So, how many calories?????

[Dingle]

I started a bit of a fitness drive last weekend, and I am struggling with meeting the target of 1200 calories given to me on My Fitness Pal. The NHS site tells me 1400cals.

I have tried looking around, my TDEE is 2222 and my BMR is 1439.95...now what????? Any advice please?

I have started doing the C25k 3 times a week which helps the calorie count on those days but I need some sort of structured fitness routine I can easily fit into some of the other days.

Have I got this right please? I have put my details into the TDEE calculator and ignored any exercise I am doing, opting for the little or no exercise option. My TDEE now shows at 1721. So to stay at my current weight, that's an indicator of how many calories I can have.

Where does the BMR calculator come into it?

BMR is basal metabolic rate and is the number of calories your body would need if you basically just lay in bed all day, so you shouldn't eat less than that on a regular basis.

By the sounds of things you could probably eat around the 1600 or 1700 mark and lose weight if you are running too. You don't really want to start with your calories too low because eventually your body will get used to that and you may stop losing weight and then you won't really have any room to reduce anymore.

HTH!

I don't think there is a set amount - it totally depends on your body, your metabolism etc etc.

I am on MFP and I am on 1200 cals per day. I do an awful lot of exercise but i never use any extra calories. If I was on more than 1200 cals I am sure I would put weight on (regardless of exercise) and I def could not have 1700 every day and maintain.

You can have a lot of food for 1200 cals if you make the right choices.

I know planning meals is a big downfall for me betty!

It's week 1, I suppose I will just have to go with it, aim between 1200-1400 and see how it goes for me. I am up to 11.5 stone so probably have 1.5-2. stone to lose.

Sorry, thank you for replies! x

I was quite anal mathematical about TDEE etc last year. I worked out my TDEE (I included my activity levels) then subtracted average 15% from it and inputted that as my daily total in MFP then ate at that level (or averaged out across the week) all of 2012. I didn't eat back my exercise cals as they were included in my TDEE total (not that I did any exercise!). I lost around 3 stones.

So my TDEE at 210 lbs was 2296 cals
15% reduction was 1952 cals

Worked for me. Loads of calories and no deprivation.

Doing 5:2 fasting now so my non-fasting day calories are now 2120 (as I've reached goal weight).

But I don't need to count calories now as I've learned proper portion sizes for me.

This TDEE calculator will work the percentage reductions for you:
scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

Sorry, promise this is the last post

Well, despite going over my 1200 cal target on MFP, I have lost over 3lb this week so something is working! LOL

Thank you, I will look into this again and see how it all progresses. x

Oh goodness, just put all my details into that BsshBossh with only 1-3 hours of light exercise and with a 20% calorie reduction goal it's giving me 1577 calories a day.

Feeling much better about not hitting 1200, especially as I am quite active at work and now doing the C25k 3 times a week too! THANK YOU.

Agree with BsshBossh - I've lost 2 stone in 4 months doing it that way. Its sustainable, it works... 1-2 lb a week,and know the weight will stay off.

You probably lost the 3lb because you did go over your 1200 calories :)
Aim for a slightly higher calorie count and don't take off your exercise cals.

Good luck

So depressing my tdee is only 1622-so 1300 is pretty accurate for me to loose on.

Another here agreeing with BsshBossh and I've lost 21kg since last September

I am so glad I stuck with my higher calorie amount because my body never got used to low calorie eating. It means that at goal weight I can still eat at approx 2000 cals (my current TDEE) - hurrah!

I kept feeling so guilty for going over 1200 calories but I don't want my dieting to rule my life.

I have had a cooked brekkie but cut back on toast, tried out quorn sausages, had more grilled tomatoes and low fat baked beans,,,etc. Still more cals than I should have had so I had a tin of soup for lunch.

Had a nice roast dinner, no yorkshire pudding and only 2 small roast potatos, loads of steamed veg.

Even with a lovely glass of Merlot I am standing at 1352 cals so quite pleased with that, especially as it's a non run day on c25k. BUT I might still try for 10minutes on the x-trainer. xx

Same here BsshBossh. 1800-2000 a day and still losing slowly, expect I'll stop losing when I get near target.

Dingle - eat more! :)

Well I have just had a slice of Vienetta and I like to have a hot drink and a treat, perhaps a cookie, before bed!

I know I am still eating the wrong things but my diet and fitness isn't going to completely change over night.

Thank you for all the help and advice. x

Heh, good work.

I still have dominos every couple of weeks, the trick is to just have a couple oflean days either side to average out the calorie count.

alien just remember to adjust your TDEE for every 5lbs you lose.

Ah true, I'd forgotten that bit!

"just remember to adjust your TDEE for every 5lbs you lose."

^ I have stuck with my original calorie level, have lost 21kg and still losing quite happily at that level, so I'm not going to adjust anything while it's still working.

Fifty it's only a recommendation (from one the TDEE Scooby site), not an admonitio. We all do whatever works.

admonition

BettySwallocks, am I understanding that you need to stay at 1200 cals just to stay the same, and that you also do lots of exercise?

That seems very low. What about birthdays, bad days, nights out etc? Surely you can't stick to 1200 for life. Are you very petite?