How many calories does everyone eat a day?

amitch17 · December 2011

I am on medication that makes it hard for me to even eat 900 calories a day.
Im 268 pounds so I dont think i need as much, i also dont do very much activity wise.
I was just wondering what was the optimal calorie intake for you to be successful, and if you had to experiment with different amounts to find what worked for your body before loosing the weight most effectivley.

JennieAL · December 2011

I'm eating 1300 per day which is a 20% calorie deficit for me. I'm 35, 5'7" and weigh 128 right now. My goal weight is around 118 or so... not sure anymore. The 1300 per day seems to be working for me.

KokomoJoe · December 2011

I eat over 2,000 which is a deficit for me.

BobbyClerici · December 2011

Right around 3000

I need more than most to account for high activity and muscle building.
I've lost over 60 lbs with 15 more to go!

Kimbers70 · December 2011

1960 but I hardly ever eat them all, usually around 1800

theunimpossible · December 2011

I eat about 1500 - 1800.
With excercise, I can usually make my calorie goal of 1200

M3CH4N1C · December 2011

Generally 1600, but I can eat as much as I want usually and not gain a pound

2Bgoddess · December 2011

mine really ranges from 800 - 1400 depending on the day, mostly tho, under 1000. (before anyone slams me, I am on a doctor supervised diet, I eat more on exercise days, listening to my body etc...)

all very individual, keep that in mind.

gmann1973 · December 2011

when bulking around 3500-4000cals cutting(which Im doing now) 2200

stephabef · December 2011

I've been netting between 1400-1600 lately. A month ago, I was netting 1200. I have a weigh in on Tuesday, so I guess I'll see how it's been going for me!

echoica · December 2011

My target is set at 1600 but I aim for around 1200-1400 as my level of exercise is really inconsistent

I have lost these 41lbs in the past 7 weeks doing this but I am over 300lbs so naturally I would lose more faster...

mcptsr1 · December 2011

I eat around 1200-1500 max. Plus I exercise all of the time. I am a personal trainer and group ex. instructor. I don't really count the exercise calories burned as high as this site calculates, nor do I like the idea that they are counting my non starchy veggies as calories against my totals. You have to know your own body and how it reacts! Dont count so much on the exercise to burn the excess calories. Eat enough(and healthy) and you should be fine. I am hypothyroid as well, so it takes me much longer to lose. I am 127 now and holding my weight with eating no more than 1500. I can lose on 1200. You need 1200 minimum to run the body's every day functioning. The calories you pick should be full of nutrients and fiber whenever possible. You will be fine, Just don"t under eat!

chevy88grl · December 2011

Right now I am around 145lbs and maintaining - I currently consume 2300-2500 net calories a day. At the beginning of the year, I'm going to try and lose at least another 5-10lbs (or so). I plan to drop to around 2100-2200 net a day.

Iamfit4life · December 2011

I net between 1200 and 1800 depending on if I could make it to the gym.

rblair_22 · December 2011

I'm supposed to eat 1400 calories a day. Before exercising, I very rarely ate this much, I would try to stay over 1200 but under 1400. Since I started exercising, I'm going by the net calories, so I will eat about 1450 cal's but with my exercise, my net calories are around 1150-1250 range. A lot of times it depends on if I'm still hungry as to whether I add calories by having a glass of milk before bed.

BarbWhite09 · December 2011

I'm at 1200 a day. Sometimes I eat bout 1300 though & still lose. I'm 5'3 & 144ish

BobbyClerici · December 2011

when bulking around 3500-4000cals cutting(which Im doing now) 2200

I am an expert on "bulking" - lol

HeidiMightyRawr · December 2011

At the moment, 2800 net to build muscle / gain weight.

When I'm cutting it will be about 2100 net. My maintenance is approx. 2400.

CashierCantin · December 2011

I'm still holding at 1200. Some days its enough, some days I am hungrier so I go over. I've lost 18 pounds in 2 months so I guess its working. Will add more in after the holidays...I want to lose a few more before the holidays and surprise my parents. They don't know how much I've lost and we haven't seen each other since the beginning of August.

MaraDiaz · December 2011

X + 1200 where X equals however many I burned off exercising that day. (Give or take an oopsie day here and there!)

DesertSunsetRain · December 2011

I know you say that your medication is making it difficult to eat a lot, but the more you weigh the more calories you need. Not to say that you will need 4000 or something, but probably at least 1500. If you start starving yourself (anything under than your BMR) your metabolism will slow down to adjust and your weight loss will either stop or be verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry slow. In a few months you'll be wondering why you're only eating 900 calories and not losing any weight.

aippolito1 · December 2011

Easy way to make it to 1200 lbs is a banana and PB. banana = 100 calories, 2 tbsp pb = 190-210. ta-da. it's not hard. sneak it in as a snack between breakfast and lunch, before a workout, whenever.

My base is 1370 and I try to eat most of my exercise calories. Today I'm at almost to a net of 1200. Total is 1604, but I worked out and had to subtract calories for work.

Crystal_Pistol · December 2011

I am on medication

Not judging but giving you personal experience:

Don't know what kind of meds, but if it is diet meds (like phentermine)- save yourself some heartache and get off. I got desparate once and took it for 2 months. Lost TONS of weight, but I believe it ate holes in all of my muscle. I was never a flabby person, but after the rebound gain, I developed a "gut." NOT cute.

If you're on stimulant based meds for any behavioral health reasons (for ex. Ritalin), you should really find a way to get calories in. I am a PROFESSIONAL EATER and believe there is always a way to add calories to your diet. 1 cup frozen banana slices, 1.5 culps skim milk, 2 scoops chocolate protein power= high calorie meal that tastes like a milkshake. I ate 750 cals at breakfast one day. Not that I should have, but I ate 3500 calories yesterday without breaking a sweat. It was my "day off."

To answer your original question, my base calorie goal is 1770. If I exercise and earn more calories, I eat them too. I jokingly tell my pals that I will eat any calories they don't want to use as well.

By no means am I a preacher or believer of you "have to" do anything, but I think you *should* eat more. It's not hard. Eat a burger, a candybar- hell, eat 5 candybars!

Hope things work out for you!

vs1023 · December 2011

1600-1800/day is what I try for, but I'm very busy so sometimes I don't get to eat.

lexiwho · December 2011

I am on medication that makes it hard for me to even eat 900 calories a day.
Im 268 pounds so I dont think i need as much, i also dont do very much activity wise.

Actually, due to weighing more your body requires more calories to fuel itself. You should set up your profile and it will tell you your ideal range for your goals. I started at 280 and I believe the site gave me around 1,500 - 1,700 calories, somewhere in there. It will vary depending on your selections.

Right now, I average 1,280 - 1,380 NET calories, meaning I eat a base of 1,280 calories plus whatever exercise calories I earn for the day.