Should I let MFP adjust my calories?

UpEarly
UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
edited October 3 in Health and Weight Loss
The last couple times I've entered my weight loss, MFP has suggested reevaluating my calorie goal to adjust for my lower body weight. I let the system do it once - it adjusted my calories downward from 1770 to 1720.

This time, it wants to set my calories at 1610. I know *why* this is happening (lighter people burn fewer calories), but I don't want to adjust my calories down that low for a couple reasons!

First of all, the calorie goal of 1720 seems to be working just fine for me. I've been on MFP, with a half pound a week goal, since April 10. Technically, I should have lost about 13-14 pounds in that time. In reality, I've lost 36 pounds. I just don't see why I need to cut my calories even more when I've been consistently losing weight. I'm already at a healthy BMI, and the remaining pounds to reach my goal are just vanity pounds, so why rush or push myself?

Second... 1610 calories! Ack - I'd STARVE! Maybe low calorie plans work for some people, but not me! 110 fewer calories is a container of yogurt, an ounce of cheese, a large piece of fruit, etc. On days I exercise, I earn exercise calories and would get more to eat - but no way would 1610 be enough on a rest day.

The third reason I don't want to adjust is really sort of silly, but I don't like how MFP applies the new calorie goal to all of your historical data. If I let MFP reset my calories to 1610, it's going to look like I have habitually gone over my calories many days during my time on MFP. When actually, I've never gone over my calorie goal - not a single time. I look back over my diary entries pretty frequently, and I think seeing all that red would be really demotivating.

So... what do you think? Let MFP cut my calories or stick to what I'm doing?

Replies

  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    If what you are doing is working, then stick to it, as you know your body better than a computer program!
  • RachM
    RachM Posts: 113 Member
    I say if what you're doing if working for you, stick to it! I've been at the same calorie goal since I started and I've lost 30 pounds. (it says 19, but I reset it at one point!)
  • roncovert
    roncovert Posts: 4 Member
    If it is working, i would not worry about it! Keep it going. Congrats on the loss so far.
  • bridgettegarzonie
    bridgettegarzonie Posts: 54 Member
    I say stick to what you're doing. If you decide to change your calorie intake, I would just keep it in your head rather than having it affect all of your past diary entries. I know that's what I'm gonna do when I weigh in next week if it asks me to change.

    I agree that going back and looking at all the past entries and seeing red would be a downer!

    Keep it up! You're doing awesome! :-)
  • Jess22542
    Jess22542 Posts: 66
    Do what works for you. If you continue to see results, there is no need to adjust your calories down. If you start plateau and you aren't happy with your weight at that point, consider adjusting it down. Don't feel like you have to do the full adjustment at once. Try cutting 30-50 calories/day for a few weeks and see how that goes. Bringing it down gradually will prevent you from feeling starved. Keep up the good work!
  • Shweedog
    Shweedog Posts: 883 Member
    The less you weigh the less calories your body needs, thus MFP adjusting downward when you lose. You do have to find what works best for you though. But that is the reason it is happening. When you lose a bunch of weight you cannot continue to eat like you are still heavy.
  • MrsVagus
    MrsVagus Posts: 82
    I agree. Maybe consider it when you start to plateau. Good luck!
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    1610 is not that low though. I have mine at 1500 for 1/2 a lb loss a week and it is more than enough. Congrats on the weight loss. :)
  • shaynes14
    shaynes14 Posts: 106 Member
    I had the same thing happen so I went back and used the old calorie count. They wanted me to eat less AND exercise less. As long as it works, I am staying with the original recommendations! I never went back and looked at my diary, but that must be frustrating to see red!

    Good luck with your journey.
  • mlbazemore
    mlbazemore Posts: 252 Member
    l would let them readjust my calories especially if I was doing as well as you. I would think that if you lost weight and you were trying to lose the same amount of weight as before then your calorie intake would go up not down, interesting, I might have to look into that subject. And I don't think your last reason is silly at all because I don't like the way that MFP changes the entire history of the diary either, go figure.
  • AI1108
    AI1108 Posts: 488 Member
    Mathematically .. if its giving you 1610 for a 1/2 a week loss, I'm assuming your maintenance is 1860? which would mean that 1720 is 140 below maintenance. I don't see why that wouldn't work. If you've been seeing changes and its working, you should still see results.. maybe not as dramatic but it'll happen. Its best to be comfortable in your plan to make sure that you'll keep going.. instead of demotivating yourself. Eventually you may plateau.. so you'll have to re-evaluate when you get there but if it aint broke yet.. why fix it? Just my two cents :P
  • JNettie73
    JNettie73 Posts: 1,211 Member
    The third reason I don't want to adjust is really sort of silly, but I don't like how MFP applies the new calorie goal to all of your historical data. If I let MFP reset my calories to 1610, it's going to look like I have habitually gone over my calories many days during my time on MFP. When actually, I've never gone over my calorie goal - not a single time. I look back over my diary entries pretty frequently, and I think seeing all that red would be really demotivating.

    It sounds like you have very valid points on why you feel it is not beneficial to lower your calories for YOU! I agree with you. You have to do what works for you and what you are comfortable with doing. I just got that lower calorie message yesterday so I did it. I was looking through my diary for something and was shocked to see that I was over on so many days. I literally said to myself WTH? I know I have not been going over. At first I thought that maybe my account was hacked and someone was messing with it. Finally I realized it was the calorie adjustment. It would be nice if MFP only adjusted one day and forward now all your previous days. I think it would be nice to see how many days you did before adjusting your calories and how many calories you started with and what you ended up with.

    Keep up the great work. You are doing great!
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    If what you are doing is working, then stick to it, as you know your body better than a computer program!

    Yup.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    1610 is not that low though. I have mine at 1500 for 1/2 a lb loss a week and it is more than enough. Congrats on the weight loss. :)

    I know 1610 seems like a ton of calories to many people on MFP. I see lots of people eating fewer than 1200 calories a day. I don't know how they do it! I'm just saying 1610 is too low for *me*, personally. If I eat that few calories, I'm honestly HUNGRY (not thirsty, not bored, not mindlessly snacking).
  • firefly171717
    firefly171717 Posts: 226 Member
    I Agree with you!!!! I feel like the amount on mine is pretty low too! I look more into how much I used to eat and just try to be under it. I believe there is a setting where you can change your calorie goal. DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!!! There is no reason for you to be hungry all the time if what you are oding it working!!!

    Good Job on all the weight loss!!!!!
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    1610 isn't low for a sedentary person, but just from looking at your profile I'm guessing you are a bit more active. If it's working, it's working, don't let the computer change it. Or maybe you could try changing your settings to "active" or "very active".
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    i would NOT eat less, especially if you're losing more than MFP predicts. Your metabolism must be faster than the calculated BMR on this site which is why you're losing at a faster rate. I would continue at the pace you're going and when you're within 5 pounds of goal maybe start increasing your calories by 50-100 a week so that the weight loss slows and you have a smaller jump to make (calorie wise) once you're at your goal weight. congrats on the loss so far by the way! :)
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    Thanks for all the feedback! I think I'm going to stick with my gut instinct and leave my calories alone. Maybe if the weight loss stops or slows dramatically, I'll think about cutting back. (and of course that cut would happen right before the holiday season!) LOL
  • NovemberJune
    NovemberJune Posts: 2,525 Member
    Thanks for all the feedback! I think I'm going to stick with my gut instinct and leave my calories alone. Maybe if the weight loss stops or slows dramatically, I'll think about cutting back. (and of course that cut would happen right before the holiday season!) LOL

    I think your plan sounds great :) I'm worried that my weight loss will slow as my BMR goes down, down, down. I generally eat about 1600, but I have been trying to eat slightly less than that for the past few weeks.
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