BMR

_EndGame_

OK, I am but a simple man, so here is a simple question:

If I ate at my BMR calorie estimation, would I maintain weight? Eat below, you lose weight and eat above, you gain weight?

shadow2soul

BMR = Basal Metabolic Rate

" the amount of energy expended while at rest in a neutrally temperate environment, in the post-absorptive state (meaning that the digestive system is inactive, which requires about twelve hours of fasting).

The release of energy in this state is sufficient only for the functioning of the vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, brain and the rest of the nervous system, liver, kidneys, sex organs, muscles and skin. BMR decreases with age and with the loss of lean body mass. Increasing muscle mass increases BMR."

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bmr_calculator.htm

TDEE = Total Daily Energy Expenditure

BMR + Daily Activity + Exercise = TDEE (aka maintenance calories)


So in other words, if you know approximately what your BMR is and eat that calorie intake, you should still be losing weight. You don't gain weight until you eat above maintenance (TDEE). According to the Katch-Mcardle method, my bmr is 1488 (or something like that), I rarely ever eat below that amount of calories* and am losing weight.


*I will add that I don't go below often, because I'm just to hungry when I eat less than 1500 calories. I can sometimes do it for a day or to, but then I end up wanting to eat everything in sight for the next few days.

edit: Just thought I might want to add-

All online calculators for this sort of thing will be estimates. There are some sites that say its a "BMR calculator" but the numbers you get from it are more in line with a TDEE (not sure if typo, misuse of term or just bad calculations).
Some sites that will do both BMR and TDEE are:
http://www.fat2fitradio.com/
http://scoobysworkshop.com/
http://www.fitnessfrog.com/

Go4it1985

OK, I am but a simple man, so here is a simple question:

If I ate at my BMR calorie estimation, would I maintain weight? Eat below, you lose weight and eat above, you gain weight?

Yes, I believe you would maintain or lose a bit of weight because BMR does not factor in any extra activity. It would be the same if you were in bed all day sleeping.

Personally I used to (I've adjusted it because I was struggling everyday to keep under) I took off -500 calories from my BMR so that I'd build a deficit of 3500 cals/week and lose 1lb or 1/2kg.

yarwell

If I ate at my BMR calorie estimation, would I maintain weight? Eat below, you lose weight and eat above, you gain weight?

If you eat your BMR and the estimate is accurate you will probably lose weight (hormones permitting), because activity and other stuff uses calories above the BMR.

BMR is your calorie consumption lying down at total rest after an overnight fast, like an engine ticking over with all the accessories switched off.