Eating below your BMR

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TheVirgoddess
TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
edited March 6 in Health and Weight Loss
I've been at this for almost 6 months now - I had no idea you weren't supposed to eat below your BMR.

I've had trouble meeting my goals (because I drank most of my calories to get obese - soda, not booze). I've finally gotten to 1200-1300 calories a day, steadily. My average weight loss has been 2.13 pounds a week. I feel great - lots of energy, no grumpiness, depression, hair loss, etc.

My BMR is 1570. TDEE is 1884.

So should I try to bump up my intake for a few weeks, see what happens? It's been such a struggle to get where I am intake wise - I've tried so damned hard to get here the "right" way. Now I'm wondering if I've totally screwed things up.

So thoughts? Am I screwed? Bump up my intake? Stay where I am? If I do bump up, should I expect a gain?

Thanks in advance guys - and sorry if these are dumb questions. Every time I think I have a handle on things - it turns out I'm wrong!

Replies

  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Are you sure you understand BMR and TDEE? For your #s to be accurate as you stated, you are sedentary and do no intentional exercise.

    If you feel energetic, are getting results - then keep going. Some say don't eat below your BMR, but there is no science to the statement. Eat enough for your nutritional needs.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    There is no reason to not eat below your BMR.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    edited October 2014
    It's hard to apply a general calculation to everyone. There are always outliers. If you are doing just fine on where you are then don't worry. My Net Calories are almost always below my BMR and I feel fine. I'm averaging roughly the same.

    However, if things start to change, you know that you can at least bump it to over your BMR first. If you do bump it up, you probably wont have a gain, but you may lose slower.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    Yes, I understand what BMR and TDEE are. I use a FitBit to do daily adjustments as needed - so I always use the sedentary setting. My exercise has to be low impact because of a brain condition, so I never burn much (mostly weight lifting and stretching/yoga).
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    I don't even know my BMR. Those numbers are generalized estimates, anyway.
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