
    alimarieban Posts: 141 Member
    Thanks so much for the reply! I have been counting calories for so long (before that WW points) that 1900 calories seems absurd! It's almost like cheating on my diet?? I will eat more..... I really hope it works. Sooo tired of being chubby. ;-)
  • lallaloolly
    lallaloolly Posts: 228 Member
    not all results are about the scale! if you are gaining muscle, that will help you burn fat in the long run. don't let yourself get discouraged after a week. if you continue working out, you should get fitter and fitter.

    i've had success losing weight with MFP as long as i stick with the numbers it gives me, and i always eat back my exercise calories. if i eat too far above or below my target number, i don't have as good results. i did plateau a little after 8 pounds, but once i changed up my workout routine, i started losing again.
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    My scale hasnt been moving much for the past 3 weeks BUT inches are falling off of me. i am doing strength training though, and gaining muscle. I just started the couch 25k to get more cardio in and more muscles active.
  • alimarieban
    alimarieban Posts: 141 Member
    Thanks everyone for the replies! WOW- I feel better already! :-) I will just have to remind myself that I didn't gain all of this weight in a week- sure as heck won't lose it in a week either! Just frustrated. .... I will eat more and keep doing Insanity. Hopefully soon I will be in better shape, down a few pounds, and find my caloric "zone" so that I can lose weight and get healthy!
  • cdixon1962
    cdixon1962 Posts: 1
    once you have built a bit of muscle then the metabolism speeds up.
    try this link.
    http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/metabolism-myths.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthHealthyLiving_20110619
  • Louiselesley
    Louiselesley Posts: 166 Member
    I agree that if you only just started this it may take a while for your body to adjust to a radical change in diet and exercise.

    Also - don't worry if the scale doesn't move. It's the way you feel and the way you look is the important thing. You may notice your body changing, loosing inches and gaining muscle, and that is what is important.

    I find MFP to be great for making sure you eat the right amount of calories and know exactly how much to eat back after exercising.
  • alimarieban
    alimarieban Posts: 141 Member
    Thanks again all for the encouraging words. I am trying to reply to each response but it looks like I am replying to all?? New to this posting on MFP too! :-) I will follow everyones advice- eat back my exercise calories, be patient, and try to notice other things besides the number on that silly scale. Is there anyone here who just doesn't weight in? Maybe the scale is part of the reason that I get so down and frustrated!
  • alimarieban
    alimarieban Posts: 141 Member
    Oooh! I did the C25K last year. It was fantastic! I went from not being able to run for 60 seconds to running the 5K distance. Keep it up- it is so empowering to run those 3+ miles!
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    Oooh! I did the C25K last year. It was fantastic! I went from not being able to run for 60 seconds to running the 5K distance. Keep it up- it is so empowering to run those 3+ miles!
    I can't wait to be able to do that! *squeals *
  • TranquilityBreeze
    TranquilityBreeze Posts: 36 Member
    Arg! This just happened to me this morning. I started last Monday and thought for sure I would have lost something. My goal is 1200 a day which I have been doing. Though, some days I was not hungry and didn't want to force myself to eat, especially if I had exercise calories to eat. I know that our bodies can fluctuate a few pounds on any given day, so maybe I weighed myself at a bad time. And, I did just totally change my eating/exercise routine, so maybe my body is adjusting. I think I am going to weigh myself every 2 weeks instead of every week as I do get discouraged if I don't see any results. :(
  • l3ugjuice
    l3ugjuice Posts: 233
    How do you find the "magic number" of calories per day so that you lose weight and don't maintain or GAIN?

    Buy a monitor and wear it, so you get an accurate BMR number rather than a guess, not to mention reasonably accurate numbers on how many calories you burn @ exercise. The only other insight I can give you is, well, dont expect instant results because you are not going to get them....so just go ahead and accept that now.
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