So you really just need a calorie deficit?

freshmama06
freshmama06 Posts: 36 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Correct?

As long as you're eating at or below your recommended calories you're good?

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    For weight loss? Yes. That's all you need.

    Obviously we still have nutritional needs that we need to meet, but that would be true whether you're trying to lose weight or not.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    yep
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    Yes. Isn't that amazing?!!!
  • cs2thecox
    cs2thecox Posts: 533 Member
    Basically yes, but the calories recommended by MFP may not be right, depending what your goals are.

    Also, how and when you choose to get those calories will have a big impact on how you feel.
    For example, eating ALL of them in chocolate in a single sitting would probably make you feel pretty ill, and not wanting to do much.
    But getting them through a well balanced and healthy diet and spread well throughout the day will probably help you feel more full and energized.

    I was taught that as a VERY basic rule, divide your daily calories by 3 - you want about 1/3 calories from carbs, 1/3 from protein and 1/3 from fats. You should be able to set macro goals by percentage on here, even in free version. I feel SO much better for getting a good macro balance rather than just hitting calories that I find it worth the hassle of counting.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    freshmama06 wrote: »
    Correct?

    As long as you're eating at or below your recommended calories you're good?

    Yes. Just remember sometimes calorie calculators are off so try a certain number and if after maybe three weeks it doesn't help even a little and you don't even lose 1/4 to 1/2 lb then lower your calorie goal. If you're losing then keep it up until you hit a road block and adjust accordingly by adding exercise or lowering your goal. Just keep it at least at 1200 and you're good to go. :) you can eat any kind of food you want in moderation if your goal is just weight loss
  • fitmom4lifemfp
    fitmom4lifemfp Posts: 1,572 Member
    freshmama06 wrote: »
    Correct?

    As long as you're eating at or below your recommended calories you're good?

    As long as you are eating at a deficit...you will lose. That should be pretty much a no-brainer. However, "recommended calories" is a varying number for different people. You may have to float around a bit to find what works for you.
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    freshmama06 wrote: »
    Correct?

    As long as you're eating at or below your recommended calories you're good?

    No, if that's all you are doing you aren't "good" at all. Yes, you will lose weight doing that, but you still need to exercise for your health. Plus, you'll find yourself eating nothing but rabbit food if you eat at a deficit without exercise.
  • clicketykeys
    clicketykeys Posts: 6,594 Member
    And here I thought "all you need is love!" ;)
  • freshmama06
    freshmama06 Posts: 36 Member
    Ok. Thanks. So far I've lost 24 lb. I have about 6lbs to go to get my goal.

    I just had a grande non fat no whip hazelnut latte and a blueberry muffin. (Grand total about 560 cal) and I wanted to make sure I had my info correct.
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