am i set up correctly?

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hello. ive been at this since mid jan and MFP put me on 1200 cal. starting weight was 85kg and im currently 80.1kg. now im a sedentary because im a student. i burn at least 300cal each workout session with a mix of cardio and weights, at least 4 days a week. im losing only 500gr every two weeks (1lbs). is there anything i can be doing differently to make me lose a bit more? a loss is a loss dont get me wrong, but seeing the scale go down that small amount is disheartening. my measurements havent changed much either, maybe an inch. 99% of the time im under my limit and i eat back half of my earned cals.

am i on the wrong cal intake? anyone recommend some different exercises that might work? i dont have the money to go to the gym but im willing to try most things!

Replies

  • onedayillbethin
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    I would keep going with the 1200, but try to get a bit more exercise in and since you're trying to lose more, don't eat your exercise back.
    Good luck!
  • delilah47
    delilah47 Posts: 1,658
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    click on "goals" and "change goals" then choose 1.5 or 2 pounds per week you want to lose. the calories and the rest should adjust to reflect that choice
  • da_sammit
    da_sammit Posts: 238 Member
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    the goal i have chosen does say 2lbs per week. but im only losing 1lb per 2wks.. thats where the 1200 comes from.
  • da_sammit
    da_sammit Posts: 238 Member
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    anyone?
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
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    Wait...how many times do you work out a week?
  • cmusgrave0414
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    I am in the same boat as you. Mine is set up for me to lose 2lbs a week but I dont. My calories are set at 1380 before I exercise. I usually eat right around my goal and will eat back some calories that I earn from exercising. I know that ina typical day without exercising I burn 2300-2400 cal because I used to have a Bodybugg. So I know that the 1380 would be a right number but I dont much either. I dont get it........hopefully some people will have some really good suggestions for you to use so that I can apply them as well.
  • da_sammit
    da_sammit Posts: 238 Member
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    usually 4-5 days. i travel a lot on the wkends and it changes. if i dont travel its more like 5-6. if i do travel its usually 4-5.
  • MonkeyFlower
    MonkeyFlower Posts: 92 Member
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    I posted a really similar thread this morning but i have been reading a lot of stuff on here about increasing your calories to loose more ...especially if you don’t have too much to go? wish i could be of more help but dont have a great understanding myself yet!
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,554 Member
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    I wouldn't drop your calories, they are already pretty low for your weight. (When I started at around 92kg I was eating about 1600 cals plus exercise cals - that was for a setting of "lose 1/12 pound per week" but I lost faster than that initially).

    Keep doing what you're doing, give it more time. I know its frustrating to lose weight slowly, but you've done really well so far - keep it up!
  • da_sammit
    da_sammit Posts: 238 Member
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    oh no! i didnt want to DROP them!!! i was seeing wether it was worth raising them!! to maybe 1380 or something..
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
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    Personally, I have mine set for maintenance. Therefore I know exactly what my deficit is at the end of the day. It makes more sense to me.

    Oh and it allows me to have a "maintenance" day once a week. Which I desperately need every now and then.
  • bluefairy1
    bluefairy1 Posts: 16 Member
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    It sounds to me like you are doing great! Although if you are set to low you might be holding onto extra body fat just to survive the day. Also take a look at the quality of food you eat as well as quantity. Keep in mind Im not an expert just a fellow Fitness pal :-)
  • chammich
    chammich Posts: 104 Member
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    Raise them up a couple hundred. I had mine low too and then when I ate more I started losing weight. At least try. Won't hurt anything.
  • Starla_
    Starla_ Posts: 349
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    set your goal to lose 1lb a week, eat the extra cals
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
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    usually 4-5 days. i travel a lot on the wkends and it changes. if i dont travel its more like 5-6. if i do travel its usually 4-5.

    you arent sedentary.

    You are moderately active.

    Redo your numbers on another website like Fat to Fit tools and start over on higher calories.
    Check my page for the link.
  • da_sammit
    da_sammit Posts: 238 Member
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    when im not working out, im sitting down.. i thought that would make me sedentary??

    ive upped cals to 1380 and ill see how that goes for a month or two.. if i need to go higher, than i will.

    ive decided to focus some more on strength and toning, rather than limit all my exercise just to cardio..
  • MJ7910
    MJ7910 Posts: 1,280 Member
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    when im not working out, im sitting down.. i thought that would make me sedentary??

    ive upped cals to 1380 and ill see how that goes for a month or two.. if i need to go higher, than i will.

    ive decided to focus some more on strength and toning, rather than limit all my exercise just to cardio..

    this is a point of confusion on here... i think mfp needs to be more specific... lightly active is working out a little bit, moderately is i think 3-5 times a week, etc... if you look up on other websites they figure exercise into their calculations. for a long time i thought i was sedentery too because i have a desk job but turns out i'm not because i work out 5 times a week. i had no idea! so i adjusted my calories up and i lost more weight that way! turns out iw as slowing my metabolism down by not eating enough.