Done it ALL WRONG for all these years; trying to start afres

shelled

Hi MFPals,

I've spent the last 2 days reading through the MUST READ thread topics for newbies and I must say they have been enlightening! However there's still some stuff I'm not too clear about.


I have realised that I had been "starving" myself in the past 2-3 years, as I eat about 800-1000 calories per day (with the occasional binge). I only found out these figures on Friday when I did my 1st food log. But I pretty much eat the same stuff all the time, so I probably never even hit 1200 calories for a long long time. :noway:

While all this was fine and dandy and I did lose some weight after the birth of my 2nd kid, I started putting on 1kg a week after I stopped breastfeeding in August. (And thus I am here to lose that weight plus some more excess.)

What I want to know now is: DO I EAT MINIMUM BMR CALORIES, OR DO I JUST EAT THE 1340 CALORIES THAT MFP HAS WORKED OUT FOR ME??


My BMR is:
- 1469 based on MFP tools.
- 1516 based on http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/
- 1508 based on http://health.discovery.com/centers/heart/basal/basal.html
- 1517 based on http://www.calculator.org/calculate-online/health-fitness/basal-metabolic-rate.aspx

I guess I can safely assume my BMR to be around 1480-1490?

My GOALS suggest that I eat 1340 calories/day in order to be able to lose 1lb/week. But since it is below my BMR, I guess it is not recommended as I had read several posts in this forum and it seems that I have to eat at least my BMR calories?


MY STATS (if they would help):
Female, aged 27 (large frame according to various elbow measurements recommended by several sites)
168m / 5'5"
71.5kg / 157 lbs (approx)
Amount of maintenance calories: approx 1840 calories a day.

I'm a work-at-home mom of 2, so my time is split between chores and babysitting, and sitting at the computer (for work and leisure). I've started working out on an exercise bike in late October, and I try to do at least twice a week (30 mins each) if my schedule allows it. I've managed to workout to 130bpm (66% of my maximum heart rate) this week, and feeling quite pleased with myself.



Can someone please help me figure out which number of calories I should be eating to overcome the "starvation mode" and still be on the way losing weight?? I know I will probably put on some pounds once I start eating right, but I don't want to go the wrong way for months just to realise I've been doing it all wrong AGAIN.

I appreciate any advice given. Thanks in advance!! :flowerforyou: