RDI when you're big

I've been trying for the last few days to meet the RDI that the fatsecret calculator has set for my info and I find it an impossible task! I'm eating twice as much as I usually do and it seems too much and like it won't really lead to weight loss. It's freaking me out! Of course in the past I've actually gained weight when I restricted my calories to 1200 for several days. Any thoughts out there? Have any of you who's had 100 lbs or more to lose had success using the RDI?

When I started on FatSecret I posted the exact same question, but never figured out where to find the answer - not even sure anyone actually replied. I was suggested to eat 3300 calories - which in my book is a TON of food. I decided to cut 5-600 calories off it, and go for it. Well, it worked. I will say, that the lowest I have eaten as my "own" RDI is 1700, up until today. I reached my goal today, and I am now adjusting my calories - I wouldn't recommend going much lower - and definitely we aware that most people here believe that under 1200 is a definite no-no.
I think it's mostly about finding a level where you feel that something is happening, and where you stay healthy.
I hope this answer helps you out - and best of luck on your journey.
Feel free to ask anything in here - it's an extremely friendly pack of "losers" and you're always welcome to add me as a buddy.

Sincely,
Keld.

Thank you for responding Keld and congratulations! What an accomplishment! I'm feeling really motivated by your success and truly appreciate your taking the time to share your own successes and opinions with me. I guess it’s just trial and error. For me this is about a new way of living so I'm going to have to allow time for adjustments. Thanks and the best of luck in your "post goal" phase.

webmd (website) has a calculator that seems a bit more realistic than this one. Mine calculated pretty high on FatSecret, too.

@blueyedgirl:
With the right mindset and the will to "do things right" you will get the calorie counting (or which ever diet system you choose) under your skin in the matter of a few weeks. Sure, it's a pain. Sure, it's tedious. Sure, it WORKS! Just get used to it as a new way of living. For me, I wouldn't ever consider putting anything eadible in my mouth before adding it on FatSecret.
If you have a smartphone, I highly recommend that you get the app for it - it is a superb tool and for me an absolute neccessity.
And if you feel like more movtivation than just my success, check out this thread:
http://fatsecret.com/Community.aspx?pa=fp&t=48583

Congrats, Kingkeld! That's quite the accomplishment!

Blueyedgril, I definitely agree that checking other other calculators is a good thing- they'll all tell you something a little different so maybe try a few, average them out, and use that as a starting point? Freedieting.com also has a good one:
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Google BMR calculator and you'll see a ton of them that way- just keep in mind that BMR isn't the same as your RDI, but its just a simple calculation to figure it out.

I'll echo what gnat said - particularly to remember the difference between BMR and RDI (BMR tells you what you burn while basically at complete rest, and your RDI depends on your BMR + all the other energy you burn throughout the day).

Also - as a very very quick estimate of the calorie ballpark to be in, assuming you're not very active OR inactive, multiplying your current weight by 10 to 12 will (for most people) yield a range that has a reasonable calorie deficit.

I'll add that common sense goes a long way here. If you feel like you are eating too much to lose weight, you probably are. There's nothing magic about the online calculators and the approximations they provide; they are just tools to aid you with weight loss.

Ditto this. And don't rule out a strategy that has never failed me...trial & error. Use the different online calculators to get an idea of what your RDI should be, then use that to pick a number to shoot for every day. Log all your food & try to meet that target as consistently as possible. Give it 3 weeks to make a good assessment then adjust up or down as needed.

If, after trying tips others have mentioned, you are still having a difficult time with this try going to a nutritionist. They can take many measurements an online calculator can't and give you more accurate information. That is what I ended up doing and it has helped tremendously! Good luck

@blueyedgirl - When I started my weightloss journey, this is the route I took. I had several visits to a nutritionist to help me get started. Her advise to me was to maintain a caloric intake between 1800 to 2000 calories per day. I haven't gone over 2000 calories but a handful of times since January. I guess this amount of calories could be different for everyone. Good luck.

I also started around 1800-2000 calories a day + 3-4 days a week of elliptical at the gym. Lost about 40 lb that way. The trick is to keep trying harder. When exercise becomes easier, push yourself. You do have to adjust your calories as you lose weight. I kept increasing my exercise too.

I think the calculator here is decent as long as you tell it you are sedentary and never enter any activities other than focused exercise (so no standing, sitting, driving, etc)

I definitely underestimated what I was eating at first. It sounds so simple: enter what you eat. But it's a bit more complicated. It wasn't until I got a food scale that I found out I was "guesstimating" rather incorrectly. I would recommend measuring as much as possible. Don't forget to enter the oil or butter- it adds up quick.