Daily calorie intake help!

genmills2001
genmills2001 Posts: 24
edited October 4 in Health and Weight Loss
So according to MFP, in order to lose 2lbs a week, I need to eat 2520 calories a day (it's high cuz I'm big fatty). I've been exercising about 500-700 calories worth per day. I've been eating 2000 calories a day and I'm not hungry unless I get stuck for long periods of time without food (like at work). If I ate what they told me to, I'd be forcing 3000-3200 calories in a day. Should I be doing this? It just seems like so much.

Replies

  • genmills2001
    genmills2001 Posts: 24
    Also with the walking and exercise biking I've been doing, my legs are definitely toning up, as well as my arms so if there is muscle loss involved, I dont know where it would be coming from.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Well. This website is designed for you to eat those calories back. It has already figured in a deficit when it gave you your daily caloric intake. However, you should do what works for YOU. Personally, I have to eat them back or my body gets grumpy. Other people find greater success with NOT eating them back. It's all about figuring out your own body.

    You can always try consuming larger calorie foods (not junk - but things like nuts) to get in the calories without overwhelming yourself with food. :)
  • TeresaWash
    TeresaWash Posts: 283
    Well, I wouldn't eat that much. It doesn't seem to work quite as easily as it sounds. I would stick with the 2000 calories and the exercise.
  • hazelmae123
    hazelmae123 Posts: 109 Member
    Everyone is different and it is best to try and monitor how your body reacts. I don't need as much food as sometimes is recommended, but I am a small frame person. But some people feel yucky with less. I judge whether the body is hungry or not feeling well. If you aren't hungry then your body is likely satiated.
  • Helenatrandom
    Helenatrandom Posts: 1,166 Member
    I'm big, too. Possibly bigger than you are, since I have a higher calorie allowance, but then, I put in for the recommended pound per week. I, too, find it hard to eat all my allowed calories most of the time, especially when I've exercised a lot.
    I don't know what we are supposed to do, but after I make sure I have gotten all the recommended protein, I only eat if I'm hungry. Yesterday that left me with 960+ calories. The day before, I had 29. Most days I have more than 500 left over. I just can't see eating if I'm not hungry. (As a matter of fact, with such a high calorie allowance, I don't understand how I ever got here... I don't think I EVER ate THAT much.... But then, I suppose I was more likely to have a second pork chop instead of more veggies or rice, so it's probably quality not quanity that did me in...)
  • genmills2001
    genmills2001 Posts: 24
    I know YOU and MOST people wouldn't eat that much, but most of you don't weigh the same as 2 people put together either :P. I'm just wondering if perhaps the BMR scale gets skewed as the weights get further up the chart. Like if it's meant to work in the range of people up to 300lbs and it would tell someone at 500 lbs to eat 16000 calories a day to maintain. It just seems off but maybe not, I don't know the science behind it.
  • genmills2001
    genmills2001 Posts: 24
    Well I never felt I ate that substantially over, but it's quality vs quantity. I could eat 2 McDonald's double cheese burgers and be at half my calories for the day. Maybe a couple slices of pizza hut stuffed crust. I'd still get hungry later because of raw volume. I can eat salad until I explode and it's like 300 calories with dressing and everything lol.
  • nacs246
    nacs246 Posts: 93 Member
    Try and keep to the goal or slightly above , especially since you working out , that MFP has set for you. MFP takes into account a few things including your deficit in order for you to lose weight.That's my opinion. I noticed with me that if i ate slightly more than my goal and exercising I began loosing my weight.
    Everyone is different so I think you have to play around with the figures to see if your weight is coming off or like Chevygirl88 says getting grumpy and holding onto it because you not giving it enough?!
  • jgic2009
    jgic2009 Posts: 531 Member
    If you are concerned with muscle loss, start lifting weights (in addition to or in place of some of the cardio) and be sure you're getting plenty of protein in your diet.
  • 1aalison
    1aalison Posts: 1
    Hi there. Im new to mfp and was wondering about eating the daily calorie allowance. I exercise every day and always have calories left to eat. Surely there is no point eating them if you're not hungry? :-)
  • genmills2001
    genmills2001 Posts: 24
    You're holding a mother f'ing lion. I'm doing whatever you tell me out of fear lol.
  • sinistertitan
    sinistertitan Posts: 603 Member
    Well. This website is designed for you to eat those calories back. It has already figured in a deficit when it gave you your daily caloric intake. However, you should do what works for YOU. Personally, I have to eat them back or my body gets grumpy. Other people find greater success with NOT eating them back. It's all about figuring out your own body.

    You can always try consuming larger calorie foods (not junk - but things like nuts) to get in the calories without overwhelming yourself with food. :)

    This......
  • sinistertitan
    sinistertitan Posts: 603 Member
    You're holding a mother f'ing lion. I'm doing whatever you tell me out of fear lol.
    LMAO! I'd be scared too.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    I know YOU and MOST people wouldn't eat that much, but most of you don't weigh the same as 2 people put together either :P. I'm just wondering if perhaps the BMR scale gets skewed as the weights get further up the chart. Like if it's meant to work in the range of people up to 300lbs and it would tell someone at 500 lbs to eat 16000 calories a day to maintain. It just seems off but maybe not, I don't know the science behind it.

    Not sure if you're referring to me or not... but, you'd be shocked to know that I maintain my weight by consuming around 2200-2500 (been closer to 2500 lately) NET calories a day. So, if I workout and I burn 600 calories, I will eat those 600 calories back to make sure I am getting all of my calories. If I consume close to 3000 net calories - I start to lose more weight. I don't like how I feel consuming that many calories, so instead of doing it to weigh less ... I stick with where I am and maintain.

    You just never know what each individual's body will want. Most people are shocked to hear how many calories I consume in a day. The theory is the smaller you are - the less you need. Well, I've learned this is most certainly NOT the case for me.

    BTW, I weigh right around 145lbs.
  • nacs246
    nacs246 Posts: 93 Member
    You're holding a mother f'ing lion. I'm doing whatever you tell me out of fear lol.

    LMAO Yes and its a real one too:tongue: .
    Read my Blog on "half a century old and taking control of my life" you will get a better understanding as to why I Love MFP and doing it the correct way.Personally I feel read and listen to the people who have done,people like Jillian Michaels ,Bill Phillips just to mention a few. Enjoy your weight loss so it becomes a lifestyle not to make it a TASK.
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