Calorie help!

I was wondering if anyone else finds it hard to keep to 1300 calories a day. This is what my fitness pal suggests I eat to lose a pound week. I know that's 3 x 400 calorie meals plus a 100 calorie treat but some days I struggle. Thank goodness for exercise calories !

[Portlandprincess]

Because my b m I is high at 34 I can have 1600 cals ....yeah! However, shopping for fresh produce and making my own food I'm finding I'm making huge amounts of food for about 500 cals...and I mean huge!

[Elissy 3kg]

Hi, I've just switched to MFP from another counter and found it low, but then I did set my daily activities to sedentary, and added my activities like housework, walking, etc, and my calorie allowance went up. My aim for the week is 1lb.

If you set your daily activities on light active, the allowance will go up. My calorie target is 1300, but as I do some exercises and move around, it will go up. I have eaten about 1600 today and still haven't reached what I could.

It took me a while today to work it all out.

[Fatnomore]

I don't count the calories in fruit or vegetables like in the weight watchers diet, and I don't count any calories from drinks unless they are full strength

[Hidden]

You can have a satisfying breakfast for much less than 400cals, the 12 week plan recommends 280cals for breakfast, as well as 280cals for total snacks during the day. I've been sticking to the 1400cals recommended in the 12 week plan, going up to around 1500cals some days, or 1600/1700 on very rare occasions. But I exercise loads, and overall have found it easy to lose weight. So maybe you could try upping your calories, but not eating your exercise calories (i.e. don't enter them on mfp), and allowing more for snacks to keep you going during the day?

[2bFabnfit]

I am allowed 1200 but to be honest seldom eat them all

I think because I qit sugar I find it hard to eat them all!

[Fran182716]

I think for some people having the structure of an app that measures everything and tells you what to do is hugely helpful and motivating but it doesn't suit everyone. The calorie limits are a good guide but everyone's slightly different and the only way of knowing if you can eat a few more calories and still lose weight albeit slower is to track what you have and see what the scales say. Also people's bodies are different with regards to when they need bigger or smaller meals. I've never been able to eat much early in the day and 400 cals for breakfast would leave me feeling very uncomfortable, but that's just me someone else may need a substantial breakfast to get going. It's a bit of trial and error and patience to see what works for you. I have the most basic of basic apps that came with my phone and I enter my calories in "freehand" which works for me because most of what I eats made from scratch so no bar codes to scan. I'm sure it's not as accurate but I still slowly lose weight if I stick to the limit I've set myself (1500 cals). It might also help to vary what you're eating to see what keeps hunger at bay best. I've found reducing carbs and increasing fat (still within calorie allowance) for breakfast and lunch keeps my energy levels up and hunger at bay during the day, then have some carbs with my evening meal - again that's what works for me and not everyone's the same but it's worth experimenting to see what works for you. Good luck!

[andrewleeone]

As Captain Jack Sparrow would remind us, "Em Be Guidelines!" start with the target from the app - they have used big data to find that figure - I didn't believe the various targets were realistic. They also varied wildly! Really confusing. Start with the target, keep records, see what happens. Its about learning what really is a healthy amount to eat, what that looks like, how to get it and feel full. but most of all its about working out for ourselves what works of us. I'm happiest at about 1400 cals - below my daily target. Too low and I struggle for energy a bit more and the weight loss slows down. Find a level that works for you but remember they are based on real experience thats work for other people just like you!

[LindaR62]

Yes I find it very difficult too. But it is worth it when you lose weight and can wear nice clothes. (And the health benefits of losing weight of course...!)

[Hidden]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Today was much easier, I guess it changes from time to day.

For breakfast I had porridge, lunch crackers and cheese and dinner mashed potato, broccoli, carrots and a small piece of chicken.

I even have calories left for dessert.