How many calories do you aim for a day?

[SkinnyErinn]

Less than 1000. Some really bad days I have 1300, but most days I hover between 850 and 950.

[meaganxcore]

Hmmm. It says I can have fat loss at 1500 and extreme fat loss at under 1200. I am going to aim for 1200-1400 cal/day. No more than 1400 is key. I have achieved weight loss on that plan before. Problem is, it's difficult for me to maintain. I might try the "zig zag" thing where I am allowed more calories somedays as long as I eat less other days.
Today was my 1st day and I ate 1700. Not so hot but better than I have been eating in the recent past. And I worked out. I'm trying to focus on the positive here!!

[tandoorichicken]

@meaganxcore,

I think the key with zig-zagging isn't so much that you balance overeating on one day with undereating on another, but to match up the amount your eating based on the activity you do on any given day. For example, if you workout every other day, then maybe you shoot for 1700 on your workout days, then 1300 on your off days. That way you optimize fat loss while still allowing your body to recover from the exercise.

-Nik

[avelina]

I'm aiming for around 1800 per day. I have 27 more pounds to lose and I've set my goal for the end of 2010-totally achievable. I couldn't cut any less than that because I want to keep my nutrition up and stay healthy, not just see a smaller number on the scale. My plan is a healthy, maintainable diet and I exercise three times per week, plus walking daily on my dinner breaks at work. I'll be riding my bike more for fun now that summer is getting closer

[hrustang]

It is clear to me and I'm sure many others that those of you who are eating 1200 calories and less NEED to go talk to a nutritionist in the worst way. It is IMPOSSIBLE for you to be getting the nutrients your body needs to be healthy.

If available, you should also go get your basal metabolic rate checked. Your BMR is the minimum number of calories your body needs to sustain itself if you are completely sedentary. To give you an idea. I'm a 29 yoa male, in average physical condition, weighing 190 #'s. My BMR was 1,950 calories. Now, figure in that I workout and am active everyday and you can figure that I use more calories than this. My nutritionist has me at 2100-2200 calories per day. This is very sustainable and I'm still seeing improvements.

Your body needs the nutrients and calories from food to be healthy, and you are NOT getting it if you're eating 1200 calories/day.

[hrustang]

Originally Posted by SkinnyErinn

Less than 1000. Some really bad days I have 1300, but most days I hover between 850 and 950.

OMG....you need to go see a personal trainer, nutritionist and Dr. before you do major damage to your body! And I apologize if I sound brash, but somebody needs to say it to help you out.

[jonr71]

SkinnyErin - your body is currently burning muscle tissue to sustain you. You re probably only burning a little fat. You are unlikely to lose weight in a sustainable manner because your body will give up on you. You really need to listen to the advice on here and start realising that starving your body is the road to ruin. The days you describe as "bad days" are the best ones for you.

[RGInCanada]

Originally Posted by SkinnyErinn

Less than 1000. Some really bad days I have 1300, but most days I hover between 850 and 950.

Your most effective weight loss will come when you consistently eat roughly 20% under your daily calorie burn.

When you drop below that, your body becomes very effective at conserving energy, and asking for more food. (lethargy + cravings). That is a recipe for falling off the wagon and regaining all the weight you've lost.

It didn't take six weeks to put on the extra weight I'm carrying, its gonna take a lot longer than six weeks to take it off!

Good luck!

[lovepartyenjoy]

Originally Posted by Meghann29

this site tells me to eat 2826 calories a day to loose 1 pound a week. i just divided it in 3 to loose 3 pounds a week. to 942 calories a day...Ill see if it works

Meghann,

I know this is an older post, but since I didn't see that anyone replied, I wanted to...well...correct your math?

To lose 1 lb a week, you have to eat 3500 fewer calories a week, or 500/day. According to the calculator you used, the number of calories you need to lose 1lb is 2826, so to lose another 2 lbs a week (3 total) 3500*2=7000 calories a week. This means you need to eat 1000 fewer calories a day, which would be 1826, not 942 Just don't want you to get frustrated by not losing weight because you're eating too little!

I hope you've been doing well the last month and a half and don't even need my math!

Deb

[leahbug50]

Hi...I've been using Fitday since July 14th, 2010. I've found it to be most useful in counting calories. I see this thread has not been updated for a while but thought I would add my two bits worth and see if anyone responds. I am a 50 year old woman and have approx 45 lbs to lose. I have been getting great inspiration from reading Sean Anderson's blog. He started at 505 lbs and eats 1500 calories a day and is down to approx 230 lbs. I am eating between 1200 and 1300 calories a day and I'm dropping weight nicely. I'm not hungry and it just forces me to make better choices of what I am eating.