confused

[seamus666]

starting my diet today. worked out my calorie allowance on the bmi checker, was stunned to see a whopping 1920. Then signed up to my fitness pal (saw a post advising this) which said it was 1580, huge difference here. Please help, which is the one I follow got around 8 st to loose and am a woman.

[OlsBean]

I'm not sure which BMI checker you are referring to (do you have a link?) could be your BMR though and the second one at MFP is a calorie target required in order to lose weight (BMR minus a deficit)?

[GoogleMe in reply to OlsBean]

Yes, that seems plausible to me too. Although 1920 seems quite a lot for a woman unless you've described yourself as very active.

(I do sometimes wonder if some of the increase in obesity is due to women feeling equal to men (hooray) and thinking this means the same portion size... I've certainly needed to make that mental adjustment that it *isn't* fair shares if I eat the same size meal as my taller husband)

[OlsBean in reply to GoogleMe]

Obesity also increases BMR considerably and with 8 stone to lose I am assuming she falls into this category.

I think there is probably some truth to the observation that some women now eat the same proportionally as men. I might be looking at it through Rose Tinted Spectacles but growing up I have a memory of the Ladies in my family choosing the more healthier, daintier meals if we were out and the men going for the more substantial "Man Size" meals.

[fibronfedup]

I use myfitnesspal but i ignore theres and set my own of 1400cal per day, i started with 9st to lose and im nearly 3st down i tend to vary my daily calories between 1200-1400 per day so my body doesnt get to used to it. But it works for me, eveeybody is different though. Maybe start at 1580 per day for a few weeks and see how you get on?

[GoogleMe in reply to fibronfedup]

I do something similar - not intentionally but because eating a varied diet is going to end up that way or involve fuss and bother. I don't factor in any exercise calories - I tried it and it didn't work well for me. MFPs estimates were overoptimistic.

I'm on the last leg now I hope - 10kgs to lose to get where I feel I belong, still just a bit too close to the top of the healthy BMI range and carrying more than I need around my middle.

[fibronfedup in reply to GoogleMe]

I dont eat the exercise calories either seems a bit odd really while trying to lose. Good luck hope you get to the goal you want

[Lozz84ie]

Hey x

I'm not a pro at all the figures but why don't you use the higher figure for week 1 and if you loose continue, if you don't or only 1lb maybe decrease by 100kals x

It's all what is most achievable x

MFP tells me to have 1200!!! But I'm never going to be able to stick to that x

Good luck x

[seamus666]

Thank you every one for your comments. The BMI checker I used was the one on the NHS choices weight loss home page.

The comments about women eating the same as men are so true, especially annoying for me as my husband eats what he wants and never gains weight, in fact will loose weight quickly if he misses a few meals, hate him some times lol.

I think we some times get fixated on numbers, I checked out a few places and all had different daily allowances for me to follow. As I am going to be in this for the long haul I don't want to start too low as I will be unable to lower it in the coming months as my weight hopefully reduces. I am now 51 and have been dieting since I was a child, so would like to get it right this time. Think I will start at around 1500, the 1920 seemed really high, or maybe not, god knows how many calories i have been shoving down my neck to gain all this weight, we only count them when we are dieting. Thanks again guys

x