We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Am I eating enough calories?

Tara_Lynnette
Tara_Lynnette Posts: 8 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Need some opinions...

I am 5'5, 26 years old, 136 lbs. I'm trying to lose weight at the fastest, yet safest rate. I do Insanity workouts 6 days a week, where I burn anywhere between 200 to 300 calories, depending on the workout. MFP set my calorie intake to 1200 calories, plus I eat my exercise calories back also. But when I look on other sites, they usually say anywhere between 1400 to 1600 calories, not including exercise, is what someone with my stats should be consuming. I don't want to overeat, yet I don't want to put my body in starvation mode. Is there anyone out there similar to me...what is your calorie intake...answers from anyone is greatly appreciated. :-)

Replies

  • JacksMom12
    JacksMom12 Posts: 1,044 Member
    I am 26, 5'4 and 117 lbs. On my second round of insanity. I eat about 1440+ exercise calories when I was still trying to lose (I burn anywhere from 200-400, sometimes more in month 2) With that little to lose, I'd set your weight loss goals at 0.5 per week. Any more is unrealistic. On maintainence while doing insanity I eat about 1750+exercise calories, often more.
  • jcperkns
    jcperkns Posts: 109
    I am doing Insanity as well. I would suggest eating close to your BMR. MFP had me set at 1200 and I started to plateau. I discoverd my BMR is 1500 and once I started eating around that I started to lose consistently. Personally, I feel like netting 1200 calories is not enough for such an intense workout like Insanity.
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    You aren't factoring in MFP 's built in deficit. Your numbers sound good, maybe a little low.. but as long as you're eating beck your burnoff...sounds like you're on track to me.
  • sophiesummerdiet
    sophiesummerdiet Posts: 84 Member
    I am exactly the same stats as you and MFP also set me at 1200 and I eat back my exercise calories. However, after reading all about BMR I checked what mine was and its about 1480 sedentary (even though I'm a teacher so probably should be lightly active). I therefore upped my calorie intake to 1400 and eat my exercise calories back. Hope that helps.
  • Tara_Lynnette
    Tara_Lynnette Posts: 8 Member
    Thank you guys!!! I increased mine to 1500 calories a day, plus exercise calories, and I've already lost over a pound. My poor body was starving, lol!!! So I think I may stick to 1500 for a couple weeks and see how that goes, and then adjust accordingly after that. Thanks!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories