Ladies - how many calories have you been eating per day to lose weight?

DaphneSW
DaphneSW Posts: 117 Member
edited March 2016 in Health and Weight Loss
I have found this difficult.
MFP originally generated 1450 net calories per day - which was definitely not enough for me. I felt hungry, and deprived. Not sustainable in the long term FOR ME, and I'm not happy feeling like i'm not eating enough.

I got sick of it, so since then I've been eating about 2500 per day - combined with exercise.
In an average day I eat grains (rice, breads etc), lots of vegetables, and fruits. I'll enjoy a sweet treat here and there, but the main components of my diet are pretty healthy.

So I raised my limit to 1600 net for a 21 year old female, who is about 62KG (137 pounds)

My question is how many calories you ladies have as a net per day - whilst still seeing results? And do you eat back all calories from exercise?
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Replies

  • skbrodie
    skbrodie Posts: 81 Member
    1400-1600
  • sarahseaya
    sarahseaya Posts: 5 Member
    1200 on days w/o exercise
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I need 1400-1600 to lose as well. TDEE of about 1800.
  • stephanielosey
    stephanielosey Posts: 19 Member
    Approximately 1200!
  • DaphneSW
    DaphneSW Posts: 117 Member
    HOW do you do only 1200 calories?? I'm genuinely wanting to know. How do you even feel full? What do you eat?
    I literally can't eat that little!!!!! Even 1450 just felt depriving!
  • Forty6and2
    Forty6and2 Posts: 2,492 Member
    I do 1500 minimum but I include a bunch of cardio into my regular schedule because I love eating and I don't find cardio too objectionable. I know it's not for everybody, but I don't mind it.

    What are you goals? You said you're about 137 lbs. If you're not looking to lose too much more weight, you might try setting your goal to losing a half pound per week and see if that calorie goal is closer to what you are seeking.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    HOW do you do only 1200 calories?? I'm genuinely wanting to know. How do you even feel full? What do you eat?
    I literally can't eat that little!!!!! Even 1450 just felt depriving!


    When I need to dip down low I focus on high volume foods, protein, moderate fat, decently low carb. My salads are so big I have to eat them out of a metal mixing bowl, and they can be anywhere from only 200-400 calories. I eat low fat cheese and dairy, don't cook with oil, no pasta/rice. I don't drink any calories besides cream and sugar in my coffee. Basically lean meat, ridiculous amount of veg, lots of protein and fiber.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    OP I'm confused...Are you losing eating 2500 or not? Are you assuming you burn 900 calories per day through exercise?
  • vivelajackie
    vivelajackie Posts: 321 Member
    Mixing bowls are honestly the only way to eat salads. A serving of spinach takes up that much space by itself. ;)

    I'm around 1800... I can do 2000 but I'm heavier at 279, so by that argument I can still eat a decent amount of calories and create a large enough deficit to lose. For the past 2 days I've hovered around 1500 after the day was done and was honestly too full for my evening snack to make it to the 1800. Lots of veg. Good sources of lean protein. It's possible to be sustained with the right foods.
  • DaphneSW
    DaphneSW Posts: 117 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    OP I'm confused...Are you losing eating 2500 or not? Are you assuming you burn 900 calories per day through exercise?

    Yeah, I seem to be losing weight!! Significant loss of fat around my face/neck already!
    I walk to and from work everyday (approx 500 calories), plus track my runs with apps (approx 400 calories) so i can burn anywhere between 500-900 calories per day. This is based on data from runkeeper and apple health pedometer
  • ClosetBayesian
    ClosetBayesian Posts: 836 Member
    About 1400 per day, give or take. Lots of protein. Glass of wine in the evenings, too.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    OP I'm confused...Are you losing eating 2500 or not? Are you assuming you burn 900 calories per day through exercise?

    Yeah, I seem to be losing weight!! Significant loss of fat around my face/neck already!
    I walk to and from work everyday (approx 500 calories), plus track my runs with apps (approx 400 calories) so i can burn anywhere between 500-900 calories per day. This is based on data from runkeeper and apple health pedometer

    Well, something seems a bit off but if you're losing keep at it.
  • DaphneSW
    DaphneSW Posts: 117 Member
    Forty6and2 wrote: »
    I do 1500 minimum but I include a bunch of cardio into my regular schedule because I love eating and I don't find cardio too objectionable. I know it's not for everybody, but I don't mind it.

    What are you goals? You said you're about 137 lbs. If you're not looking to lose too much more weight, you might try setting your goal to losing a half pound per week and see if that calorie goal is closer to what you are seeking.

    I've never been overweight, my goal from the beginning has just been focused on not being skinny fat anymore. Overall slimming of my body - my tummy, arms and legs.
    Only looking to lose approx 10 pounds.
  • DaphneSW
    DaphneSW Posts: 117 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    OP I'm confused...Are you losing eating 2500 or not? Are you assuming you burn 900 calories per day through exercise?

    Yeah, I seem to be losing weight!! Significant loss of fat around my face/neck already!
    I walk to and from work everyday (approx 500 calories), plus track my runs with apps (approx 400 calories) so i can burn anywhere between 500-900 calories per day. This is based on data from runkeeper and apple health pedometer

    Well, something seems a bit off but if you're losing keep at it.

    Yeah - I literally don't get how this is happening.. where abouts do you think it's particuarly off?
  • trjjoy
    trjjoy Posts: 666 Member
    1200 on non-exercise days, which has been nearly every day these last two weeks or so :D
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    edited March 2016
    My 30 day average intake is roughly 1841 total calories per day(some days higher and some lower). I say roughly because there are days like today were I went out to eat and have to guesstimate my calories (local place...no nutritional info available). MFP gave me a net goal of 1300 to lose 1 lb per week. I however typically will net closer to 1500 calories (so I'm in the red almost daily). I eat exercise calories/fitbit activity adjustments.

    In that time I've lost 2.3 lbs which is approximately 0.53 lbs a week.

    I'm 5'4.5" and in the low 120's right now. So my weight loss is right in line with what it should be.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    OP I'm confused...Are you losing eating 2500 or not? Are you assuming you burn 900 calories per day through exercise?

    Yeah, I seem to be losing weight!! Significant loss of fat around my face/neck already!
    I walk to and from work everyday (approx 500 calories), plus track my runs with apps (approx 400 calories) so i can burn anywhere between 500-900 calories per day. This is based on data from runkeeper and apple health pedometer

    Well, something seems a bit off but if you're losing keep at it.

    Yeah - I literally don't get how this is happening.. where abouts do you think it's particuarly off?

    2500 calories for a 137 lb woman, to LOSE...seems high. Might mean you are overestimating your food intake. Or you are active AF.

    I mean, I'm bulking and gaining weight right now. Lightly active. When I'm 137 I gain weight on anything about 1800-1900 calories.
  • DaphneSW
    DaphneSW Posts: 117 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    OP I'm confused...Are you losing eating 2500 or not? Are you assuming you burn 900 calories per day through exercise?

    Yeah, I seem to be losing weight!! Significant loss of fat around my face/neck already!
    I walk to and from work everyday (approx 500 calories), plus track my runs with apps (approx 400 calories) so i can burn anywhere between 500-900 calories per day. This is based on data from runkeeper and apple health pedometer

    Well, something seems a bit off but if you're losing keep at it.

    Yeah - I literally don't get how this is happening.. where abouts do you think it's particuarly off?

    2500 calories for a 137 lb woman, to LOSE...seems high. Might mean you are overestimating your food intake. Or you are active AF.

    I mean, I'm bulking and gaining weight right now. Lightly active. When I'm 137 I gain weight on anything about 1800-1900 calories.

    Over estimating is possible... But I'm doubtful because i measure EVERYTHING I eat. I even have scales at my work office for when i make mochaccino, or spontaneously buy snacks...
    Even at home, I weigh everything from frozen blueberries, rice crackers etc. I also do meal preps which involve me weighing all my ingredients before I start cooking. I feel like i've been pretty accurate.
    You're right though - 2500 is a *kitten* tonne. I don't get it. I'm also surprised I eat that much. I can't help it - I have a huge appetite.
    Although, given the exercise I'm doing that would mean I'm averaging anywhere between 1600-2000 calories per day.

    That's crazy that 1800-1900 will make you gain weight!
    Damn. my brain is confused. as f.
  • ElizabethOakes2
    ElizabethOakes2 Posts: 1,038 Member
    1200-1300 on non-exercise days, of which there have been a lot lately. (My bad knee has apparently caused some hip problems- I have a few weeks of physical therapy to look forward to). 1400-1500 on exercise days. I use a fitness tracker and keep track of my TDEE and try to eat 300-500 below that.
  • DaphneSW
    DaphneSW Posts: 117 Member
    My 30 day average intake is roughly 1841 total calories per day(some days higher and some lower). I say roughly because there are days like today were I went out to eat and have to guesstimate my calories (local place...no nutritional info available). MFP gave me a net goal of 1300 to lose 1 lb per week. I however typically will net closer to 1500 calories (so I'm in the red almost daily). I eat exercise calories/fitbit activity adjustments.

    In that time I've lost 2.3 lbs which is approximately 0.53 lbs a week.

    I'm 5'4.5" and in the low 120's right now. So my weight loss is right in line with what it should be.

    How did you calculate your 30 day average? Is there a quick tool - or will i have to do this manually :p bahaha
  • ElizabethOakes2
    ElizabethOakes2 Posts: 1,038 Member
    Oh, how do I survive on 1200? :) Short story: I work from home. My commute is about 25 steps from the bedroom to my desk. When it comes down to lifestyle, mine is really sedentary, not counting the walking/swimming/hula hooping that I've been adding regularly.

    Some days, my TDEE is 1340. The only way to lose weight is to eat less than that.
  • beckygreene86
    beckygreene86 Posts: 27 Member
    I hover around 1200-1300 calories. I walk 4 days a week and I do not usually eat back those calories. I run about 3 days a week and I will eat back about 1/2 of those. I like my sweets. I tell people I run so I can eat. I watch what I eat but I will not deprive myself. If I want that pie, I'll eat it and then make sure I work it off that day. If I deprive myself of my sweets I won't stick to it. Most days I do fine on the lower calories. I have had trouble with feeling the effects of it with my runs when I wasn't eating back much of the calories burnt. This is an area I've been working on, losing weight but still fueling my cardio.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    OP I'm confused...Are you losing eating 2500 or not? Are you assuming you burn 900 calories per day through exercise?

    Yeah, I seem to be losing weight!! Significant loss of fat around my face/neck already!
    I walk to and from work everyday (approx 500 calories), plus track my runs with apps (approx 400 calories) so i can burn anywhere between 500-900 calories per day. This is based on data from runkeeper and apple health pedometer

    Well, something seems a bit off but if you're losing keep at it.

    Yeah - I literally don't get how this is happening.. where abouts do you think it's particuarly off?

    2500 calories for a 137 lb woman, to LOSE...seems high. Might mean you are overestimating your food intake. Or you are active AF.

    I mean, I'm bulking and gaining weight right now. Lightly active. When I'm 137 I gain weight on anything about 1800-1900 calories.

    Over estimating is possible... But I'm doubtful because i measure EVERYTHING I eat. I even have scales at my work office for when i make mochaccino, or spontaneously buy snacks...
    Even at home, I weigh everything from frozen blueberries, rice crackers etc. I also do meal preps which involve me weighing all my ingredients before I start cooking. I feel like i've been pretty accurate.
    You're right though - 2500 is a *kitten* tonne. I don't get it. I'm also surprised I eat that much. I can't help it - I have a huge appetite.
    Although, given the exercise I'm doing that would mean I'm averaging anywhere between 1600-2000 calories per day.

    That's crazy that 1800-1900 will make you gain weight!
    Damn. my brain is confused. as f.

    What's your normal routine like? I honestly don't see as being impossible. Looking back at my trackers history, when I was in the mid to low 130's my maintenance was about 2500 calories (I was averaging a little over 10k steps a day, lifting 3 x a week, running 2- 3 miles 2-3 days a week) and I can see someone who is more active than that easily needing more to maintain.
  • CooCooPuff
    CooCooPuff Posts: 4,374 Member
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    My 30 day average intake is roughly 1841 total calories per day(some days higher and some lower). I say roughly because there are days like today were I went out to eat and have to guesstimate my calories (local place...no nutritional info available). MFP gave me a net goal of 1300 to lose 1 lb per week. I however typically will net closer to 1500 calories (so I'm in the red almost daily). I eat exercise calories/fitbit activity adjustments.

    In that time I've lost 2.3 lbs which is approximately 0.53 lbs a week.

    I'm 5'4.5" and in the low 120's right now. So my weight loss is right in line with what it should be.

    How did you calculate your 30 day average? Is there a quick tool - or will i have to do this manually :p bahaha
    It's something on the desktop version of Fitbit. I think you'd have to do it manually if you don't have one.

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    My 30 day average intake is roughly 1841 total calories per day(some days higher and some lower). I say roughly because there are days like today were I went out to eat and have to guesstimate my calories (local place...no nutritional info available). MFP gave me a net goal of 1300 to lose 1 lb per week. I however typically will net closer to 1500 calories (so I'm in the red almost daily). I eat exercise calories/fitbit activity adjustments.

    In that time I've lost 2.3 lbs which is approximately 0.53 lbs a week.

    I'm 5'4.5" and in the low 120's right now. So my weight loss is right in line with what it should be.

    How did you calculate your 30 day average? Is there a quick tool - or will i have to do this manually :p bahaha

    Fitbit does it for me.
    I don't know if MFP has an option to do that though.
  • DaphneSW
    DaphneSW Posts: 117 Member
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    DaphneSW wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    OP I'm confused...Are you losing eating 2500 or not? Are you assuming you burn 900 calories per day through exercise?

    Yeah, I seem to be losing weight!! Significant loss of fat around my face/neck already!
    I walk to and from work everyday (approx 500 calories), plus track my runs with apps (approx 400 calories) so i can burn anywhere between 500-900 calories per day. This is based on data from runkeeper and apple health pedometer

    Well, something seems a bit off but if you're losing keep at it.

    Yeah - I literally don't get how this is happening.. where abouts do you think it's particuarly off?

    2500 calories for a 137 lb woman, to LOSE...seems high. Might mean you are overestimating your food intake. Or you are active AF.

    I mean, I'm bulking and gaining weight right now. Lightly active. When I'm 137 I gain weight on anything about 1800-1900 calories.

    Over estimating is possible... But I'm doubtful because i measure EVERYTHING I eat. I even have scales at my work office for when i make mochaccino, or spontaneously buy snacks...
    Even at home, I weigh everything from frozen blueberries, rice crackers etc. I also do meal preps which involve me weighing all my ingredients before I start cooking. I feel like i've been pretty accurate.
    You're right though - 2500 is a *kitten* tonne. I don't get it. I'm also surprised I eat that much. I can't help it - I have a huge appetite.
    Although, given the exercise I'm doing that would mean I'm averaging anywhere between 1600-2000 calories per day.

    That's crazy that 1800-1900 will make you gain weight!
    Damn. my brain is confused. as f.

    What's your normal routine like? I honestly don't see as being impossible. Looking back at my trackers history, when I was in the mid to low 130's my maintenance was about 2500 calories (I was averaging a little over 10k steps a day, lifting 3 x a week, running 2- 3 miles 2-3 days a week) and I can see someone who is more active than that easily needing more to maintain.

    Oh wow, that's very interesting! So given that amount of activity you were maintaining weight and not gaining/losing?

    My normal routine.. my steps per day average at 15,000. Then on top of that i'm going on runs approx 3-4 times a week. I'm not lifting at all and therefore my only form of exercise is from my walking and running
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    How much are you losing per week?
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Ugh you guys are KIND of making me want to do cardio.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    I need 1400-1600 to lose as well. TDEE of about 1800.

    ^ This is me, exactly.
  • CooCooPuff
    CooCooPuff Posts: 4,374 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Ugh you guys are KIND of making me want to do cardio.
    Running is something I've always wanted to do. That's not to say the extra calories from it isn't a really nice perk. :p