I looked under help and I still am not understanding

I use the tools on here as often as I can get online. But I guess I didn't use them all at once until just now... and I am lost about something.

According to my burn meter tab it says that I burn 2800 cals a day, is it assuming that I exercise or is that what my body uses to be alive? When I entered my activities into my log today after coming home from the gym they added up to 1466 and my burn meter on my account page jumped up to 4030. Then, when I look at my calorie target tab it says I should eat 2050 cals a day... 

alright, forgive me if I am totally missing the point here, but if I only ate 2050 cals and I was burning 4030cals I would have a 2000 cal a day deficit here... and I know that isn't a good thing.  I have tried asking this question in other ways but for some reason it just isn't clicking with me... What is up with these numbers? What should I read to figure them out once and for all?

It depends on what you set your activity level. Did you set it on active? The best way to get the most accurate, is set your activity level on "sedentary" and then add in your work outs.

Judging from your picture, those counts seem really off.

Sounds like you're double entering your activity.  Go back into your profile and see what you checked as your activity level.  If you plan to manually log yor activities, then you must select "sedentary" as your base, otherwise you end up with a double entry.

I see from your profile you are 34, but we need height and current weight to help you out!  I agree with what the above post says about putting your level as sedentary then adding in various activities and exercises that you do. 

It sounds like maybe you have your activity set on a higher level and are THEN adding exercises manually to your activity log ?   

I am set at moderate cause I hit the gym normally 5 times a week for about 2-2.5 hours (took time off for the holidays though) and then at work I'm only slightly active as I work in a classroom full of self sufficient school aged kids, or I am at home doing housework.

I figured it was a good compromise. Maybe I will try that...

oh, and I think my pic is a little deceiving.  I am 5'8" and hovering at 238... for like forever now.

your "burn meter" is your BMR (basal metabolic rate) adjusted to whatever you said in your set-up is your activity level. However...if you put in your set-up that you are working out, and then again add in the calories of your workout-your burn meter will be inaccurate.

In addition, a 2000 calorie deficit is not bad...it's exactly what you are looking for if you want to lose weight. One pound is 3500 calories so if you had a 2000 calorie deficit every day, you would lose about 4 lbs a week (theoretically).

Again, I'd suggest checking your burn meter inputs and mke sure you aren't counting your activities twice.

Hope this helps!

what do you do in the day besides hitting the gym?? A 2000 calorie deficit isnt bad one day but if you have it everyday it will cause your body to hold onto weight instead of losing it. I am 5'9 and started at 238lbs. I began eating like 1500 calories and exercising like a maniac. I lost 38lbs, down to 200. I plateaued for 6 months. I had to increase my calories per a nutritionist ....I gained lots of weight. I now weigh 218.

My point is make sure you have your activity level set right. Only log you exercise on top of that. Example: I am a stay at home mom, I care for 2 kids ALL day, so I set my level at moderate. That takes in account  everything I do with the kids, chores ect. I also log my workout on the elliptical. That puts me at a net burn of 3000. So I eat 1800-2000, leaving myself a 1000 calorie deficit.

Hope I helped.

Original Post by jesusgirl1:
In addition, a 2000 calorie deficit is not bad...it's exactly what you are looking for if you want to lose weight. One pound is 3500 calories so if you had a 2000 calorie deficit every day, you would lose about 4 lbs a week (theoretically).

 A 2000 calorie A DAY deficit is horrible. You will set yourself back with this, and your metabolism will suffer.

Doctors recommend NO MORE than a 1000cal deficit a day.

I set my burn meter to sedentary, then add on exercise as I do it. That makes sure I don't over estimate my calories burned. 

So when I put my burn meter at moderate it is assuming a level of activity and then when I add in manually the exercises that I am doing then I am doubling up??? That might explain a few things...

Like the horrid plateau. Like the jeans that have fit the same for a year. Like the way I feel when I look in the mirror. 

So, hopefully when I change my activity level I get numbers that make more sense to me. I really don't want a 2000 a day deficit...  I figured if this had been the case I would weigh about 20 pounds by now (after 2 years of the new eating lifestyle and a year and a half of hitting the gym regularly) 

Thanks all for your help!!! 

Thank you soooo much for asking that.  I looked at help too. and couldn't figure it it out.  Your replies have helped me.  I think I'm going sedentary then add exercise.  Hope that's right.  I started yesterday.  I would hate to have been doing it wrong.

 

You've got it now mywildchild.  Either set your activity level to moderate and don't log your activities, or set it at sedentary and add whatever you do at the gym.

You were doubling up (or just wishful thinking hey??!!  :o)