Help calculating my daily calories?

imthelobster
imthelobster Posts: 179 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I just recalculated my daily calories through MFP because I lost 10% of my starting weight. MFP put me at 1390 calories. I'm not sure that I'm calculating my BMR right, but if I am, it's around 1800ish.

So what should I be eating? Is MFP putting me at lower because I'm still ~70lbs from my goal?

For reference:

5'6"
CW: 216lbs
Sedentary

Replies

  • spammyanna
    spammyanna Posts: 871 Member
    That seems like not nearly enough calories for you.

    Maybe set your goal to lose 1lb/week instead. I am 5'4" 129lbs, and I eat 1600-1800 per day and still lose.
  • imthelobster
    imthelobster Posts: 179 Member
    What's your body fat %?

    According to the Military one, 32.4%. According to Covert Bailey, it's 28%.
  • imthelobster
    imthelobster Posts: 179 Member
    Bump
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    MFP's calculator takes into account your target weight loss, and deducts calories based on your stated goal.

    So if you're sedentary at 1800 calories, and MFP says 1400 calories, then you're cutting 400 calories a day or 7000 calories (two pounds) per week.

    All MFP did was to calculate your average daily caloric use with a planned deficit to get what you need to lose two pounds a week.

    Eat your BMR! Exercise an extra 400 calories a day and don't eat those to create that deficit.
  • spammyanna
    spammyanna Posts: 871 Member
    I don't think it has anything to do with your bf %

    You need to eat more.

    One rule I've heard here is not to eat below your BMR. So take that number as a goal each day.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    You need waaaaay more than 1300 calories.

    Use the site as it is set up. Don't over-think this. Re-evaluate in a month. In the meantime, educate yourself. There are lots of conflicting ways to figure your calories. This site does a good job if you use it honestly and don't be too aggressive.

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

    If you have a job or go to school or care for children you are not Sedentary. Adjust your Goal accordingly. A man should never eat below 1500, and you should not be eating below your BMR.



  • Shayztar
    Shayztar Posts: 415 Member
    Search the group Eat More to Weigh Less. I'm a 5'7" female about 180 lbs and I eat 1800+. You seem to know about BMR and TDEE, so it's worth reading the stickies in the group.
  • noweightfisherj
    noweightfisherj Posts: 220 Member
    I’m 6’1; 216lbs looking to lose 2lbs a week and MFP has me on 1380 calories a day down from 2189.
  • Allic1971
    Allic1971 Posts: 145 Member
    try this one http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    It gives work outs in hours, so have a look to see where you fall into, I am moderate and I'm a stay at home mum.

    It gives me nearly 2000 cals to eat to lose weight 15% deficit, too much of a deficit and your body knows what your doing also you got to fuel the body to workout :))

    good luck
    Alli
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/424963-how-many-lbs-a-week-should-i-try-to-lose

    Check out the above link. Know what your TDEE (maintenance calories) is and calculate your deficit from there.
  • shelitajohnson
    shelitajohnson Posts: 3 Member
    Congratulations!!!! Losing weight and keeping it off is a way of life. I once heard someone say, "I exercise so I can eat." Anywho, it does sound kinda off because I am 5"4' and MFP has me at 1510 calories a day. I did notice that your activity level and that could have something to do with it. Good luck!
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    I’m 6’1; 216lbs looking to lose 2lbs a week and MFP has me on 1380 calories a day down from 2189.

    If you cut 1380 down to 980, you could lose four pounds a week. At 480, you would lose six pounds a week. At 80 calories a day, you would lose a whopping eight pounds a week while you starve to death.

    Eat your BMR, and exercise.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    I’m 6’1; 216lbs looking to lose 2lbs a week and MFP has me on 1380 calories a day down from 2189.

    If you cut 1380 down to 980, you could lose four pounds a week. At 480, you would lose six pounds a week. At 80 calories a day, you would lose a whopping eight pounds a week while you starve to death.

    Eat your BMR, and exercise.

    Before I got to that second sentence, I was ready to pounce! Good show.

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