The Calorie Target Tool Said I Should Eat 1200--I'm Confused!

Help!

So, the Calorie Target tool said I should eat 1200 calories a day to get to my goal weight by the end of July. But then I read a forum post earlier that said girls under 21 should not eat less than 1500 calories a day. I'm 15, just under 5'5", and 133 lbs. I want to be 122 by July 4 (doubting that will happen, but that's what I want) and I bike a mile or two uphill nearly every morning (except the past week and next week I'll be doing a lot of interior painting and won't be able to exercise in the morning, still pretty physical work that gets me tired and sweating), so I do get some exercise and move around.

What should I do? 1200 cals or the 1500 that I'm supposed to eat?

Eat the 1500 - and that's low. Try for 1800 - 2000 per day of good calories, fruits, vegis, whole grains.

The computer only spits out information based on what you imput. You have imput an unhealthy goal, so it is giving you an unhealthy suggestion. Getting to under 130 by July 4 would be much more realistic, and with your level of exercise you could do that by staying healthy and eating what your body needs to function.

Hmm. Does it matter at all that I've been feeling fine on 1200? Or does the hunger level not really change the caloric need? I dunno--1500 just struck me as being pretty high.

Hunger doesn't affect caloric need.  1500 is not pretty high for a 15 year old.

M'kay. So, I should be eating fruits, vegetables, stuff like that? I haven't even gotten 1000 today, I think. *bites lip* Er. I should probably go get a snack.

1200 calories is a baseline low-end amount for women. For men, I think it's around 1500-1700 calories. Anyways, I took you information and did a Basic Metabolic Rate (or BMR) to see how many calories you need just for your body to function. At your current weight, it came up with 1502 calories. This is not taking into account exercise and how active you are with your exercising. For this amount:

-If you are not very active, you would need 1802 calories

-If you are lightly active (exercise 1-3 times a week), 2065 calories

-If you are moderately active (exercise3-5 days a week), 2328 calories

-If you are very active (exercise 6-7 days a week), 2591 calories.

From these numbers, you would need to see how much weight each week you want to lose. For one pound a week, shave off 500 calories a day, for 1 1/2 pounds a week, shave off 750 calories a day, etc. up to 2 pounds maximum. If you constantly take in too few calories your body will go into starvation mode, which is shorthand for survival mode. This is when your body will conserve any calories it needs for bodily functions.

you goal date is to close. thats why its giving you a low intake.

see what it allows you if you let it recommend a goal weight date.

Okay. I'll see what I can do with that.

Well, I want to lose 2 pounds a week (ya think?) so with being lightly active, I woudl need...still 1250! That's still really low!!!

The tools on this site are not designed for individuals under 21, so you definitely shouldn't restrict to 1200 or 1250.

Here is a caloric needs calculator that you can use; it isn't designed for dieting, but it will give you an idea of how many calories you should be eating.

Original Post by coreyander:

The tools on this site are not designed for individuals under 21, so you definitely shouldn't restrict to 1200 or 1250.

Here is a caloric needs calculator that you can use; it isn't designed for dieting, but it will give you an idea of how many calories you should be eating.

Exactly, they're designed for adults (as are BMI recommendations). I don't think you should be dieting so hard at your age! Esp if you don't have a lot to lose. Please don't be stressing your body out more than 1lb a week at least...

Be very careful with these online calculators. They underestimate in my opinion. You have to take into consideration your body type, activity level and just personally how you feel. I cannot go by the calculators or I would starve to death. I am 4'11" and weight 93-95LB. Was 130 years ago. I eat 1800-2300 calories a day. I maintain on that. I had to find my balance by experimenting and seeing how I feel. Do the same forget the calculators. Eat clean and balanced and you will be fine. Do count calories but just find  your sweet spot.