Confusion.. Getting mixed messages about calories

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  • joyfulsoul81
    joyfulsoul81 Posts: 1 Member
    edited June 2017
    joyfulsoul06 wrote: »
    My doctor gave me the 800-1200 guidelines for no other reason than that's what they put people on who are part of their packaged meal weight loss program at their office.

    As for any health conditions warranting such a rapid loss.. there aren't any. I've often surprised my own doctors by how "normal" everything always is. No high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, etc.. nothing like that whatesoever.

    I have pain from being so overweight for so long, but aside from that, I have no other issues from my weight. That being said, I'm also well aware that all of that could change any time. That's a big factor in my wanting to get control of my weight and my health.

    I've struggled with trying to get in the mindset to do this in a healthy way, taking it slower and making sustainable changes. I'm not looking for anyone to validate what my doctor said for me to do. I tried that, and it was definitely NOT the right way to go. I know that's not the answer. I guess what I really needed more than anything, was to express where I am, and to remember that I am definitely not alone in this.

    Starting tomorrow, I'm going to do my best to stick to the calorie goals MFP sets for me, taking it slowly at 1.5 per week. At that rate, even if I choose to lower it to 1 per week down the line, I'm looking at about 2-2 1/2 years to get this off, and that's okay. I don't just want to lose this weight.. I want to finally get this right! Not perfection, just healthier and more realistic changes. I can do it, and I thank you all for helping to remind me of that!

    I've struggled for so long, with all of this. I've allowed myself to be in my own head way too much. I've set unreachable goals for myself, time and time again. And now, it's time to do this for me, in a way that works!

    Anyone who wishes to add me, is more than welcome to! :)

    I have restarted this morning with healthier goals, and made this new account.. to sort of be a "fresh start" with it all. As I said yesterday, feel free to add me!
  • xmichaelyx
    xmichaelyx Posts: 883 Member
    joyfulsoul06 wrote: »
    I am so confused about what guidelines to go by.

    I get why it's confusing, but believe me when I say that you're overthinking this incredibly easy process.

    Here's all you need to do:

    Pick a number. Eat the much. Adjust every 3-4 weeks as needed. Within 3 months you'll know precisely what your number is and you'll be well on your way to your goal.

  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    edited June 2017
    A new perspective might be in order. You want to lose quickly, but by trying to lose quickly you end up prolonging the time it takes to reach your goal by regaining.

    Your doctor has no idea how calories work. There is no way you will gain on 1600 calories. I started where you started and the only consecutive weeks where my calories did not average to more than 1600 a day were weeks when I was entirely bedridden and I didn't gain.

    Last month I lost exactly as planned, and this is what my calories and weight looked like (weight is in kilograms). You will see quite a few days over 1600 calories and I did not gain. My average daily deficit was 600 calories.

    2x552hv4er24.png
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