I’ve used online calculators that estimate I need about 1,100-1,200 kcal a day, but I’m starting to think those numbers might be off. I’m petite (between 5’2" and 5’3"). Recently, I indulged in a lot of junk food for a month (pizza, potato chips, and plenty of Taco Bell crunchwraps) and was terrified to weigh myself, but I ended up losing a pound.
I also got an Apple Watch, which says I’m burning 350-400 kcal a day without exercising, but that doesn’t seem accurate since I do dishes, cook, and walk around the house a lot.
Does anyone have ideas on how I can get a more accurate estimate of my daily calorie needs?
Step on the scale, record everything you eat for 10 days, then weigh yourself again. If your weight stays about the same, you’re eating the right amount to maintain your weight. If your weight changes, you might be eating too little or too much. This method is the most reliable way to find out how much you need to eat to stay the same weight. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best way we know.
How you managed to reach 1200 kcal per day astounds me. Your TDEEH would be higher at 1,500 calories if your weight is within the healthy BMI range, which is approximately 120 pounds for a 5’2" woman. This is assuming that you are primarily inactive. It can be higher if you’re overweight.
Even so, there are some individual differences in the number of calories your body needs for maintenance that are unique to you, particularly because some hereditary variables influence this number. The easiest method to figure out how many calories you need for maintenance is to track your calories for two to three weeks while keeping an eye on any changes in your weight.
How you managed to reach 1200 kcal per day astounds me. Your TDEEH would be higher at 1,500 calories if your weight is within the healthy BMI range, which is approximately 120 pounds for a 5’2" woman. This is assuming that you are primarily inactive. It can be higher if you are overweight.
Even so, there are some individual differences in the number of calories your body needs for maintenance that are unique to you, particularly because some hereditary variables influence this number. The easiest method to figure out how many calories you need for maintenance is to track your calories for two to three weeks while keeping an eye on any changes in your weight.