Eating

Building My Food Budget – Establish Daily Caloric Intake

As I mentioned before, I’m creating a food budget.  As part of my plan to lose a pound a week, I need to establish my daily caloric intake.  (My goal is to find out just how many calories my body needs to maintain its current weight, and then eat 500 calories less than that, everyday, for an average deficit of 3500 calories a week, or one pound of weight loss.)

According to the –

FreeDieting Calculator – I need 2467 calories to maintain and 2000 to lose weight…

Cancer.Org Calculator – I need 3500 calories to maintain and 3000 to lose weight…

NutritionData Calculator – I need 3005 calories to maintain and 2505 to lose weight…

MayoClinic Calculator – I need 2500 calories to maintain and 2000 to lose weight…

FitWatch Calculator – I need 2750 calories to maintain and 2250 to lose weight…

As you can see, the numbers fluctuate according to which calculator you use.  I’m going to aim for 1800 – 2200 calories a day, but I’ll increase that a bit on days in which I engage in vigorous exercise.  I’m not going to starve myself – and I’m actually okay if I never lose another pound.  (Did I just write that?  Yes, the truth is, I’ve moderated my eating, I’m no longer gaining weight, I have lots of great friends, and I’m a pretty happy dude.  So, as the weight comes off, I’ll be thankful, but I’m no longer desperate.  Strangely enough, it was in making this connection between happiness and acceptance that I began to lose a few pounds and I stopped eating so much.  Fancy that!)

3 thoughts on “Building My Food Budget – Establish Daily Caloric Intake

  1. I’m not going to starve myself – and I’m actually okay if I never lose another pound.

    here’s hoping this post spreads the ABOVE through the blog world like wildfire.

  2. Thanks for the calculator comparison – I’ve had this experience too, but never thought to really put them next to each other, side by side. Thanks!

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