For those who are "Mathies" like me...

SiltyPigeon

The Mathematics of losing weight:

First of all: ** I am not a doctor. Do not consider any of this to be a recommendation of any sort. I am only trying to explain the math behind weight loss. I am simply a total geek who likes math.

Consider a pound of fat to be a jar of calories in your body.
Each jar contains 3,500 calories.
One jar needs to be emptied in order to lose one pound.

For me, It takes 1565 calories per day "just to be alive" (BMR).
I know this because I know my BMR.
You can find a BMR calculator online.
With no exercise and no caloric intake* I would use up one jar every two days.
This is shown by the following mathematical equation:
3,500/1,565=2.2364
Jar/BMR= Days to Lose a pound.

Thus, I would lose one pound every two days: or half a pound per day.

If I consume 1,000 calories per day without exercise the mathematical equation looks like this:
3,500/(1,565-1,000)=6.1947
Jar/(BMR-Consumed Calories) = Days to Lose a Pound.

Thus, If I were to continue this everyday I would lose one pound every 6 days.

Today I consumed 762 calories. I was alive so I burned 1,565 calories (BMR). I burned an additional 334 calories in exercise.
This means that I put 762 calories in a jar. But I also took 1,565+334=1,899 calories out of a jar.
Mathematical equation:
3,500/((1,565+334)-762)=3.0783
Jar/((BMR+Exercise)-Consumed Calories) = Days to lose a Pound.

Thus, I would lose one pound every 3 days.

I wish to lose 30 pounds. 30*3=90

Continuing on this path I will accomplish my goal in 90 days.

*Of course, it is NOT advisable to NOT consume any calories in a day. You're body will go into "starvation mode". Your metabolism will slow dramatically causing a dramatic dip in energy and brain functioning (a huge amount of our daily "just being alive" calories are actually used by our brain!). Not only will you lose motivation to exercise, but your cognitive functioning will decrease. Basically, you will be walking around as if you were drunk. This is DANGEROUS Most doctors seem to recommend maintaining a 1,200 calorie diet at MINIMUM. I have no opinion on this matter because, as I said before, I am not a doctor, I am just some geeky girl who likes math.

RainyDayProphet

Love this! I'm just now in Algebra II after 15 years of no school. But, your post makes sense to me

emmaleigh47

Your post does make sense, but you did leave out one very important fact.
Your BMR is the amount of calories you burn if you were in a coma -- you are clearly not in a coma because you are posting on MFP and therefore are likely getting some activity.

It not advisable to ever eat below your BMR ... actually it is never advisable to eat below 1.2 times your BMR ... this will result in a slowed metabolism and although it will result in weight loss, your maintainance of that weight loss will have to be at low calories as well. Why try to do it so fast... instead eat 1.2 times the BMR of a goal weight, and you will eventually become that goal weight!

Good luck!

TrainerRobin

Your post does make sense, but you did leave out one very important fact.
Your BMR is the amount of calories you burn if you were in a coma -- you are clearly not in a coma because you are posting on MFP and therefore are likely getting some activity.

It not advisable to ever eat below your BMR ... actually it is never advisable to eat below 1.2 times your BMR ... this will result in a slowed metabolism and although it will result in weight loss, your maintainance of that weight loss will have to be at low calories as well. Why try to do it so fast... instead eat 1.2 times the BMR of a goal weight, and you will eventually become that goal weight!

Good luck!

First of all, good job at understanding the math "Mathie" ... and emmaleigh, you're right on, girl!

I hate to crash the math party, but it gets considerably more complex than this since it is very difficult to lose 100% fat (unless one is obese and performing serious resistance training). I've explained this in a recent post so I won't repost here but I encourage you to read it. Mathie -- you'll probably love it as your formula just got more complicated and it sounds like you are the one who could actually put a pencil to it all and come up with an answer for yourself! Have fun!

Link to my post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/153704-myth-or-fact-simple-math-3500-calories-one-pound-eat