Are my calories correct?

5'7 31 female 280 pound it's saying 1800 but other apps are saying 1400 for 2 pound lost please help lol
Answers
-
Any calculator - even fitness tracker - just gives estimates that are based on the statistically average calorie needs of similar people. Individuals differ from average.
Yes, there are several good science-based estimates for making those estimates, so different calculators may give slightly different results.
Here's the thing: Any of them should be considered just a starting estimate. We follow that starting estimate pretty closely for 4-6 weeks (whole menstrual cycle for those who have 'em). Then we compare our target weight loss rate to the average weekly weight loss rate over that whole period of multiple weeks. If we're close to the moderate, reasonable loss rate we aimed for, we're all set. If we're far off, we adjust the calorie goal and go forward with that as our new goal.
Most people are close to the calculator estimates. A few are noticeably higher or lower. A very rare few are surprisingly far off. I'm one of the weirdos: Most calculators, and my good brand/model fitness tracker (one that estimates well for others who've reported here) are off by several hundred calories daily for me, around a 25-30% discrepancy. Once I adjusted my calorie goal based on personal experience, my loss rate (and maintenance calorie needs) became quite predictable, in terms of that multi-week average.
If I were you, I wouldn't agonize over that 400 calorie difference. I'd pick one of the estimates, and start te trial period I suggested above. If you're shooting for 2 pounds a week, any calculator is giving you a goal 1000 calories per day below your current weight-maintenance calories. If you're off by 200 or so, you'll still lose weight, just a little faster or slower than expected. Worrying about that now has no answer. Starting to log and collect personal calorie-intake/weight-change data will deliver you the answer you're looking for.
Best wishes!
1 -
It's very likely that while the calorie estimate is the same the way both websites/apps handle exercise is different. In MFP you're supposed to log exercise separately and not make it part of your activity level. In other apps it commonly is. Thus first of all you need to make sure that you're comparing like for like. Secondly: what's the other app? If it's something totally rubbish, cobbled together with no care or scientific connection then I'd not trust it.
0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 398.2K Introduce Yourself
- 44.7K Getting Started
- 261K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.4K Food and Nutrition
- 47.7K Recipes
- 233K Fitness and Exercise
- 462 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.7K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.5K Motivation and Support
- 8.4K Challenges
- 1.4K Debate Club
- 96.5K Chit-Chat
- 2.6K Fun and Games
- 4.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 17 News and Announcements
- 21 MyFitnessPal Academy
- 1.5K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions