cedarghost Member

The number of calories you should eat is not a flat number (1200) for obese people. It is based on several factors like height, weight and age. Start here, it works: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

In my experience, I have found very few people are actually sedentary. Sounds like you are wanting to pick Sedentary out of fear of gaining weight. You are going to have to learn patience. Set your calories as Lightly active, stick to them, then evaluate in 3 to 4 weeks and adjust as needed. If you gain, you gain. It will…

That wasn't very constructive. Why are you attacking me?

But my doctor says I am healthy. I just had a full blood panel done last month. They checked testosterone, lipid levels, cholesterol, blood pressure, the whole nine. And I have lost a total of 20 pounds, 10% body fat and gained lean body mass and strength.

WalMart. They're a dollar off right now.

No. the 3000 is my TDEE. My actual goal is 2300. I set it manually because I like to be able to see "You have xxx amount of calories left" and know the absolutely most I can have and still lose weight.

Very serious. And thanks for the Muffin idea! I could make them at night and just grab them on the way out. @Robin, thanks!

Yeah. I kind of thought about that.

I can do Subway, I forgot about them!

But they were fruit flavored Pop Tarts.

I have been trying to buy more apples and bananas. But have really slacked the last couple of weeks.

I just don't have time for breakfast, unless it's a donut or a McMuffin. I used to drink just water, but I have become addicted to Diet Coke, so maybe 16 ounces a day. I am just doing cardio 3 days a week right now and light lifting one day until my elbow and shoulder heals.

If you want to build muscle or minimize muscle loss, most recommend at least 1g of protein per pound of lean body mass. Protein is really the only macro I worry about (though I have been slacking lately). Your calories should work fine for your fat loss goals, however to build muscle you need to be eating over TDEE, not…

And start your own thread......:happy:

If your goal is weight loss, it's all about the number of calories. Not macros, not good food versus bad food. Just the calories. If you're over you will gain, if your under you will lose. Period. [/end thread]

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12 There's a good place to start.

:laugh:

I'm 6'5" 222 pounds, 42 years old. I tried eating at around 1500 to 1800 calories at one point and my weight loss stopped.....I now eat around 2300 a day and even when I do minimal exercise and lose pretty steadily every month. I can eat around 2800 to 2900 a day without minimal exercise and maintain my weight.

AT a moderate activity level (which I am sure are... at a minimum...) Your TDEE is 2421 and your bmr is 1550'ish. Depending on how much weight you have to lose, you should be eating at a cut off your TDEE but ideally not below your bmr. A 20% cut from TDEE is what most people suggest if you have plenty to lose. So you…

Great story! I'm glad it worked for you! That being said, just because something works for YOU doesn't mean you should go spouting it as gospel. It may not be the way someone else is going to be successful. That's the problem with advice. People say "do this" and "don't do that" or "eat this but not that" like it's an…

Any deficit over 500 calories a day will give you the "more than 1 pound a week" loss you seek. At least for a while, depending on how much you overdo it.....

Just keep at it. Try to look at the bigger picture. You are going to have days where there is nothing, days where there is a gain and days where there is a loss. But if you are doing things right ultimately you will lose more than you gain. Maybe try to force yourself to not weigh in so often. Take the scale and hide it in…

It's never too early to start lifting!

To build muscle, you have to eat at a surplus. Yes there are cases where some are able to build muscle wile on a deficit, but that is the exception to the rule. Try eating at maintenance (TDEE) or a little above while lifting heavy to build muscle then cutting calories while getting plenty of protein to lose any fat you…

When we get close to our goal, many people find that the number they picked, just isn't where their body wants to be at. Can you get it there? Sure, but it may be at the cost of body composition. Have you seen this: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/ Great story with…

/end thread Seriously. Your "ideal weight" may not be ideal. You said you only have 3 pounds to lose? Throw that scale away and focus on what you see in the mirror.

Heavy lifting can stall weight loss, due to water retention. When I lift heavy while on a cut, I will be lucky to lose 2 pounds every 4 to 6 weeks. BUT.......heavy lifting is great for body composition changes. Meaning trading bodyfat for lean body mass and hopefully a little muscle as well. So you should be measuring to…

Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12 and do it. It works. Though it may seem counter-intuitive at first, have a little faith and give it time.

@Kirsten, it's called calorie cycling and yeah, it's a pretty legit way to break plateaus and keep losing or to jump start weight loss when you have stalled. At least for me.

It's just a number based on another number that you put in when you setup mfp. If you want to see it say you will weigh less, then put in a higher daily allowance. All the mfp calculator knows is if you ate below the number you put in it, It doesn't know if that number is right for you. That's why I always recommend people…