New to MFP.

mvinicky · January 2012

Hey Guys! So, I'm on my 7th day of calorie counting. I'm on a 1,200 Net Calorie Count. I don't really work out. My MFP is on 'Sedentary'. I was wondering if it was still able to to lose weight without really working out? I am aiming to drop my fat %. I'm at 125 pounds. I don't really know how much weight I want to lose but I want to get down to about a 14% Fat %. I am currently at a ~20% (Using a online calculator, I know these aren't extremely accurate).

So I was just wondering if Calorie Counting would really do anything without any REAL form of exercise, and if it is possible to drop my fat %?

Fitness Newbie here

Thanks guys.

Gshields42 · January 2012

As long as you are following a proper diet, you can lose weight without the exercise. One of the popular saying around here, though, is that if you want to lose weight diet, if you want to look good exercise.

Is the 1200 calories what MFP suggested for you? You really don't want to be too aggressive with dieting for health and metabolism reasons.

mvinicky · January 2012

Yes, it is what MFP suggested for me.

kbanzhaf · January 2012

How tall are you? Using cross-multiplication, this would figure out to weighing less than 88 pounds to be at 14% body fat. Not sure that is healthy for ANY adult.
Reducing your perception of body fat is all fine and well -- becoming more toned -- but this appears to me to be on the borderline of an eating disorder and unhealthy body weight.
Kaye

LisaWixom · January 2012

MFP has me on 1300 and I am doing fine. Not starving or anything. But I have ALOT to lose lol. 60lbs left. I definately think if you stick to the calories even without excericse it will come off. Even when you workout MFP just addds the calories back in so you can eat them. If I want something I just hit the gym longer so I burn the calories and can eat them lol.

psuLemon · January 2012

It will be very difficult to lose body fat without exercising at that weight. If anything, you need to workout and eat at your maintenance calories so you can do body recomposition. Also, i wouldn't trust an online calculator but rather get someone do to a BF % test with calipers.

Recomposition takes work, so if you aren't willing to put the work, dont' expect the results.

mvinicky · January 2012

Well, I guess I should note I don't really know what I'm talking about, but you could probably gather that. I'm 5'5, I was just wondering if calorie counting would actually help me lose a few pounds. I don't want to be at 14% if it's unhealthy for me - that's just a number a friend told me would be good. I don't know. TBH I just want to lose a bit of weight so I look better in a bikini, and I don't have much of an idea as to how much I'd like to lose etc, but I guess exercise would be more beneficial. Although, I have absolutely no idea where to start there either. I've never really been one to make an effort to go to the gym.

I just wanted to know if Calorie Counting was really worth it for me or not.

kbanzhaf · January 2012

At 5'5", 125 pounds is a healthy weight. You are probably wanting to tone. Lift weights, do cardio, etc., but don't focus on weight loss as much as reshaping your body. Be as active as you can -- walk or bike instead of drive, swim, etc.

mvinicky · January 2012

It will be very difficult to lose body fat without exercising at that weight. If anything, you need to workout and eat at your maintenance calories so you can do body recomposition. Also, i wouldn't trust an online calculator but rather get someone do to a BF % test with calipers.

Recomposition takes work, so if you aren't willing to put the work, dont' expect the results.

Yeah, I just did the online thing to get a very general number. I was planning on getting someone to do an actual test. And I am willing to put in the work, I guess I was just wondering if I really had to exercise. I mean, I exercise but I find it EXTREMELY hard to keep myself motivated. Like, I'll start working out etc (formally) one week, and then stop the next, pick it up again and drop it etc.

mvinicky · January 2012

Alright - well I guess I made myself seem a bit daft. Thank you guys for all the responses.

Since I guess getting into a routine of exercising is the best option (I, as I mentioned, don't really do exercise routinely, more sporadically) do you guys have any tips? I really do not want to go to the gym if I do not have to. I'd rather do things at home, due to a variety of reasons. If joining a gym would be the best thing to do however, I will do it.

psuLemon · January 2012

Alright - well I guess I made myself seem a bit daft. Thank you guys for all the responses.

Since I guess getting into a routine of exercising is the best option (I, as I mentioned, don't really do exercise routinely, more sporadically) do you guys have any tips? I really do not want to go to the gym if I do not have to. I'd rather do things at home, due to a variety of reasons. If joining a gym would be the best thing to do however, I will do it.

Find something you like, weather it's zumba or hot yoga or P90X, or swimming, etc... You are at a healthy body weight and if anything you need to tone. First of all, set your caloric goal to .5 lb per week or even at maintenance. You are better off doing some recomposition and possible gain a few lbs so you can add lean muscle mass. Sounds counter intuitive but here is my answer to that (link below).

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/392784-skinny-fat-vs-fit-photo

mvinicky · January 2012

I actually do have P90X. Would you recommend doing the WHOLE program? Or I don't know.

And thanks very much for your input.

psuLemon · January 2012

I actually do have P90X. Would you recommend doing the WHOLE program? Or I don't know.

And thanks very much for your input.

P90X will get you were you want if you eat correctly. You burn a ton of calories with that program so you are required to eat a lot. Do me a favor, use the BMR tool up top and post the results. I can show you what you need to consume to get the best results from the program.

And 14% body fat is essential fat on woman, you are better off around 16-18%

mvinicky · January 2012

I actually do have P90X. Would you recommend doing the WHOLE program? Or I don't know.

And thanks very much for your input.

P90X will get you were you want if you eat correctly. You burn a ton of calories with that program so you are required to eat a lot. Do me a favor, use the BMR tool up top and post the results. I can show you what you need to consume to get the best results from the program.

And 14% body fat is essential fat on woman, you are better off around 16-18%

"Your estimated BMR is: 1,348 calories/day*"

I really do appreciate all your help, thank you.

psuLemon · January 2012

I actually do have P90X. Would you recommend doing the WHOLE program? Or I don't know.

And thanks very much for your input.

P90X will get you were you want if you eat correctly. You burn a ton of calories with that program so you are required to eat a lot. Do me a favor, use the BMR tool up top and post the results. I can show you what you need to consume to get the best results from the program.

And 14% body fat is essential fat on woman, you are better off around 16-18%

"Your estimated BMR is: 1,348 calories/day*"

I really do appreciate all your help, thank you.

Based on that, using katch mcardle formula, I would consider you moderately active to very active.

TDEE = 1348*1.55 = 2089
Caloric Needs = 2089 -250 = 1839.

I would look to eat 1800 calories a day and NOT eat back exercise calories. This would include eating those calories on days you don't work out as the deficit is built into the weekly equation. Monitor this for a month. If you lose weight, then you are good were you are. If you don't lose, then increase your calories by 200 calories. If you consistently gain each week then decrease by 200 calories. It's a journey so it takes time to learn your bodies needs.

New to MFP.

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