Trying Calorie Counting

[AlexiaRose]

Okay, so I've decided to try this method caause it's pretty affordable since I can basically use what food my mother already buys for us, so I don't have to tell her she needs to get this, this, and this cause we're jack poor as it is. But I'm not sure what limit to set myself. A couple sites I visited say ~1,600 if I wanna lose weight, but I'm unsure, especially since I dunno my exact weight (though I will find out in the very near future somehow). Any advice besides finding out my actual weight?

 

[TracyGWill]

You do need to know how much you weigh and what your height is, yes. Then you just go to an on-line calculator to work out your TDEE, for which you input height, weight, age and activity level. This tells you how many calories you burn in a day, approximately. Then you reduce this figure depending on how many pounds you want to lose a week. So if you want to lose a pound a week, you need to eat 500 less calories a day than your body burns; 2lbs a week would be 1,000 less than you need a day. BUT you shouldn't eat any less than 1,200 calories a day, that's important.

There's a thread in the Stickies section that tells you everything you need to know. Good luck! xx

 

[AlexiaRose]

Thanks.

 

[chezz]

alexia good luck on your journey x x

 

[AlexiaRose]

My health teacher had us do a MyFitnessPal account thing. My thing said (with my estimated weight) I had to eat 1,200 calories to lose 2 pounds a week and I'd probably lose about 10 pounds by October 23rd. I was actually gonna set myself to that (maybe) once I finally weighed myself. xD Hopefully, when I get myself weighed and start my diet, the number will be that good (the pounds lost that is). I'd definitely reach my goal if my body works with me. x3

 

[lindseydodd408]

Although 1200 is meant to be the safe limit, be aware that there are many people finding this too low and not getting good long term results.

I was told by myfinesspal to eat 1300, but when I worked out my TDEE minus 20% I was told to eat 1600... So I eat 1600, I'm much happier, less likely to fall off the wagon and have more energy to exercise, and still losing weight. Good luck. xxx

 

[TracyGWill]

Although 1200 is meant to be the safe limit, be aware that there are many people finding this too low and not getting good long term results.

I was told by myfinesspal to eat 1300, but when I worked out my TDEE minus 20% I was told to eat 1600... So I eat 1600, I'm much happier, less likely to fall off the wagon and have more energy to exercise, and still losing weight. Good luck. xxx

Agreed, I would never go that low. xx

 

[AlexiaRose]

I haven't like definitely decided. I'm waiting until I found out my weight to I decide. Hell, maybe I'll go in the middle of what different places have been telling me (1,400 calories). I dunno. I'm still planning. I gotta figure out my school lunches since they don't have calorie counts for half the stuff I usually eat on the school's site.

 

[Baby_Cakes]

I struggle to get to 1200 a day.