Can someone explain the numbers?

i didn't know how to word the question, my apologies. But I was checking to see how much my BMR was and how much I would need to lose weight.

My BMR is approximately 1,605 calories/day.

I would need to eat 2,097 calories/day to maintain my weight.

If I eat only 1,200 I have a deficit of 897.

Is 897 important? Say, I go a whole week eating 1,200 or less. That equals to over 6,000 calories. What about the 1,605 from my BMR. do I add that to my deficit? I'm very confused, and I'm sorry if my question confused you too.

Replies

  • zaxx1953
    zaxx1953 Posts: 389 Member
    If you need 2097 to maintain your weight, then simply eat under that amount to lose weight assuming a constant MR.

    You don't want to be going that low though; try something like 1650 Kcals with a good macronutritional mix.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    There are only 2 important numbers

    1) your TDEE which is dependent on your exercise and activity level and BMR is accounted for
    2) how many calories you consume

    Consume 500 calories fewer than TDEE on average per day and across the week you'll have a 3500 calorie defecit which is roughly a pound loss (measured by taking the average over 6-8 weeks)

    Ignore the rest until you get to grips with this part
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Your BMR is about 1600, you would maintain at 2100, if you ate 1200 for a week you would have a deficit of about 7 * (2100 - 1200) = 6300 so about 6000 cals in a week or a shade under 2 lbs of weight loss equivalent.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Ignore BMR, it's only used to figure out TDEE. Eat the 1200 and gauge your progress after a month.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Set your goal to .5 lb. per week for every 25 lbs. you're overweight. Undereating will not get you to goal any quicker: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_guided

    To understand how MFP works, read the Sexypants post: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1