Do I have to eat 1800 even?

sonyakmiec
sonyakmiec Posts: 14 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm confused!!! My goal is to lose a pound a week. I'm supposed to eat 1800 calories. I work out 3-4 times a week and burn 320 calories. I don't eat my calories back and I thought that was good? To end my day around 1200? I thought I could potentially lose 2 pounds a week? I don't get it! I'm not losing anything. Do I HAVE to eat 1800 to lose weight? Not sure this is even a debate...
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Replies

  • DDonohue1995
    DDonohue1995 Posts: 1 Member
    That goal is what you're trying to eat under. Keep in mind, the more you workout the more muscle you'll gain. Muscle weighs more than fat. You'll lose inches before weight. Stay under 1800 calories by the end of the day. It takes time to see results. Especially if you're already somewhat skinny.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,338 Member
    No one is putting on muscle in a calorie deficit so ignore those who give that sort of response.

    How long have you been at this? It sometimes takes time for some people to get going. How carefully are you measuring your servings? Are you sure the database entries you are using here match up with the food you are eating?
  • sonyakmiec
    sonyakmiec Posts: 14 Member
    Honestly, I've been at it for almost 3 months, but I just put the MFP app back on my phone a week ago. I am very careful about measuring and logging everything I put in my mouth. I know I'm under my calorie goal every day. Maybe I'm just bring impatient. I've fluctuated the same 5 pounds for 3 months though!
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    is 1800 the number that MFP gave you?

    If yes, then yes you should be netting 1800.

    Do you use a food scale?
    are you using correct MFP database entries?
    logging everything?
  • sonyakmiec
    sonyakmiec Posts: 14 Member
    Yes, yes, and yes.
  • hko718
    hko718 Posts: 85 Member
    It would be more helpful if you provided some info. Age, height, weight, goal and what type of job you have. Like do you sit at a desk all day or are you on your feet?
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,338 Member
    hko718 wrote: »
    It would be more helpful if you provided some info. Age, height, weight, goal and what type of job you have. Like do you sit at a desk all day or are you on your feet?

    At this point I was going to ask the same thing. If you have been eating what you say you have been eating, then something is screwy.
  • seska422
    seska422 Posts: 3,217 Member
    edited March 2016
    This flowchart has good suggestions of things to investigate:

    uxscf8jh2coq.jpg
  • sonyakmiec
    sonyakmiec Posts: 14 Member
    I think it's super screwy! I'm even logging my "cheats". That's a helpful flow chart. I think I need to give it more time. I didn't gain weight this weekend, so that's a victory. I always fluctuate over the weekend because that's when I typically splurge (but still always under my calorie goal). I'm 41, 10 months postpartum. It's getting harder and harder to drop weight! I quit breastfeeding 4 months ago, so I lost that calorie burn. I'm only working out 2 hours a week, and I only average 5000 steps a day. But with 3 kids, I'm busy!
  • sonyakmiec
    sonyakmiec Posts: 14 Member
    I should mention my splurge on the weekends is a cocktail or 2, which I make myself, so I know exactly what's in them. But I think they cause water retention, and my weight to fluctuate over the weekend. They can't possibly be working against me all week, could they? Did I mention 3 kids? My cocktails are weekend reward!
  • hko718
    hko718 Posts: 85 Member
    Decrease cals by 100-150 for two weeks and then go from there. You're probably less active than you think you are, happens to us all.
  • sonyakmiec
    sonyakmiec Posts: 14 Member
    I could definitely exercise more, for a fact! The weather is getting better-I'll try and get the girls in the stroller more often.
  • jsidogen
    jsidogen Posts: 9 Member
    Is 1800 taken from a BMR standpoint or is that your TDEE?
  • distinctlybeautiful
    distinctlybeautiful Posts: 1,041 Member
    DDonohue1995 wrote: »
    That goal is what you're trying to eat under.

    No, no, no. And no! The goal is what you want to hit. That's why it's your goal. If you were supposed to eat less than that, MFP would have given you a lower goal.
    hko718 wrote: »
    Decrease cals by 100-150 for two weeks and then go from there. You're probably less active than you think you are, happens to us all.

    No, no, and no again! You say you're already being meticulous about measuring your intake, and you're not eating any exercise calories back. That indicates that you're already in a deficit. I'd suggest trying to hit your goal of 1800 calories as closely as possible, which means eating back what you burn through exercise. It sounds counterintuitive, but if you're now eating around 1200 calories, you're kind of at the bottom limit. You shouldn't go lower - and eating so little doesn't seem to be working - so why not try something different?

    Disclaimer: This is merely my opinion based on my own experience. I know I sound like I'm staying facts but only because I strongly believe my own opinion! Go figure, right!? :smile:
  • sonyakmiec
    sonyakmiec Posts: 14 Member
    I'll try that. I'm so frustrated. My body just does not want to let go. Thanks for all your input everybody!
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,338 Member
    edited March 2016
    sonyakmiec wrote: »
    I think it's super screwy! I'm even logging my "cheats". That's a helpful flow chart. I think I need to give it more time. I didn't gain weight this weekend, so that's a victory. I always fluctuate over the weekend because that's when I typically splurge (but still always under my calorie goal). I'm 41, 10 months postpartum. It's getting harder and harder to drop weight! I quit breastfeeding 4 months ago, so I lost that calorie burn. I'm only working out 2 hours a week, and I only average 5000 steps a day. But with 3 kids, I'm busy!

    How tall are you and what is your current weight?
  • rosey35
    rosey35 Posts: 150 Member
    You didn't say how tall you are, are how much you weigh
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    There are mistakes that people commonly make that cause them to not lose weight that we might be able to spot if you change your Diary Sharing settings to Public: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings
  • sonyakmiec
    sonyakmiec Posts: 14 Member
    I'm 5'9" and 202lbs. I'm so close to being out of the 200's!! I felt really great at 180, so that's my goal.
  • sonyakmiec
    sonyakmiec Posts: 14 Member
    I had a baby last May, and my pre pregnancy weight was 186. I was really trying to get back there, at least, before my babe turns 1 on May 7th. Maybe not realistic at this point...
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
    Goal seems reasonable for your height.
    Are you willing to open your diary so folks can have a look-see and make some suggestions? It really does help.
  • sonyakmiec
    sonyakmiec Posts: 14 Member
    Opened it up-have a look!
  • hko718
    hko718 Posts: 85 Member
    Your calories are probably too high for your activity level, height, weight. Drop them moderately to 1600
  • sanfromny
    sanfromny Posts: 770 Member
    edited March 2016
    DDonohue1995 wrote: »
    That goal is what you're trying to eat under. Keep in mind, the more you workout the more muscle you'll gain. Muscle weighs more than fat. You'll lose inches before weight. Stay under 1800 calories by the end of the day. It takes time to see results. Especially if you're already somewhat skinny.

    Besides the highlighted statement, the other stuff is wrong, and wrong.... Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat 1lb of anything is equal to 1lb of anything. the appearance is leaner so can potentially look smaller but weigh exactly the same, or even more. Not everyone loses inches first and 1800 calories is the deficit set up by MFP based on your goals. If you maintain what they are telling you, you will lose.

    Soooo...it sounds like you are overestimating the calories you think you are burning or you are underestimatng the calories you are consuming.

    Exercise has little to do with weight loss...Calories In/Calories Out is what matters most.
  • sanfromny
    sanfromny Posts: 770 Member
    edited March 2016
    Also you mentioned that you've only been back calorie counting for a week so imo you're starting new which means you haven't given it time. I say relax, have a drink when you want it, stay within your 1800 net, and update at the end of the month
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,338 Member
    Based on your numbers 1800 should be working. I would agree that dropping your calories a couple of hundred might be a good approach if others don't find issues in your logging.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    OP, you said you just started logging here this week. So give it a couple more weeks before changing anything. Use the food scale for everything except liquids, log every bite, to get a good idea of where you are. 1,800 is what you are supposed to eat. There is no good reason to eat as low as 1,200 calories, and unless you are super short and sedentary, you would be starving eating that little. So really commit to logging for a couple more weeks and see what happens. Good luck!
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    edited March 2016
    Nevermind ... question was answered upthread so my comment no longer applies.
  • CountessOCandy
    CountessOCandy Posts: 17 Member
    edited March 2016
    Hi there, I'm also 5'9", 42 and weigh 191. MFP gives me 1510 cals at sedentary to lose 1lb a week. I exercise and eat those cals back, so I net very close to that 1510 every day (usually a little under) and am losing at a rate of 1.27 lbs a week (based on 10 weeks of tracking).
  • hko718
    hko718 Posts: 85 Member
    CountessOCandy wrote: »
    Hi there, I'm also 5'9", 42 and weigh 191. MFP gives me 1510 cals at sedentary to lose 1lb a week. I exercise and eat those cals back, so I net very close to that 1510 every day (usually a little under) and am losing at a rate of 1.27 lbs a week (based on 10 weeks of tracking).

    1.27 is a good loss rate per week. carry on
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