how many carloies should i be taking in

crybil · July 2012

My trainer said i should be taking in 900 to 1200 calories a day. I wiegh 250 now it just doesnt sound like that much i do curcit training everyday but sunday and also play golf when it isnt to hot any advise would be great

Jerridee

Laurie1267 · July 2012

Your caloric intake sounds low to me (especially since you exercise). What number of calories did MFP advise you?

camelgirlmn · July 2012

Never eat less than 1200 calories!!!

aim2234 · July 2012

Gotta love those trainers! That is too low. I would go off of what MFP tells you. I would say anything less than 1500 is too low especially if you are working out!

shellyk972 · July 2012

I'd go with what my fitness pal tells you. I was eating between 1200-1500 calories and then went to a nutritionist.. With the amount that I exercise, she said that that calorie range was too low and she agreed with what my fitness pal said I should eat.

GayatriMehta · July 2012

I have learnt from past, If you eat too less your body will keep storing fat cells. Your brain keeps sending signals that you will not get more food.. so the cells tend to store more fat.

I am using this formula:
655 + (4.3 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)

It should help. Also, its important your portion size ! Eat frequently. I eat every 2 hrs...and keep logging the info. You can go wrong but the logs will help you be on track next time.

Missy_Snipes · July 2012

You will be tired, grumpy, have no energy and have circles under your eyes in a short amount of time, you may lose weight to begin with but you will eventually plateau hard! Been there, done that! That is not enough to keep up long term with exercise, life and kids!! You should net (after exercise) between 1200-1500, minimum!

margojr4 · July 2012

You should never go below your BMR (basic metabolic rate) what your body needs to fuel your brain and organs.

Here's the calculation:

.9 (female) x (bodyweight / weight in kg) x 24hrs =
multiply bmr by .10 (thermal effect of food) =
multiply bmr by activity level (.2 desk job, .3 light activity, .4 moderate, .5 heavy or physical job e.g. waitress) =
Add all together thats your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE)

.9 x (66) x 24 = 1426 <-- example of my BMR
1426*1= 142.6
1426*.4= 570
Add all three 2138

(source of formulas: NSCA essentials of strength and conditioning 3rd edition)

I work out 4-5x a week and aim for 2000 calories a day. If I go over, I'll gain weight. If I eat closer to my BMR, I'll lose. Inbox me if you have any other questions.

jillica · July 2012

I am using this formula:
655 + (4.3 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)

NICE! Did the math for myself and it lines up with my MFP/day average providing that I workout like I say I am going to.

Wpbarr · July 2012

Fire your trainer.

crybil · July 2012

thats kind of funny cause when i do follow this i am tired and grumpy and have headaches got to love trainers lol Hes a good guy though :yawn:

crybil · July 2012

my next question is do you think i should eat less calories one day and then eat the amount im sapose to the next day would that help

dogberry3 · July 2012

I can't imagine that see-sawing your daily intake would help. I think consistency is the key. Let your body eat what it needs and no more but make sure you eat every day and dont go under either. I use the log to meal plan for the week and then I prep all my foods for the week so that I don't have to think about "what i'm in the mood for"... takes some of the emotion out of eating and I also spend much less time wandering about my kitchen (which is a good thing as well cause when we wander in the kitchen we tend to "just grab a little of this" don't we?) Consistency will give you long term weight management because soon that amount of calories becomes "normal" and routine and you know when you step out of line with what your goals are.

crybil · July 2012

That's what I figured thanks for that

Thejodyrobot · July 2012

Actually, there are some studies that show a sort of see-saw with calories is a GOOD thing. It's called calorie cycling, and it helps to trick your metabolism into losing weight. It's what I plan to try if I don't loose weight from just cutting calories....