Are 1600 calories a lot?

I finally decided to maintain my weight at 121 lbs, height 5'3 ft, 19 years old, sometimes I feel like 1600 calories are not enough, many TDEE calculators gave me 1500-1600ish,but it's not enough:// like there's not enough space for food and it sucks, I don't eat junk food and I try to get my nutrition , still not satisfied. I've gone through 3 days binging this week and the week before, although I was in a deficit before the binging but I'm sure I ate all of those calories back and more, but didn't notice a difference in my weight, I don't judge from the scale because I know I'll have extra pounds from water, sodium.. Etc
I judge from my clothes and the mirror, still the same, recently I'm not active, but after a week I'll start working out again 2-3 days a week besides I'll have classes 4 days a week.

So what do you think, I need some guiding.

Replies

Noreenmarie1234

WHen you are working out you can easily eat a lot more. I am lighter than you and I workout 4-5 times a week and maintain on 2200-2600 I would be starving too at 1600.

LivingtheLeanDream

You are much younger than me and we are similar heights/weight - I maintain on 2100-2300 cals a day. (I'm active )
I reckon even if you were sedentary that 1600 would be the minimum to eat and maintain, possibly still lose, if you are active at all it will be more than that - maintenance takes a bit of trial and error but if I were you I'd be trying 1750-1800 at least for a few weeks and then up the calories again when you see you are maintaining.

batoolnabulsi

Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »

WHen you are working out you can easily eat a lot more. I am lighter than you and I workout 4-5 times a week and maintain on 2200-2600 I would be starving too at 1600.

Yea starving

batoolnabulsi

RunRutheeRun wrote: »

You are much younger than me and we are similar heights/weight - I maintain on 2100-2300 cals a day. (I'm active )
I reckon even if you were sedentary that 1600 would be the minimum to eat and maintain, possibly still lose, if you are active at all it will be more than that - maintenance takes a bit of trial and error but if I were you I'd be trying 1750-1800 at least for a few weeks and then up the calories again when you see you are maintaining.

I'll weigh myself and see, if I lost weight I'll add more calories, it sucks to eat 1600,I don't get to enjoy treats or taste food, I don't wanna keep obsessing

JeromeBarry1

My youngest daughter is 20, about 5'7", maintaining on about 1800. She's not particularly active and does not work out. She used MFP long enough to understand her maintenance needs.

VividDawn

I can barely maintain at 1600 during my lazy days. Every day activity on a regular basis and I need 1800+
I'm trying to gain weight, so my goal is 2000+ bare minimum on lazy days.

Remember that "junk food" is not totally evil. It's perfectly fine to have a bowl of ice cream, or a few cookies, burger, etc to help with calories. It only becomes a problem if that is what you eat MOSTLY and hardly do anything healthy.
I love veggies, cooked in butter or dipped in Ranch dressing. Fruit dipped in marshmallow fluff, or yogurt (but not diet/lite). Healthy AND tasty or treats for calorie high stuff is totally doable

arditarose

Not enough for me. i maintain around 1800-1900 and still feel that isn't enough.

batoolnabulsi

JeromeBarry1 wrote: »

My youngest daughter is 20, about 5'7", maintaining on about 1800. She's not particularly active and does not work out. She used MFP long enough to understand her maintenance needs.

What's her weight?
And ugh 1800 without being active sounds good.

batoolnabulsi

arditarose wrote: »

Not enough for me. i maintain around 1800-1900 and still feel that isn't enough.

What's your age/weight/height/activity level?

batoolnabulsi

VividDawn wrote: »

I can barely maintain at 1600 during my lazy days. Every day activity on a regular basis and I need 1800+
I'm trying to gain weight, so my goal is 2000+ bare minimum on lazy days.

Remember that "junk food" is not totally evil. It's perfectly fine to have a bowl of ice cream, or a few cookies, burger, etc to help with calories. It only becomes a problem if that is what you eat MOSTLY and hardly do anything healthy.
I love veggies, cooked in butter or dipped in Ranch dressing. Fruit dipped in marshmallow fluff, or yogurt (but not diet/lite). Healthy AND tasty or treats for calorie high stuff is totally doable

I do eat junk food, but not alot, I try to balance those 1600cals to eat the thing I like

cwolfman13

The more you move, the more energy (calories) you require. Think of it like a car...if it just sits there, it doesn't really need gas...if you drive it, it will need gas...the more you drive, the more gas it needs.

batoolnabulsi

cwolfman13 wrote: »

The more you move, the more energy (calories) you require. Think of it like a car...if it just sits there, it doesn't really need gas...if you drive it, it will need gas...the more you drive, the more gas it needs.

I know, but I can't eat easily when I don't know what are my maintenance calories, I fear gaining weight, and I don't wanna lose either.
Even when I'm not moving alot, I still feel like eating more than 1600

Nikion901

If you click on the APS link in the menu bar of MFP you will be able to select the BMR calculcator where it will tell you how many calories you need to consume is you did nothing but rested for 24 hours. That might be a good indicator for yourself as to where the 1600 calories fit in for you. ...

I have 1600 calories set as my deficit calorie goal to but the weight loss is slow at that point for me ... MFP recommended I cut an additional 60-some calories a day to lose a pound a week. And of course, it is not ever a steady loss each week.

Hope this helped.

batoolnabulsi

Nikion901 wrote: »

If you click on the APS link in the menu bar of MFP you will be able to select the BMR calculcator where it will tell you how many calories you need to consume is you did nothing but rested for 24 hours. That might be a good indicator for yourself as to where the 1600 calories fit in for you. ...

I have 1600 calories set as my deficit calorie goal to but the weight loss is slow at that point for me ... MFP recommended I cut an additional 60-some calories a day to lose a pound a week. And of course, it is not ever a steady loss each week.

Hope this helped.

MFP gave me 1640

not that big difference

batoolnabulsi

I wanna enjoy food

mkakids

arditarose wrote: »

Not enough for me. i maintain around 1800-1900 and still feel that isn't enough.

Me too. Im 5'5" and 162#. To lose .5-1# a week I need to eat less 1400-1500 cals a day on non gym days. Days when I run (usually 3-4miles) aand lift, I get to eat 1600-1700 and still lose.

tmi_gang

I'm on 1,500 a day right now.
To be honest, it's not much. Calories add up quick, but I'm trying to get in better shape for a cruise.
Everyone is different.

MichelleLea122

I'm 5'4'' 115lbs. I have a BMR of like 1350, but with my pretty sedentary lifestyle my TDEE is <1500. But with an hour of lifting and an hour of cardio, my TDEE ends up being like 2100. Hope this helps you out.

sunnybeaches105

batoolnabulsi wrote: »

Nikion901 wrote: »

If you click on the APS link in the menu bar of MFP you will be able to select the BMR calculcator where it will tell you how many calories you need to consume is you did nothing but rested for 24 hours. That might be a good indicator for yourself as to where the 1600 calories fit in for you. ...

I have 1600 calories set as my deficit calorie goal to but the weight loss is slow at that point for me ... MFP recommended I cut an additional 60-some calories a day to lose a pound a week. And of course, it is not ever a steady loss each week.

Hope this helped.

MFP gave me 1640 not that big difference

What about the extra calories for exercise that you should be entering?

heybales

batoolnabulsi wrote: »

Nikion901 wrote: »

If you click on the APS link in the menu bar of MFP you will be able to select the BMR calculcator where it will tell you how many calories you need to consume is you did nothing but rested for 24 hours. That might be a good indicator for yourself as to where the 1600 calories fit in for you. ...

I have 1600 calories set as my deficit calorie goal to but the weight loss is slow at that point for me ... MFP recommended I cut an additional 60-some calories a day to lose a pound a week. And of course, it is not ever a steady loss each week.

Hope this helped.

MFP gave me 1640 not that big difference

Ya - but that's if you slept all day long - basic metabolic functions of life.

You wake up and sit around all day you'd burn more. RMR.

Actually get up and move around - more yet.

About 10% of what you eat is burned by body to process the food.

That recommendation was to see where 1600 is in the scheme of things - and it should inform you that you can eat much much more.
Shoot - 2000 is likely sedentary for you - and you aren't even sedentary actually.

You've probably got lost glucose stores in muscles that will top off - you will gain needed water weight when you eat more - and that will actually increase your metabolism to expected levels.
It's probably not right now.

I'll bet energy level will pick up too - making you yet even more active, and workouts even better.

Don't start out your adult life tied to the scale and a bad association with food and your body.
You'll regret 30-40 years of yo-yo dieting that could easily become the result of an unhealthy fixation on the scale.
I'll bet the initial water weight gain won't even make inches on your body change.
And guess which one people will see - scale or you?

batoolnabulsi

sunnybeaches105 wrote: »

batoolnabulsi wrote: »

Nikion901 wrote: »

If you click on the APS link in the menu bar of MFP you will be able to select the BMR calculcator where it will tell you how many calories you need to consume is you did nothing but rested for 24 hours. That might be a good indicator for yourself as to where the 1600 calories fit in for you. ...

I have 1600 calories set as my deficit calorie goal to but the weight loss is slow at that point for me ... MFP recommended I cut an additional 60-some calories a day to lose a pound a week. And of course, it is not ever a steady loss each week.

Hope this helped.

MFP gave me 1640 not that big difference

What about the extra calories for exercise that you should be entering?

I'll probably add them once I start exercising again, when I finally start classes I'll move a lot, I hate sitting all the time.

batoolnabulsi

heybales wrote: »

batoolnabulsi wrote: »

Nikion901 wrote: »

If you click on the APS link in the menu bar of MFP you will be able to select the BMR calculcator where it will tell you how many calories you need to consume is you did nothing but rested for 24 hours. That might be a good indicator for yourself as to where the 1600 calories fit in for you. ...

I have 1600 calories set as my deficit calorie goal to but the weight loss is slow at that point for me ... MFP recommended I cut an additional 60-some calories a day to lose a pound a week. And of course, it is not ever a steady loss each week.

Hope this helped.

MFP gave me 1640 not that big difference

Ya - but that's if you slept all day long - basic metabolic functions of life.

You wake up and sit around all day you'd burn more. RMR.

Actually get up and move around - more yet.

About 10% of what you eat is burned by body to process the food.

That recommendation was to see where 1600 is in the scheme of things - and it should inform you that you can eat much much more.
Shoot - 2000 is likely sedentary for you - and you aren't even sedentary actually.

You've probably got lost glucose stores in muscles that will top off - you will gain needed water weight when you eat more - and that will actually increase your metabolism to expected levels.
It's probably not right now.

I'll bet energy level will pick up too - making you yet even more active, and workouts even better.

Don't start out your adult life tied to the scale and a bad association with food and your body.
You'll regret 30-40 years of yo-yo dieting that could easily become the result of an unhealthy fixation on the scale.
I'll bet the initial water weight gain won't even make inches on your body change.
And guess which one people will see - scale or you?

Since I started maintenance, I'll try eating a little more calories and exercise, and watch my weight and measurements.

And thanks, this made me feel better.

TavistockToad

I'm eating NET 1650 to lose 1/2lb per week and i'm 5ft5 and 138lbs

try 1800 which might stop you bingeing and then you can work out if that's maintenance and tweak up or down from there based on what the scales say.

batoolnabulsi

TavistockToad wrote: »

I'm eating NET 1650 to lose 1/2lb per week and i'm 5ft5 and 138lbs

try 1800 which might stop you bingeing and then you can work out if that's maintenance and tweak up or down from there based on what the scales say.

That's what I'm planning to do, maintaining is a challenge

tahxirez

batoolnabulsi wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

The more you move, the more energy (calories) you require. Think of it like a car...if it just sits there, it doesn't really need gas...if you drive it, it will need gas...the more you drive, the more gas it needs.

I know, but I can't eat easily when I don't know what are my maintenance calories, I fear gaining weight, and I don't wanna lose either.
Even when I'm not moving alot, I still feel like eating more than 1600

You won't gain over night. And even if you go 6 weeks and see a small gain you know exactly what to do to reverse it. Just keep on trucking and don't let the panic get you

heleftthe99

I just wanted to mention that how and when you eat sugar could be affecting how hungry you feel. I know for myself, if I eat a bowl of ice cream in the evening, I will not feel that well the next day and will be walking around the house looking for snacks and feeling constantly "hungry". I usually do not feel that way with the regular calorie intake I have to lose ~1 lb/week, so I know it is the sugar (usually on an empty stomach or later in the evening). It takes 1-2 days of getting rid of the high sugar stuff to feel normal and not craving all day. Hope that can help.

batoolnabulsi

heleftthe99 wrote: »

I just wanted to mention that how and when you eat sugar could be affecting how hungry you feel. I know for myself, if I eat a bowl of ice cream in the evening, I will not feel that well the next day and will be walking around the house looking for snacks and feeling constantly "hungry". I usually do not feel that way with the regular calorie intake I have to lose ~1 lb/week, so I know it is the sugar (usually on an empty stomach or later in the evening). It takes 1-2 days of getting rid of the high sugar stuff to feel normal and not craving all day. Hope that can help.

I eat less sugar although I LOVE IT!
I got used to not eating it a lot, but I still wanna eat more other types of food

MsSGriff

Honestly, I wouldn't stress too much. I'm your height and was probably very close to your weight when I was 19. At 19, I could eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, and I didn't gain weight. I also had a physically demanding job...on my feet 10 hours a day with maybe a 30 min break if I was lucky. Listen to your body and don't stress about it. Eat a treat hear and there if you want. You can also eat high fiber foods like green beans, squash, raspberries, blackberries, mushrooms, etc if you are still hungry, but want to avoid more calories. Also make sure you drink enough water. There are a lot of opinions on how much is enough, but I've been told half your body weight in ounces of water a day. I drink around 80 ounces to a gallon of water a day. As you grow older, you will have to listen to your body and reassess. It may be that as you age your body will want to store more weight, and you'll have to cut out some treats to stay as fit as you want. Enjoy now while you can is my advice. I want to lose weight, so I am at 1300 calories without exercising and 1824 with exercise. I'm also trying to lose it slowly, so it'll be easier to keep it off. If you are feeling hungry and you are drinking enough water, you may want to try increasing your protein intake. Women should have 4 to 6 ounces of protein at every meal...If it is prepackaged meal, shoot for about 15g of protein. High protein snacks will help too.

RogerToo

batoolnabulsi wrote: »

I finally decided to maintain my weight at 121 lbs, height 5'3 ft, 19 years old, sometimes I feel like 1600 calories are not enough, many TDEE calculators gave me 1500-1600ish,but it's not enough:// like there's not enough space for food and it sucks, I don't eat junk food and I try to get my nutrition , still not satisfied. I've gone through 3 days binging this week and the week before, although I was in a deficit before the binging but I'm sure I ate all of those calories back and more, but didn't notice a difference in my weight, I don't judge from the scale because I know I'll have extra pounds from water, sodium.. Etc
I judge from my clothes and the mirror, still the same, recently I'm not active, but after a week I'll start working out again 2-3 days a week besides I'll have classes 4 days a week.

So what do you think, I need some guiding.

Hi
I use a very simple approach, some might say simplistic approach

If at 1800 calories I am losing still losing weight then I need to increase the caloric intake.
If at 1800 calories I am Gaining weight I am eating too much.
Using that approach I came to the point where 2000 calories +/- a few calories holds my weight.

FWIW I believe that Water weight changes will only occur if You have a large swing in Sodium intake for example. I also Notice that I hold water if I eat a lot of sweet calories.

Good Luck
Roger

batoolnabulsi

RogerToo wrote: »

batoolnabulsi wrote: »

I finally decided to maintain my weight at 121 lbs, height 5'3 ft, 19 years old, sometimes I feel like 1600 calories are not enough, many TDEE calculators gave me 1500-1600ish,but it's not enough:// like there's not enough space for food and it sucks, I don't eat junk food and I try to get my nutrition , still not satisfied. I've gone through 3 days binging this week and the week before, although I was in a deficit before the binging but I'm sure I ate all of those calories back and more, but didn't notice a difference in my weight, I don't judge from the scale because I know I'll have extra pounds from water, sodium.. Etc
I judge from my clothes and the mirror, still the same, recently I'm not active, but after a week I'll start working out again 2-3 days a week besides I'll have classes 4 days a week.

So what do you think, I need some guiding.

Hi
I use a very simple approach, some might say simplistic approach

If at 1800 calories I am losing still losing weight then I need to increase the caloric intake.
If at 1800 calories I am Gaining weight I am eating too much.
Using that approach I came to the point where 2000 calories +/- a few calories holds my weight.

FWIW I believe that Water weight changes will only occur if You have a large swing in Sodium intake for example. I also Notice that I hold water if I eat a lot of sweet calories.

Good Luck
Roger

Thanks(: