Does MFP have me eating too little? Which BMR calc to trust?

amandakev88

Here's whats going on.

MFP has me currently eating 1510 to lose 1lb per week, which confuses me, because im pretty sure you should never eat below your BMR, yet, MFP tells me my BMR is around 1605.

I checked IIFYM's BMR calculator. IIFYM said my BMR was around 1700! Meaning, again, MFP has me eating less than my BMR?

THEEEEN.. i checked this site [http://www.briancalkins.com/HowManyCalories.htm], while googling 'how many calories does my body need to function?' and it said:

"Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Most of the body's energy, about 60-70%, goes to supporting the ongoing metabolic work of the body's cells. This includes such activities as heart beat, respiration and maintaining body temperature. To determine your BMR:
For adult females - Multiply body weight by 10; add the body weight to this value.
[i.e., for a 120 lb female, 1,200 + 120 = 1,320 cal/day BMR]"

Which would put my BMR, according to that site, at 2178[!!], which seems an extraordinarily high number to need to simply SURVIVE.

So, regardless, MFP has be set to 1510 a day to lose 1 lb per week. I have my MFP settings set to sedentary, but with exercise levels set to 3X a week.

It seems, according to ALL of those calculators, I am being told to eat under my BMR.
In addition, a scoobyworkshop calculator i used from another thread, says to eat 2100 calories to lose fat at 15% calorie reduction. ARRRG

Any advice? Is this my fault? Should I have inputted something different? I'm officially confused!

ChrysalisCove

BMR / TDEE are estimations. There can & will be variation - choose a number or take an average. As far as what you should do, I suggest 1. Read the link below & 2. Pick a method, stick to it for 6-8wks, & see how you feel / look / lose. Adjust as necessary.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1058378-oh-noes-i-am-eating-below-my-bmr