Calorie goals vs BMR

shelcof

I just found the tools section and calculated my BMR, which is around 1700. But when MFP calculates my goal calories it gives me 1300. I don't understand this at all. Can someone explain the difference?

Thanks

ajbeans

You need a caloric deficit to lose weight. If you were to eat the number of calories you expend just on living, you would maintain your weight. If you want to lose, you have to eat less than that so that your body will pull the calories it needs from your fat stores, thus burning the fat and helping you to lose weight.

eillamarie

BMR means Basal Metabolic Rate. That's how many calories your body burns if you do nothing but lay in bed all day. IT looks like MFP gave you a daily calorie deficit of 500 calories-you must have programed in the very lightest activity level and 1lb a week weight loss?

MandaLee8908

If you want to lose weight, you have to take in fewer calories than you burn. Simple as that.

shelcof

Ok, but if I go with the 1300 calories, and then I exercise and burn 400 calories, that puts me up to the 1700 anyway. This is so confusing! LOL. I don't ever eat that much even on the days I exercise

erickirb

I just found the tools section and calculated my BMR, which is around 1700. But when MFP calculates my goal calories it gives me 1300. I don't understand this at all. Can someone explain the difference?

Thanks

MFP gave you 1300 based on your weekly weight loss goal, using a caloric deficit from maintenance calories. Maintenance caloires are always higher than BMR. If your BMR is 1700 your maintenance is probably around 2050 if you are set at sedentary, higher if you choose a different activity level. So if you maintenance is 2050 and MFP gives you 1300 that is a deficit of 750/day which would be a weight loss of 1.5 lbs/week. If you ate BMR cals your deficit would only be 350 and it would take 10 days to lose 1 lb.

erickirb

Ok, but if I go with the 1300 calories, and then I exercise and burn 400 calories, that puts me up to the 1700 anyway. This is so confusing! LOL. I don't ever eat that much even on the days I exercise

Yes because if you exercise you would need more calories to maintain your weight. Back to my example if your maintenance is 2050 and you burn 400, you now have to eat 2450 to maintain your weight or if you still want to lose 1.5lbs/week (750 cal/day deficit) you must eat 1700 to keep your deficit at 750 (2450-1700) which is the same as eating 1300 and not exercising to keep your 750 cal deficit (2050-1300). Essentially 2050-1300 is the same as 2450-1700. They both give you a deficit of 750 to meet your goal.

eillamarie

If you BURNED 400 calories than your calorie goal for that day is obviously higher than 1,700. It would be 2,100. So you still have a calorie deficit.

shelcof

Ok, I think I got it. Thank you!