We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Is my deficit too much?

laohare
laohare Posts: 2 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I've recently restarted MFP with a 1200 target, and am exercising. Over the week, I've been eating on average 1500, but with the exercise, the net is about 900. I don't feel hungry, am eating nutritious 3 meals a day and some healthy snacks. I'm 5ft8, 207. Is this net too low...i don't particularly want to eat more in a normal day.

Replies

  • tannic2k7
    tannic2k7 Posts: 41 Member
    I would say as long as your body isn't showing signs that you're not eating enough you're fine. If you start going harder exercises then you might need to eat more.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Ideally you should be netting 1200 calories. But since exercise calories can often be overestimated, many people will only eat back 50% of those back, which is pretty much what you're doing. If you do start feeling hungrier or lose too quickly (outside of the initial water weight loss), then eat a little more.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    edited January 2017
    It's too low. How are you measuring your food though? If not with a scale, you could easily be netting 1200 anyway.
  • laohare
    laohare Posts: 2 Member
    Will move to being a bit more diligent with weighing...I do it with dry pasta and the like, but had been using cup for oatmeal. When bulk preparing soups I typically weigh things like potatoes, but just count things like carrots.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    I eat 100s of calories in vegetables per day. Oatmeal should be weighed for sure. Calorie dense things like peanut butter, avocado, cheese, etc...important.
  • jamacianredhair
    jamacianredhair Posts: 230 Member
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    It's too low. How are you measuring your food though? If not with a scale, you could easily be netting 1200 anyway.

    I find most people that work out hard and are "under" their calorie goal are not logging accurately.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    jamacianredhair wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    It's too low. How are you measuring your food though? If not with a scale, you could easily be netting 1200 anyway.

    I find most people that work out hard and are "under" their calorie goal are not logging accurately.

    I agree actually. I'm just suggesting tightening up logging and being aware of that, to be more accurate. It will be beneficial in the long run.
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    laohare wrote: »
    I've recently restarted MFP with a 1200 target, and am exercising. Over the week, I've been eating on average 1500, but with the exercise, the net is about 900. I don't feel hungry, am eating nutritious 3 meals a day and some healthy snacks. I'm 5ft8, 207. Is this net too low...i don't particularly want to eat more in a normal day.

    You'll know if the amount your are eating is too little due to lethargy, general grogginess and increased hunger.
  • tannic2k7
    tannic2k7 Posts: 41 Member
    jamacianredhair wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    It's too low. How are you measuring your food though? If not with a scale, you could easily be netting 1200 anyway.

    I find most people that work out hard and are "under" their calorie goal are not logging accurately.

    One of the main reason why I stick to packaged snacks and stuff I can track.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories