Maintenance calories is this amount for real?
Sharon009
Posts: 327 Member
I'm on maintenance now and it seems the calories assigned by MFP are too much, well coupled with exercise calories that is. I'm 5'4" 126lbs. Its says I need 1500 to maintain which I think is enough even without exercise. But with exercise I'll be eating around 1800 to 1900 per day, does that sound like too much? Is there anyone on maintenance that is following MFP's advice and still maintaining?
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Replies
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No, that doesn't seem especially high. You didn't say your age, but I guessed 25. The BMR calculator says:
"Your estimated BMR is: 1,302 calories/day"
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator
That's how much your body uses just to stay alive with absolutely zero movement. Even if you have a sedentary life, that would mean 1562 calories for maintenance (1302 times an activity factor of 1.2 for sedentary).
Try it for a few weeks and see how it works. Then adjust as necessary.0 -
I maintain by eating 2200 calories before I exercise, 2600-2700 with0
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LOL no I'm not 25. Thanks for the info. I'm 45, is the info still correct?0
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I did MFP's recommended maintenance calorie level for one month to take a break, and I didn't gain any weight. In fact I think I dropped a half of a pound. So I think their calculations are pretty decent.
I thought they felt pretty low myself though
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really glad to read that there is a BMR calculator and that people understand that our bodies need a certain amount of calories to maintain life. i used a different calorie counter and people were netting out at 800 cals daily. especially for women that is way too low.0
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Sound kinda low. I am 4'11" and my maintenance is 1670 without exercise calories0
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My Maintenance is 3000 calories. So .... judging by your height, weight and age, 1800-2000 seems optimum
even up to 2200 calories if you exercise daily, so to answer your question, no it is not high.0 -
I just figured it for you and your BMR is 1202. 45 y of age, 5'4", and 126.
Your BRM is lower because of your age. Mine is a tad lower than yours and I'm 5'7", 46, and 135.
Two other sites show your BRM at 1284, and 1294.0 -
That seems very low actually- don't be surprised if you can eat more.
I am same height as u but 119 lb and eat about 1600/1700 + exercise cals to maintain
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Maintenance for me with no exercise is like 2200 and I'm 5'8'' and 209 lbs. So I would say that's probably fairly accurate.0
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I'm 5' 1", 42 years old and they give me 1540 for maintenance at 146 pounds (sedentary activity setting and without exercise calories)0
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I'm in maintenance mode at 1580 cals a day. I'm 5'3" and 134lbs and 22% body fat (calipers).0
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LOL no I'm not 25. Thanks for the info. I'm 45, is the info still correct?
Looking good!
The equation for BMR reduces with age, because on average people become less lean with age and muscle uses calories faster than fat.
Your estimated BMR is: 1,217 calories/day.
With an activity factor of 1.2 (sedentary), that's a maintenance of 1460.
With an activity factor of 1.35 (lightly active), maintenance is 1673.0 -
I'm 41, 5ft 1 & 125 lbs and my "lose .5lb./wk" setting has me close to 1350 calories a day so on my workout days, my goal is always between 1700-2000 cals.0
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LOL no I'm not 25. Thanks for the info. I'm 45, is the info still correct?
I would have guessed 25 too!0 -
My maintenance calories are 1700 I think. With exercise I feel it is to high for me.
I instead leave mine set for a .5lb a week lose and eat back all my calories.
I wish I could eat 2000+ calories a day with or without exercise! But I seem to gain if I eat at maintenance. However it may have to do with going over my calories on the weekend.0 -
I would say MFP's maintenance estimate is pretty accurate. I have been on maintenance for about 8 weeks and often eat over (although still relatively healthily) and have kept the same weight. I also eat ALL my excercise calories back.0
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MFP set my maintenance at 1550...I maintain at much higher net than that, so I wouldn't be surprised.0
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With your age, height and weight accounted for I calculated a BMR of 1302, with your sedentary calories being 1562. That doesn't account for your exercise, so if you you use that number as a base, eat back your exercise calories.0
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GREAT!! THANKS EVERYBODY!0
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I'm on maintenance now and it seems the calories assigned by MFP are too much, well coupled with exercise calories that is. I'm 5'4" 126lbs. Its says I need 1500 to maintain which I think is enough even without exercise. But with exercise I'll be eating around 1800 to 1900 per day, does that sound like too much? Is there anyone on maintenance that is following MFP's advice and still maintaining?
No it doesn't sound like to much, it actually sounds low. depending on what your calorie intake was previously I would increase the calories by about 200-300 per day and keep it there for a few weeks.... see how your body is doing. adjust a few 100 either direction and you will find the sweet spot for your body and lifestyle.
it's really easy to add those calories without feeling like you've lost control, handful of Nuts , extra protein bar, larger portion of protein at dinner, add a few extra slices for lunch meat on your sandwich0 -
No that doesn't sound too much, If anything it sounds a little low (based on the "average" woman recommended approx 2000 a day)
Also, my maintenance is around 2300-2400 before exercise cals. I'm 21, 5'8 and 145lbs.0 -
Does not sound the least bit odd. Have a look at this thread http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/541653-poll-what-is-your-tdee0
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BMR is not maintenance though, BMR is like what you would burn asleep in bed all day, or in a coma.I just figured it for you and your BMR is 1202. 45 y of age, 5'4", and 126.
Your BRM is lower because of your age. Mine is a tad lower than yours and I'm 5'7", 46, and 135.
Two other sites show your BRM at 1284, and 1294.
I am 5'4" and 112 pounds and maintenance for me is 1490, but I upped my calories to follow the NROL4W guidelines and it is 1800 on rest days and 2000 on lifting days. We'll see how it goes... I am not trying to lose, just tone up and get stronger.0 -
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Particularly the table on the second page - it states average calorie consumption needed to maintain weight if your BMI is within 18 - 24.99 based on height, life style, sex and age.0 -
I'm 44, 5'4 and 122 and losing (slowly) on about 1900-2K cals/day. I do exercise, however. 0
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I'm 39, 5'5 and 130#, and was still losing at 1700+ exercise calories. I bumped it up to 1800+ a few weeks ago. Total of 1900-2200 most days.0
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My actual maintenance calories are a good 300 calories HIGHER than MFP says they are (2300 is maintenance for me but MFP says it's only 2000).0
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i'm the same height and ~120 lb.I'm on maintenance now and it seems the calories assigned by MFP are too much, well coupled with exercise calories that is. I'm 5'4" 126lbs. Its says I need 1500 to maintain which I think is enough even without exercise. But with exercise I'll be eating around 1800 to 1900 per day, does that sound like too much? Is there anyone on maintenance that is following MFP's advice and still maintaining?
i'm maintaining by netting about 1840. yesterday i had 2200 cals and today i have so far had only 1488.
i wish i had MORE calories. i'd be really hungry if i was consistently only having 1500 :indifferent:0
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