I want to lose 15 pounds

15poundsaway

I currently weigh 126-127 pounds at 5'1'' which is right at the threshold for being overweight. I calculated my BMR which would be around 1400 calories a day needed to maintain my weight. If I eat a 500 calorie deficit, I can only eat 900 calories a day which doesn't seem very healthy. Should I lose weight by having a calorie deficit or is exercise a better idea?

Sued0nim

You eat a defecit from TDEE not BMR

lemonsnowdrop

BMR is what your body requires to stay alive if all you did was lay in bed all day. You need to calculate your TDEE and eat at a deficit from that. Btw, I'm 5'1 and maintain on 1500 ish.

malibu927

You need to calculate your TDEE (a much higher number) and take off from there, probably no more than 15% for the amount you have to lose. Your BMR is what you burn just by living, while TDEE takes into account all of your activity throughout the day.

Sued0nim

If you don't want to follow MFP then use http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

15poundsaway

Thanks! You guys are awesome.

999tigger

Id check your calculation again I got 1660 maintenance for your height and weight. You dont weight that much and you dont have that much to lose , even taking into account your height. You shouldnt eat below 1200 calories a day for nutrition reasons. If it were me then why not go 50% exercise burn + 50% food moderation for your deficit.

c1400 calories food and a 250 calorie burn per day from exercise. be warned when you dont have much to lose then weight loss becomes tougher so you might have to accustom yourself to a .5lb a week weight loss, which means you need to be realistic and patient.

Nene710

15poundsaway wrote: »

I currently weigh 126-127 pounds at 5'1'' which is right at the threshold for being overweight. I calculated my BMR which would be around 1400 calories a day needed to maintain my weight. If I eat a 500 calorie deficit, I can only eat 900 calories a day which doesn't seem very healthy. Should I lose weight by having a calorie deficit or is exercise a better idea?

Hi! Your post sounds like I could have written it! I am 127 pounds, and my goal is lose 15 pounds...I'm one inch shorter than you. MFP calculates my 2 lbs/week loss with a 1200 daily caloric intake. 900 seems low.