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Why don't people use MFP to set their calorie goals?

Posts: 120 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Not trying to be snarky - but everyday I see multiple posts about "how do I determine my calorie goal? Someone help me figure out how much to eat / exercise to meet my goals?"

I find these questions confusing. When I first stumbled upon MFP, it was obvious that I could put in my stats and MFP would help calculate & track this. Yet so many on the Forums seem completely unaware of this.

Maybe someone can help me understand - why don't you take advantage of the MFP calorie goal and tracking? Does MFP need to draw more attention to those features so people know they exist? Do you see the tools but not trust their accuracy? Or is there another reason people come to the MFP site and decline to use the tools they offer?

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  • Posts: 120 Member
    Congrats on your 26 lb loss! Yes, when I followed MFPs calorie goal + 75% of exercise calories, I always lost weight at the expected rate. Still works in maintenance too.

    The tricky part is actually following those goals - LOL.
    I can attest that from 260-234 I lost and average of 2 lbs a week following the MFP allotments +/-200 calories a day with bad cheat days here and there without factoring in any steps or exercise extras.

    I take them as a guideline and do the best I can to hit the targets.

  • Unknown
    edited September 2017
    This content has been removed.
  • Posts: 10,330 Member
    filbo132 wrote: »

    It doesn't which is why I state that the only way to find out is by trial and error. You could use the mfp calculator or your own number as a starting point, it doesn't really matter. As long as you adjust if your objectives are not met after 2-3 weeks.

    Yes, I completely agree. It's just something newbies need not worry about for a while. If entering stats and pressing a button is complicated enough, worrying about calculating adjustments would be an overkill for someone who is already overwhelmed.
  • Posts: 2,212 Member
    This. Or someone asking you how many calories they've burned
  • Posts: 10,330 Member
    SimplyAdia wrote: »

    This. MFP gave me 2700 calories and I'm still questioning it. BUt this week I'm going to try and hit those calories. I keep trying to hit macros and it's not working for me. So I'm going to focus on hitting those calories and see if it makes a difference in 30 days.

    I'm curious, is this after exercise adjustment or do you have a very active job?
  • Posts: 120 Member
    edited September 2017
    SimplyAdia wrote: »

    This. MFP gave me 2700 calories and I'm still questioning it. BUt this week I'm going to try and hit those calories. I keep trying to hit macros and it's not working for me. So I'm going to focus on hitting those calories and see if it makes a difference in 30 days.

    But...you took the time to go enter your stats and get a starting calorie goal. You're tracking and monitoring, and will adjust in 30 days as needed. That's taking ownership of the process! :-)
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