Why is MFP projecting weight gain?

[MrsWhirling]

I've just started using MFP. I'm 5ft and 10st 7lb. It's suggested 1,200 calories which I am sticking to, but when I complete my daily food diary it's projecting I'll gain weight in 5 weeks if everyday is like the ones I have had so far. I'm really confused?! Can anyone help pls?

It only does that to me if I go over my calorie target. Are you sure it isn't counting extra calories from somewhere?

Not that I can see? But sorry if this sounds stupid but I thought you had to eat 2,000 to maintain your weight??

Perhaps double check the weight you have entered as your starting weight?

It's not true for most women that they need 2000 calories, unless you are tall or very active. I'm 5ft4 and using Fitbit tracker and walking 15000 steps a day (so pretty active) I use 17-1800 cals. To lose 1lb a week I need a deficit of 500 cals a day so I would need to eat 12-1300 cals a day. If I ate 2000 I'd have an excess of 250ish a day and gain half a pond a week. ( assuming rough calculation of 3500 cals = 1 lb fat)

MFP has only suggested I would gain weight in 5 weeks if I have exceeded the target. Check your settings?

At 5ft I think 2000 calories is a lot unless you're very active. You know not all women are the same? So a blanket 2000 for everyone is unrealistic.

How active are you?

I have a desk job but aim to do at least three short work outs a week. I walk 2 miles a day. So not very active. Perhaps 1,000 would be better.

Try to increase your exercise rather than cutting your consumption below 1200 a day.

At 1000 it's very hard to get enough nuitrition. You may lose energy and do even less exercise, losing muscle weight and ending up worse off than when you started!

Having a desk job really does make it hard.

Can you exercise during lunchtime?

Unfortunately not, I only get 20mins for lunch, it's barely time to eat!

If you're eating 1200 calories a day, it shouldn't be predicting a weight gain .

Stick to 1200 but don't regularly go below it or you'll end up feeling listless and more likely to quit. It sounds as though a fitness tracker would be a good idea for you.

I'm doing MFP and the projections aren't that predictable! How much are you trying to lose a week?

About 2lbs a week. I'm not going over 1,200. I have 1 - 1 1/2 stone to lose, so as long as it is dropping off I don't mind. I was just a bit worried that it kept predicting a gain!!