Myfitnesspal App is leading me astray (I think)

Xanadu2012
Xanadu2012 Posts: 14 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I just started using the app because I need something to help me keep on track and to tell me what my calorie per day goal is. This app is tellig me 3740 calories a day is what I need to be doing in order to lose 2lbs a week. Does this seem right to anyone? I mean I'm confused and shocked a little.

Replies

  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    depends on how tall you are, how much you weight, the activity level you set...
    but the app should give you the same calorie information as the regular site
  • PennyNickel14
    PennyNickel14 Posts: 749 Member
    Go through the set up again just to see if you entered the wrong start weight (which I did the first time :) ). Also make sure to check your goals whether it be to gain or lose and the rate
  • c20h25n3o
    c20h25n3o Posts: 12 Member
    Did you by any chance fill in centimeters where it says inches?
    It sounds like you made a mistake with your height.
  • Cilenia
    Cilenia Posts: 208 Member
    Well judging from your profile and your other topic you made on this matter you have a lot to loose. In that topic you say you are 600lb heavy and 6 ft 6 inches. These numbers indicate that are quite heavy at the moment. (no offence) This also means that your body will need more nutrients to stay alive on then a person at a lower weight.

    If you are unsure if it is correct, try another calculator and check what that one says. To loose 2 lbs a week you take 1000 calories (500 per lb) off per day.

    And if you are really not sure, go see your doctor, im sure he or she can help you set a proper calorie goal to start loosing weight the healthy way


    Good luck!
  • shellsrenee01
    shellsrenee01 Posts: 357 Member
    I posted this on your other message:

    Looks like your current BMR (the amount of calories you burn just by being alive) is: 4563

    Then you factor in your lifestyle (did you select sedentary or one of the other options?) Depending on how active you are at work (or where you spend a majority of your waking hours), you will burn many more calories.

    So...it *sounds* like that is about right to me...:huh:

    Maybe some perspective: I'm 5'6", starting weight of 265, and I want to lose 2lbs a week. I sit at a desk all day, so my lifestyle is sedentary. My calories allowed are 1440.

    Good luck to you! It seems to be working for me, so far. I've been at it a month.
  • danielleburwell97060
    danielleburwell97060 Posts: 257 Member
    I started at 325 and was given 1800 cals so it's probably right. At larger amounts of weight to lose you can sustain higher deficits. I would also suggest consulting a dr to make sure you aren't going to cause damage or impede your efforts. But either way, this site definitely helps keep you informed on the choices you make and is a great place to be :)
  • Xanadu2012
    Xanadu2012 Posts: 14 Member
    Thanks for your replies it makes sense now. I look at that 3740 and I think it'll be easy to keep under it ESPECIALLY with this app. Do you know if the amount of caloric intake changes as you begin to lose weight on the app? Right now I'm sedentary but am soon to start swimming around 4 hours a day. I've been big all my life at around 280 in junior high to peaking around 350 in high school but my height has always kept it where it wasnt a problem. Wasnt till I lost both my parents after I turned 21 I think I went into a depression and didnt start eating badly but developed a bad habit of drinking around 16 cans or more of pop a day for years and thats where I 'blossomed' so to speak. I know with this app and website that keeping everything in check will make it so much easier to keep myself from in line.
  • k011185
    k011185 Posts: 320 Member
    Thanks for your replies it makes sense now. I look at that 3740 and I think it'll be easy to keep under it ESPECIALLY with this app. Do you know if the amount of caloric intake changes as you begin to lose weight on the app? Right now I'm sedentary but am soon to start swimming around 4 hours a day. I've been big all my life at around 280 in junior high to peaking around 350 in high school but my height has always kept it where it wasnt a problem. Wasnt till I lost both my parents after I turned 21 I think I went into a depression and didnt start eating badly but developed a bad habit of drinking around 16 cans or more of pop a day for years and thats where I 'blossomed' so to speak. I know with this app and website that keeping everything in check will make it so much easier to keep myself from in line.

    As you update your weight it will slowly decrease your daily calories.
    Good job on taking these first steps!
  • castadiva
    castadiva Posts: 2,016 Member
    Your calorie 'allowance' will automatically (gradually) decrease as your weight does, provided you record losses in the Progress section. You may also want to record measurements - sometimes when the scales don't shift for a week or so, you can find motivation and reassurance in decreasing measurements. Good luck!
  • Xanadu2012
    Xanadu2012 Posts: 14 Member
    Thanks. For the first time I feel I can start to shed these pounds. Am amazed at how a website and an app can help do so much and am looking forward to it. I wonder if I should take a before picture now so I can have a nice after picture later ; )
  • Anthn3y
    Anthn3y Posts: 1
    Perhaps height & weight has something to do with it, at 240 lbs, and 5'11, mine says in order to lose 2 lbs a week
    my calories would be 1810 a day. this is a pretty good app, noticed I was eating a lot of foods, that where
    high in calories, especially the snacks and soda's, this alone has helped me tremendously, just started
    walking 4 weeks ago, along with other workout routines.
    hope this helps!
  • castadiva
    castadiva Posts: 2,016 Member
    Thanks. For the first time I feel I can start to shed these pounds. Am amazed at how a website and an app can help do so much and am looking forward to it. I wonder if I should take a before picture now so I can have a nice after picture later ; )

    YES!!
  • rolyprince
    rolyprince Posts: 49 Member
    I would definitely say to you to take a picture of yourself at the beginning. I never did and I've regretted it. Just think of the motivation to keep going it will give you further down the line. Good luck ;-)
  • sheram65
    sheram65 Posts: 13 Member
    Yes do take a picture and measure your waist, chest, hips and other things like your neck, top arm, top of leg. I have lost more weight off my thighs than anywhere else. I have also lost quite a bit off my face. Good luck and keep checking your cals.
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    definitely take a before picture! I regret nor getting a good one! Take one today! x
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    I started at 301lbs and it gave me 1800 calories a day, so its given you around double. It worked great for me. My dietitian said it was okay to have a big deficit though as i was in the very overweight category. You could always try going a little less from what i've been told and loose more than 2lb a week. This is ok when you have a lot to loose, not ok when you get closer to goal. Sounds like you will loose 2lbs a week om 3700 though! If you'd like a friend add me x
  • danielleburwell97060
    danielleburwell97060 Posts: 257 Member
    Definitely take a picture to have! I don't know what I weighed at the time, but I have these pics from my birthday dinner in 09 that my mom took. I didn't see them until I think sometime in 2010 and I was like HOLY CRAP. I had to have been at least 350lbs which is 25 higher than what I've started at here on this site. It is a good reminder of what we never, ever want to go back to!

    Congrats on taking the first step. You CAN do this! This website has helped me SO, SO much just to be aware of what I put in my mouth and when you think you're hungry and you know you have to log, sometimes you realize hey I only have half my cals left and it's not even close to dinner time yet... Maybe I'm not hungry after all! So much about eating is so psychological that we don't even realize.

    I friended you as I hope to be able to see your progress and share successes with you! I've found having a few friends commenting things on my posts has helped me feel good about myself and what I'm doing, even if it is just my 20 minute walk to the bus in the morning! lol
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    DEFINITELY take a before picture, and measurements! You'll be so glad you did. Good luck! :-)
  • sexyminxinthemaking
    sexyminxinthemaking Posts: 451 Member
    i agree about the take some photos now , i didnt and i regret it now :cry:
    if you need a few friends feel free to add me :flowerforyou:
    goodluck on your journey xx

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