Calories to eat v calories deficite

wendypark811
wendypark811 Posts: 65 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi Everyone,
I have been using mfp since last October (indroduced by gym manager). I was 10st 3lb/ height 5ft, bmi 28. She set it for eating 1200 cals a day. Now 9st with bmi 24.

Each day around 9-12thous steps taken and then there is the gym strenght and cardio (500 cals + burnt). Today I mentioned my tummy is not moving everything else is gone the trainer looked at mfp and told me not eating enought.

Is this right
1200 cals woman per day then add steps about 300 cals.
Do not include my gym workout thinking this would be my deficite.
Mfp always has at least 100 cals remaining.

I have been told it must read zero, the deficite has already been removed.

Is this right?

I need to sort this out.

Thanks
Wendy

Replies

  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    If your goal is 1200 then you burn 300 through exercise then you need to eat 1500 if you're following MFP as it is intended to be used. MFP already figured your deficit when it gave you 1200 - when you exercise you're making a bigger deficit then is needed so you can also eat some or all of those back.
  • shazpot1
    shazpot1 Posts: 1 Member
    Hi, I am new to mfp. Should I count my excerising into my app or just store it for takeaway treat night on Saturday? Also will I lose weight if I'm not adding excerising and having calores left each day.
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    what setting have you used for your rate of loss? 1 lb per week?

    The 1200 already includes a deficit even if you lay in bed all day. So let's say you eat a total of 1200 calories. If you get a steps adjustment of 300 and you exercised for 500 calories (don't know if that's actually the right amount, though, but I go with it for my example) this means you've "NET" only 400 calories in your day (1200 eaten - 800 extra activity calories). You're short, you don't weigh a lot. Your deficit probably shouldn't be very large. The 1200 goal already includes a deficit. If you get 800 calories of exercise credit, this means you should eat 2000 calories.

    One caveat, though. Many people here only "eat back" half their gym calories. So in this case, you'd eat 1200+300 (for your steps)+250 for the gym=1750 total calories. Your app would show you as +250 over your goal, or a "net" calorie of 1450 (since you aren't giving yourself credit through the ap for your gym time).
  • wendypark811
    wendypark811 Posts: 65 Member
    Mine is 2lb a week lose
  • sllm1
    sllm1 Posts: 2,130 Member
    Yes, MFP already figures in your deficit. You can have 0 calories left and you've hit your deficit goal for the day.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,404 Member
    edited June 2016
    You're under-eating. With a BMI at 24, set your goals to "Lose 1/2 kilo a week" (or less, if there is a setting for less - 1/4 kilo would be best. Half pound if you are using pounds.)

    Add back in your exercise calories, and eat until your diary reads Zero at the bottom. So, your trainer is correct. Just use the tool as it is designed.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    What is your ultimate goal? Are you trying to lose more scale weight? Improve body composition (you mentioned stomach)?

    1200 is likely too low as this is triggered from too aggressive of a weight loss goal. If you don't have much to lose, setting it for 0.5 lb/week, or even to maintain while focusing on strength training for recomposition of your body would be more appropriate. You should be eating back a portion of your exercise calories as well.

  • wendypark811
    wendypark811 Posts: 65 Member
    Flatten my stomach but doing core training for that. It has took some getting use to the fact that I eat more today than ever.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    wendypark811 wrote: »
    Flatten my stomach but doing core training for that. It has took some getting use to the fact that I eat more today than ever.

    If you aren't looking to lose scale weight then 1200 cals is definitely too low, even as a net calorie target. You should likely set your goal to "Maintain My Current Weight" and then focus on recomposition.

    You may find some good tips in this thread:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
  • wendypark811
    wendypark811 Posts: 65 Member
    Thanks for the help.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    sllm1 wrote: »
    Yes, MFP already figures in your deficit. You can have 0 calories left and you've hit your deficit goal for the day.

    ^^ this

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