How many calories should I eat in a day?

[makinglemonade]

Hi all. I'm destined to get myself fit and healthy and loose some weight. I'd like to loose 1.5stone. I've just signed up for the couch 2 5k and I'm going to start eating healthy again.

I've started using the My Fitness Pal app and it's fab. I was at the amount of calories I consumed today and that was without any 'treats'!

Just wondering how many calories I should be consuming in a day.

Anyone know?

Have a look on here

I thought MFP told you as well?

When I'm trying to lose weight I try to keep to 1500.

When you register with MFP and put in your height/weight/gender/activity level etc it tells you how many calories per day you should aim for...

Did you do that?

Thank you all! I feel a bit stupid now

I downloaded the MFP app a good few weeks ago and haven't looked at it since until this evening. I'm not sure where the info came from (obv I put my info into it but can't remember if it gave me goals or I preset them as it leg me go in and fiddle about with them this eve)

Anyhoo I'm going to go for 1500 a day as recommended by -octopus'- link and see how I get on.

Mmm, don't just go with the 1500, that may not suit for your height/weight/how much you wish to lose ....

Put it into MFP and see what it recommends...

Hi behind - ok so I took your advice and put all my info back into MFP and it's given me a target of 2280 which I think sounds quite a lot!

That's to loose 1lb per week so I'll try 2000 to see how I go.

Thanks

Usually to lose 1lb a week is c.500 calories less than your 'maintenance' calories

I am average height and to lose 1.5-2lb per week i am on 1200, so 2000 seems quite high to me!

Aw I don't know what I'm doing wrong!!!! Argh

I have never been on MFP, but happy to talk you through the foodfocus one (or do it for you if you are happy to post your current height & weight)

Hooray! I think I've done it - I was putting my weight in as 172kg instead of 72kg. I promised I'm normally fairly intelligent!

The food focus one is actually much easier go understand! So according to food focus my daily calories are 1400. The MFP is 1200 but that's net calories so it's assuming a certain amount is burned each day

I'm 5"4 so feel free to check my homework.

I can't believe I've spent all night at this. Although its taken my mind of what's in the naughty cupboard :)

I agree with your calcs for 1lb loss per week . LOL @ 172kg though

If you change your lifestyle to sedentary on FF, you get 1151 rather than 1391, so that may be a slightly different assumption?

I have always used FF as i have input all my 'regular' recipes so is very quick, but i know loads of people rate MFP.

Good luck with your loss

Thank you! You've been very patient with me

Good luck with yours too.

Night

Start at 1400 calories, and reduce down as you reach target.