I think I finally understand BMR and Net Calories but…

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  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    New here too. So, does this mean that the 1200 cal net that MFP suggests to use is an unhealthy level? The MFP number as my BMR is closer to my TDEE (total daily energy expenditure---for other newbies). It really is confusing to me. The whole idea of "eating back" calories, "net" calories, eating too low, eating MORE to lose more. ACK! Thanks for the various calculator links. They've been very helpful in trying to figure out a healthy range.

    MFP did not suggest 1200 cals, you told it to tell you that based on activityblevel and weekly weight loss goal. Most liekely you chose 2lbs/week. change that to 1 lb/week and get more cals
  • janetteluparia
    janetteluparia Posts: 318 Member
    EVERYONE is different and while TDEE-20% is a pretty good estimate it is NOT always accurate. If I ate my TDEE as calculated I GAIN!! You have to get to know YOURSELF and then work with it. You can increase your overall calorie building capability with strength or resistance training. Lean muscle mass=calorie burning capability. That is a FACT. What it looks like is different for individuals. Starvation mode as it is tossed around in a myth. While you can lose muscle mass and lose your calorie burning capability (see above), it does not happen overnight and requires PROLONGED under fueling or as we used to say.....yo yo dieting when you could lose 10 pounds by starving yourself. If you: 1-eat some food (calories) throughout the day 2. eat adequate protein you should not reach that scary starvation mode. Listen to your body.

    I am a nutritionist BTW.
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    I wonder where the idea that something magic happens when you eat under your BMR comes from

    to the lay person doesnt it make a little sense that if you eat less you will lose? you eat more you gain more. its not really that far fetched or non-believable
  • SirBonerFart
    SirBonerFart Posts: 1,185 Member
    I wonder where the idea that something magic happens when you eat under your BMR comes from

    to the lay person doesnt it make a little sense that if you eat less you will lose? you eat more you gain more. its not really that far fetched or non-believable

    this is the best post in this thread
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    EVERYONE is different and while TDEE-20% is a pretty good estimate it is NOT always accurate. If I ate my TDEE as calculated I GAIN!! You have to get to know YOURSELF and then work with it. You can increase your overall calorie building capability with strength or resistance training. Lean muscle mass=calorie burning capability. That is a FACT. What it looks like is different for individuals. Starvation mode as it is tossed around in a myth. While you can lose muscle mass and lose your calorie burning capability (see above), it does not happen overnight and requires PROLONGED under fueling or as we used to say.....yo yo dieting when you could lose 10 pounds by starving yourself. If you: 1-eat some food (calories) throughout the day 2. eat adequate protein you should not reach that scary starvation mode. Listen to your body.

    I am a nutritionist BTW.

    Then your TDEE wasn't calculated right. The definition of TDEE is the point where you wouldn't gain or lose aka "maintenance". But what I think you are saying here is the TDEE calculators are not always exact for everyone, they calculate with a formula based on averages. You have to do some experimenting to find out your exact TDEE, but the calculators are a good place to start.
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    my bmr is roughly 2100

    I eat just about 2120 cals a day

    monday-friday i do the arc trainer twice a day and using a HRM i calculate approx 750 cals burned
    monday - thursday i swim about 500m in 30 minutes time. using MFP i figure that to be about 150 cals burned
    m-w-f i also workout for an hour - that is approx 200-250 cals burned
    Saturday i do one hour of cardio again in the 700-800 cals burned range
    sunday is my only off day

    using those numbers i should be losing about 1.68 lbs per week.
    factor in the water retention and basic weight fluctuation it is not a bad pace to travel at

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