How many calories

[Ricycle]

Help! I'm confused. I have started using MPG and after inputting my details it tells me to have 1400 calories if I want to lose 1lb per week. On the NHS BMI calculator it gives me the range of 1500-1929 sticking to the lower end to lose 1-2lbs per week.

Which one do I go with?

[YellowRose55]

Hi Ricycle

If I was you I would follow the NHS BMI calculator and aim for the lower end of the calorie range. That is what I follow and managed to lose over 5st so it does work.

[Ricycle in reply to YellowRose55]

Thanks YellowRose55. Do you think the MFP sets it too low? I am currently 11st 10 1/2lbs and although I've only got about a stone and a half to lose I struggle, I have an under active thyroid which is managed well with thyroxine. I'm sure this doesn't help while trying to lose weight but I know it can be done. I have wondered in the past if I restrict my calories too much. I seem to have spent years yoyo dieting and really need to find a way to lose it for good. 🙂

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Ricycle]

I think the main difference is MFP allows you to "earn" extra calories by exercising, but it's not always accurate. The NHS range already allows for exercise level. I always suggest you start eating towards the top of the range and reduce it if you need to. 😊

You may find this interesting

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[Ricycle in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Thanks Anna61, an interesting read indeed! I will give it a thorough read tomorrow ☺

[nteapea]

Definitely follow the BMI Ricycle and adjust as you lose weight. I use MFP to calorie count but I wasn't losing weight eating below my calorie range. Good luck

[Ricycle in reply to nteapea]

Thank you nteapea, just been updating MPG and only used 1150 caloriesso far......better have some toast for supper!

What about calories earned through excercise?

[nteapea in reply to Ricycle]

I kind of ignore the exercise calories I not sure you can trust you have really burned those calories. Try and bulk up breakfast lunch and snacks so you are not eating too late. 😀

[Ricycle in reply to nteapea]

Will do that tomorrow, thanks for the advice ☺

[HubbysMissMouse]

Before I joined here I never used to lose weight and sometimes put weight on because I wasn't eating enough calories and my body thought I was starving it so turned what I did eat into body fat to ensure that it could continue itself. This fat weighs more than eating the extra calories does so stops me from losing weight and sometimes meant I put weight on which was actually why I ended up bigger all the time. If I was you I would go by the NHS bmi calculator as this is what I use and have lost 2st since I found out about eating the right amount of calories to be able to lose weight. Make sure you don't make this same mistake as many people here did also make this same mistake. The bmi calc does count in your exercise and also your sex and age and does personal amounts for everyone whereas the others tend to do average amounts for everyone. This is why this is better for you to go by. Do go nearer the top as at least you can lower the amounts and don't forget the amounts do drop as you lose weight and closer to the bottom of your weightloss becomes too low so I wish I went nearer the top to start with as you can't swap halfway through without putting on weight.

[Ricycle in reply to HubbysMissMouse]

So what you're saying HubbysMissMouse that even at the upper end of the range given I should in theory lose weight??

I'm am going to read the link given by Anna61 later which is about increasing calories to lose weight. Sounds very interesting but it goes against everything I've been told about dieting! I will increase my calorie intake closer to the top range, just hoping and preying I don't put weight on. Holiday is 5 weeks away eek 🤔

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Ricycle]

It's about finding the sweet spot between eating too much and gaining weight or eating too little and forcing your body into famine mode. Good luck !!

[HubbysMissMouse]

Hi Ricycle that is what I have heard now many times by others who have done this but I wasn't told this at first so I went for the lower range but now regret it and wish I had gone either mid or upper range instead. Even though I used to eat only around 1000cals now I eat more and am too used to it and am feeling like I don't eat enough now where I have had to drop the Cals with the amounts I have lost.

[Ricycle in reply to HubbysMissMouse]

The link Anna61 sent made really interesting reading. I have decided to aim for somewhere in the region of 1800. As I have been a lot lower I'm expecting a bit of a gain but we shall see.