How many calories?

[Futurethinking2026]

How do you know how many calories you should be having when starting MJ?

There's no right or wrong answer. Some people track calories on MJ, some people don't.

I track calories. I used a TDEE to work out my maintenance calories (1700) and took 500 off so I aim for 1200 calories a day. But it will be different for everyone as it will also depend on your height, starting weight, lifestyle...

Thanks, TDEE? Obviously aware everyone’s will be different but wondered why to start with working it out.

Like this https://www.calculator.net/tdee-calculator.html

There are loads available if you Google.

MyFitnessPal is pretty good, you sign up for a free account, put in your height, weight, activity level and a goal of 1 or 2 lb loss a week and it tells you how many calories to eat.

I used a BMR calculator and then deducted 500 calories a day from this, 500 x 7= 3500 calories which is a pound a week loss. I use MFP to log food and drink. I use weekly calories so I have a few lean Days in the week to make up for fuller meals at the weekends, helps me feel less deprived !

I think the average for 1lb loss a week is a deficit of 500 calories a day. So mine is 1700 and I look at it every half stone of loss or so. Plenty of deficit calculators out there - its based on weight, height and activity level.

Thanks everyone! Really helpful.