1280 cals a day doesn't seem healthy...

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Replies

  • Coco_Puff
    Coco_Puff Posts: 823 Member
    Are you exercising?

    MFP is set up to assume that you will eat back your exercise calories as well... so if you go to the gym and burn 300 calories, you'll really be eating 1580 calories that day.

    This : You need to eat more to fuel your workouts.
  • Rebel73
    Rebel73 Posts: 12
    Also,

    you have to listen to your body. My daily goal is NET 1800 calories, but if I genuinely feel hungry, I eat something. Your body knows what it needs.
  • marcylara
    marcylara Posts: 11 Member
    If you do a significant burn, eat more. If you are bumming around, eat less. Don't forget, it's the type of food, too. If you eat a slice of pizza, that's 200+ calories, as is ONE doughnut! But you could eat a super large salad with some lean protein for that many calories. Watch the bread, dressings, fries, etc. If it hasn't been alive at some point and can't be consumed without much processing, then don't eat it!
  • I run once a week and do 25 minutes of circuit training every day at the moment :) i eat my calories back when possible

    well you should ALWAYS eat them back and reassess your goal. 5'6 and 120 is REALLY REALLY thin. I don't think it's necessary or advisable to force your body that low eating less than 1500 calories a day. Definitely change your goal to 1/2 pound per week though otherwise you'll like lose muscle in addition to fat and ruin your metabolism.
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    Yes, that's way too low. But it's not MFP's fault. Your weight loss goal is way too aggressive for your build.

    You should drop it down to 0.5 lbs/week, or set your caloric goal to your BMR. That will give you approximately 250 more calories. Much more healthy.

    a few people have suggested dropping to 0.5lbs. I think i shall do this from now on. Thank you every one!

    That sounds about right. That'll give you 1530, which will put you a bit over your estimated BMR, plus when you're already in the "healthy" BMI range and just want to go down a bit, you need to be more patient.
  • I wouldn't limit food intake too much especially if you have suffered from eating disorders.

    This is what I thought! I wanted to do things healthily. When I had anorexia I actually resticted to 1000-1200 and got down to an unhealthy 80lbs in no time...so it seems odd that MFP is suggesting this..

    sounds like you're still a bit disordered. 120 is way too low hun. maybe you should speak to your parents about this--it doesn't seem like a wise move for someone haivng suffered with an eating disorder.
  • Lots of good advice here!

    I've decided to:

    -Increase my goal weight by 5lbs (it was too low)
    -Aim for a loss of 0.5lb a week
    -Take a walk 3-5 times a week
    -Eat when I'm hungry and listen to my body! And to not get bogged down with numbers....
  • 2April
    2April Posts: 285 Member
    Lots of good advice here!

    I've decided to:

    -Increase my goal weight by 5lbs (it was too low)
    -Aim for a loss of 0.5lb a week
    -Take a walk 3-5 times a week
    -Eat when I'm hungry and listen to my body! And to not get bogged down with numbers....
    Good luck!
  • My calorie intake without exercise is only 1210 so I feel your pain! ;0) Like others have said, adding the exercise will add on the calories you can eat and the benefits to your body and health are wonderful! ;0)
    Best of luck!
  • londongirl2012
    londongirl2012 Posts: 149 Member
    Lots of good advice here!

    I've decided to:

    -Increase my goal weight by 5lbs (it was too low)
    -Aim for a loss of 0.5lb a week
    -Take a walk 3-5 times a week
    -Eat when I'm hungry and listen to my body! And to not get bogged down with numbers....

    that sounds sensible, good luck. :)