Question regarding calories

Hey guys,

I am 5'4, 186 lbs, 26 yr old female.

Not sure how many calories to eat as MFP says 1200, and other online calculators say the most extreme I should be doing is 1400.

I used to do WW Points Plus and with weekly points I think I was eating 1480 cal and losing 2 lbs a week.

I am looking to lose as much weight ASAP but also don't want to feel crappy from eating 1200.

Replies

  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,874 Member
    Kyralene wrote: »
    Hey guys,

    I am 5'4, 186 lbs, 26 yr old female.

    Not sure how many calories to eat as MFP says 1200, and other online calculators say the most extreme I should be doing is 1400.

    I used to do WW Points Plus and with weekly points I think I was eating 1480 cal and losing 2 lbs a week.

    I am looking to lose as much weight ASAP but also don't want to feel crappy from eating 1200.

    1480/2 pounds a week is probably a good level for you right now. You may want to slow that down a bit as you get closer to goal. No reason for 1200.

    As the saying here goes, whoever eats the most and still loses weight - wins!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,879 Member
    Most other calculators use the TDEE method which rolls up exercise activity into your activity level and thus you'll get a higher calorie target. MFP uses the NEAT method whereby exercise is accounted for after the fact when you log it and earn additional calories to "eat back"...so MFP's 1200 calorie target is 1200 + exercise.

    Also, many other calculators do a % cut from your estimated TDEE whereas MFP uses X Lbs per week...this may or may not match up with a calculator using a % cut from TDEE...ie you told MFP 2 Lbs per week and whatever % cut on the other calculator is maybe 1 or 1.5 Lbs per week. You have to make sure you're comparing apples to apples.
  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,992 Member
    Why do you need to lose ASAP? Why not have a reasonable goal (0.5-1 pound a week) and be able to eat more without feeling "crappy"?
  • Kyralene
    Kyralene Posts: 7 Member
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why do you need to lose ASAP? Why not have a reasonable goal (0.5-1 pound a week) and be able to eat more without feeling "crappy"?

    Because we are trying for a baby next month...
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 33,905 Member
    Kyralene wrote: »
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why do you need to lose ASAP? Why not have a reasonable goal (0.5-1 pound a week) and be able to eat more without feeling "crappy"?

    Because we are trying for a baby next month...

    Then give your body all the nutrition you can to prepare your body for growing a human.

    I wouldn't make any cuts at all if I were trying to get pregnant. Are you over-weight by a lot? You still need a hospitable environment for a fetus...which means nutrition.

  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,992 Member
    edited January 2019
    Kyralene wrote: »
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why do you need to lose ASAP? Why not have a reasonable goal (0.5-1 pound a week) and be able to eat more without feeling "crappy"?

    Because we are trying for a baby next month...

    So to echo the sentiments of the other comments after mine - nutrition should be key, not rapid weight loss. Focus on consuming a reasonable calorie goal (as mentioned above) and eat nutritious food. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lean meats (if you want) should be key to your diet. Avoid prepackaged and fast food. Make sure you are getting adequate folic acid. No alcohol. You want to have the best environment for you and your future children's health.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Kyralene wrote: »
    Hey guys,

    I am 5'4, 186 lbs, 26 yr old female.

    Not sure how many calories to eat as MFP says 1200, and other online calculators say the most extreme I should be doing is 1400.

    I used to do WW Points Plus and with weekly points I think I was eating 1480 cal and losing 2 lbs a week.

    I am looking to lose as much weight ASAP but also don't want to feel crappy from eating 1200.

    MFP is based on your height, weight, gender, age, activity level before exercise, AND your weekly weight loss goal.

    If you picked an aggressive goal you may get 1200 calories no matter what.....its a default minimum.

    Also consider, most other sites include exercise up front. MFP expects you to log it.
  • Kyralene
    Kyralene Posts: 7 Member
    Kyralene wrote: »
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why do you need to lose ASAP? Why not have a reasonable goal (0.5-1 pound a week) and be able to eat more without feeling "crappy"?

    Because we are trying for a baby next month...

    Then give your body all the nutrition you can to prepare your body for growing a human.

    I wouldn't make any cuts at all if I were trying to get pregnant. Are you over-weight by a lot? You still need a hospitable environment for a fetus...which means nutrition.

    Yes my BMI is 32
  • Kyralene
    Kyralene Posts: 7 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    Kyralene wrote: »
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why do you need to lose ASAP? Why not have a reasonable goal (0.5-1 pound a week) and be able to eat more without feeling "crappy"?

    Because we are trying for a baby next month...

    You need to either put off trying to conceive or decide you're ok with going into pregnancy overweight. You just won't lose a significant amount of weight in a month, and if you cut too many calories you might have even more difficulty.

    Also, start talking a folic acid supplement right now, if you aren't already :smile:

    I already am, and I have already lost 7 lbs...
  • Kyralene
    Kyralene Posts: 7 Member
    cathipa wrote: »
    Kyralene wrote: »
    cathipa wrote: »
    Why do you need to lose ASAP? Why not have a reasonable goal (0.5-1 pound a week) and be able to eat more without feeling "crappy"?

    Because we are trying for a baby next month...

    So to echo the sentiments of the other comments after mine - nutrition should be key, not rapid weight loss. Focus on consuming a reasonable calorie goal (as mentioned above) and eat nutritious food. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lean meats (if you want) should be key to your diet. Avoid prepackaged and fast food. Make sure you are getting adequate folic acid. No alcohol. You want to have the best environment for you and your future children's health.

    Already doing all of this thanks...
  • Tdolson4025
    Tdolson4025 Posts: 13 Member
    As part of what some of the other members already mentioned, I personally would not go on a calorie deficit that would put you losing more than 1 pound to 1.5 pounds of body fat per week. I'd say add in at least 3 cardio sessions of 300 calories burned per session a week, along with maintaining a 300-500 calorie deficit below your maintenance level and you will see consistant and steady results! 😊
  • cizzawizza
    cizzawizza Posts: 69 Member
    I understand the difficullity in getting pregnant whilst overweight. You are doing exactly the right thing by wanting to give yourself the best chance of conceiving. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to get to a goal weight before you begin. By Eating healthy and continuing to eat healthy will be the best start. I struggled for years until I discovered a book by Zita West she is a fertility specialist. She taught me the importance of eating the right things and how to understand my body. I am now a very lucky mammy of two.
    Wishing you the best xx
  • debrakgoogins
    debrakgoogins Posts: 2,034 Member
    As part of what some of the other members already mentioned, I personally would not go on a calorie deficit that would put you losing more than 1 pound to 1.5 pounds of body fat per week. I'd say add in at least 3 cardio sessions of 300 calories burned per session a week, along with maintaining a 300-500 calorie deficit below your maintenance level and you will see consistant and steady results! 😊

    Did you see that she is trying to get pregnant? Eating in a defecit while attempting to get pregnant is not the best advice.