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what should my base calorie intake be?

mnec2010
mnec2010 Posts: 132 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I have myself set as my daily activity level is low because im a student and spend most of my days sitting, however I work out 1-2 hours each day. Because I said im a low activity level, it says I should eat 1200 but i always burn about 4-500 thus always being under my calorie goal. Should I change my activity level to something higher to include the physical activity so I would have a higher starting calorie goal, like 1700? What should a healthy weight be for me? Im 21, 140 lbs, and 5'7. Id like to be 125!

Replies

  • MandaLee8908
    MandaLee8908 Posts: 1,353 Member
    I'm 26, 5'5" and I would kill to be 140! :-P

    You should probably up your activity level to reflect your workouts, or at the very least, make sure you eat back your exercise calories.
  • JennLifts
    JennLifts Posts: 1,913 Member
    you should just eat back those 400-500 your burning...
  • KarenLouise1981
    KarenLouise1981 Posts: 144
    I'm also a student and do 1-2 hrs exercise per day too and have my activity level set at sedentary (1200 cals) but log my exercise (anywhere between 500-1000 cals per day). You will see when you log exercise you get extra calories to eat - try and eat some of them as you don't have a lot of weight to lose and will burn muscle mass before fat if you under eat and that will slow your metabolism (they call it starvation mode on here but I hate that term - I aint gonna starve anytime soon lol!) You need to eat to feed your muscles and your metabolism fire! I try to eat at least half but play around and see what workes for you. As for optimal weight there are tools on here you can use to find BMI and goal weight - i think it's under tools t the top of the page? I am 5'5" and want to end at 125 to give you an idea but it all depends on your frame and muscle composition. Good luck and try not to stress too much - it really isn't that scary!
  • mnec2010
    mnec2010 Posts: 132 Member
    wow-thanks for the reply!!
  • vsetter
    vsetter Posts: 558 Member
    Your net should be 1200. So you should probably be eating back the calories that you burned with exercise. Best of luck :)
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