What Number Works for You?
 

Hi, I've just started calorie counting a few days ago and am at the stage of having to spend a long time figuring out what the value of everything is.

I have done this before for short periods, and seem to remember that I could get along without feeling hungry and still lose weight on 1200 per day, but then I was exercising lots too. This time around I have injuries and can't really do cardio, and my job's behind a desk mainly. I've decided therefore to try 1000 cals per day, which has been easy so far, but it's early days and no big temptations yet.

Just wondering what is normal for everyone? How fast do you lose on what calorie limit? What number works for you as a short term plan or a long term plan? And how much moving do you do to go with it?

how come the calorie counting section is so not-busy?!
is calorie counting too old school, passe, not cool??!
are there more new and exciting things out there that work much better with fancy names that i'm not in on?!
what should I be doing if i'm not counting calories?! (not that I want to change at the moment as i'm feeling motivated and it's working), but still interested in anyone that's converted to something sexier...

Hi ange82much, It's quieter these days on all of the 3FC threads. There is more action on one of the daily check in threads, where posters often log their calories. Here's one:

https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/wei...e-welcome.html

Do you allow all foods within your calorie range? I am also 5'4", with about 50 lbs to lose. I can lose on 1200-1300 calories. If I were as close to my goal as you are, it would come off very slowly. Within my calories, sticking to low carb suppresses my appetite.

Good luck to you!

bump

thanks Sundove - yes, definitely quieter around here than when I was here before (a few years ago). i'm sort of surprised what with New Years Resolutions etc! Thanks for your info on your calorie limits, I think i'm the same as you too and could lose slowly on 1200, but i'm just starting out so happy to go a bit harder at the moment. Good luck with getting to your targets :)

im 5"3, and 1450 works for me.

I’m 5’4 and do well between 1400-1650

hi!! i'm back on calorie counting after flirting with IE made me gain 15lbs lol...
i'm 5'4 and currently 170lbs and i'm eating 1200 a day, 1500 if i work out. it's been working!!

I am using 1200 and I started at 206lbs at 1350 but dropped now that I've lost 25 lbs netting 1350 with 5 days a week using the gym to get there.

I am 5'6" and doing about 1000-1200 a day and have lost an average of 2.3lbs a week since July. Also am post menopausal but do walk about 12,000 steps a day and am working on increasing speed as each lb I use makes me burn fewer calories.

5'1" and currently 183 and I lose on 1500-1600. (exercise 3 times a week).
I set my goal after figuring out my BMR and activity, and then minus 500 calories. And I've lost on it. I aim for that because I feel I'll be able to maintain at a higher number when I lose the weight. Im afraid if I dip to just 1000-1200 then I'll gain weight having 1400-1500 long term and that's not something I'm okay with (for ME) - I want to be able to maintain at a higher number in future.

It's true, it's different for the individual. If you are losing, stick to what you are doing and what is comfortable for you. I usually lose if I stay below 1500. Last week I started only eating when hungry and only enough to satisfy that hunger. It's not as easy as it sounds. After posting to MFP I see that I am coming in at a lower calorie count...1100 -1200. Not counting as I eat, but entering at the end of the day. If I enter foods as I eat them, I might be tempted to think I can eat something else because I still have 300 calories left. I also try to eat foods that give me the most nutrition for the lowest calorie count, but still, eating foods that I like. I expect that there will be days that I am more hungry and will eat more. I think this is considered Intuitive Eating or mindful eating. I would like it to become a permanent way of life for me.

I don't know if any of you use a Fitbit. If you do, My Fitness Pal syncs with Fitbit. Enter your food in MFP and it adds the calorie count to your Fitbit Dashboard. Then it shows you if you are under/over/in the zone, based on the calories tracked on your Fitbit. Just an interesting little perk. There's also a place on MFP to enter your cups of water for the day, which also show up on your Fitbit Dashboard. I'm into things like this.

Wannabehealthy,

I too use Fitness Pal. It helps alot. Yesterday ate then wrote down. Not good. Had meatballs way too many calories.

Angi82much Calculator.net will calculate how much to eat a day to lose 1,2,3 pounds a week and also figures in if you exercise. You fill out age, gender and activity level.

Hope this can help you.

I don't think counting calories is necessary, but it might be useful for some people. Like I tell everyone, what you eat is more important than how much you eat. I think some people think that as long as they stay under their calorie limit, it's ok to eat junk food, but junk food isn't filling, so it makes it harder to stay under the limit.

I don't count calories but I probably eat about 2000 calories per day. Most of my friends eat less than me, but they're fatter than me because their diets aren't as healthy as mine.