After 123 lbs lost, I still don't understand. plz explain!

Melis25Fit

Ok. I know there are threads out there that explain this, but I still feel like it's complicated and I can't wrap my head around all these
BMI
BMR
NET
Blah blah blah. What do all these mean, and what am I really supposed to be paying attention to, and how am I EVER going to figure out what is right for me right now? I still don't know if zig zagging is best, or heck, even about the level I should set my calories to each day! It's driving me nuts. I see different things, and read different topics on here, and I'm trying to make it apply to me, and honestly, I just need help.
This is me.
5'6"
Starting weight 284. Eeek. (3 years ago.)
Current weight 160.
Been gaining and losing same 5 lbs for 2 months-ish.
Eating between 1300-1500 calories (yes that is including excersice calories)
I w ork out EVERY DAY - Cardio every day between 30-60 mins
Weights 3x week 45 mins.

Now help me figure out/tell me what I should be doing, because I've got 20 lbs that need to go yet!!!!

ivyjbres

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_Mass_Index
(outdated BS, you can ignore it)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basal_metabolic_rate
Nice to know, but you can loose weight without being familiar with it. Great job, BTW.

erickirb

Ok. I know there are threads out there that explain this, but I still feel like it's complicated and I can't wrap my head around all these
BMI
BMR
NET
Blah blah blah. What do all these mean, and what am I really supposed to be paying attention to, and how am I EVER going to figure out what is right for me right now? I still don't know if zig zagging is best, or heck, even about the level I should set my calories to each day! It's driving me nuts. I see different things, and read different topics on here, and I'm trying to make it apply to me, and honestly, I just need help.
This is me.
5'6"
Starting weight 284. Eeek. (3 years ago.)
Current weight 160.
Been gaining and losing same 5 lbs for 2 months-ish.
Eating between 1300-1500 calories (yes that is including excersice calories)
I w ork out EVERY DAY - Cardio every day between 30-60 mins
Weights 3x week 45 mins.

Now help me figure out/tell me what I should be doing, because I've got 20 lbs that need to go yet!!!!

Set your goal to lose 1lb/week and eat your exercise calories.

BMR is how much you would burn a day in a coma and maintain your current weight, BMI, you don't need to know, and should just ignore, it is used wrong anyway. As for NET your net calories for the day should equal your goal so your remaining calories = 0.

hpsnickers1

Ok. I know there are threads out there that explain this, but I still feel like it's complicated and I can't wrap my head around all these
BMI
BMR
NET
Blah blah blah. What do all these mean, and what am I really supposed to be paying attention to, and how am I EVER going to figure out what is right for me right now? I still don't know if zig zagging is best, or heck, even about the level I should set my calories to each day! It's driving me nuts. I see different things, and read different topics on here, and I'm trying to make it apply to me, and honestly, I just need help.
This is me.
5'6"
Starting weight 284. Eeek. (3 years ago.)
Current weight 160.
Been gaining and losing same 5 lbs for 2 months-ish.
Eating between 1300-1500 calories (yes that is including excersice calories)
I w ork out EVERY DAY - Cardio every day between 30-60 mins
Weights 3x week 45 mins.

Now help me figure out/tell me what I should be doing, because I've got 20 lbs that need to go yet!!!!

Have you dropped your weight loss goal down (1lb to .5lb)? This will bump up your calories some. Depending on how heavy the weights are and how much protein you are taking in you could be gaining a bit of muscle mass while losing fat mass and that won't show up on the scale. And increased muscle mass means you need more fuel for your body. It's burning more. Give your body at least one day of rest to re-coup from the stresses of cardio exercise and calorie restriction. Too much exercise and your body will just fight to protect itself from the stress. You can even try switching your routine around a bit, maybe alternate the cardio and weights each day. The body is really good at adapting - keep it guessing!

BMR is the bottom number your body needs just to function (this goes up when you get out of bed in the morning!)
BMI is just a height/weight ratio. It's doesn't necessarily tell you anything (bodybuilder have BMI's that would be considered obese).


Don't know if this will help you but they are some options.

ladyhawk00

Might help to read these threads (some good explanations of how to figure out deficits, goals, etc) so YOU understand the numbers and know why you're doing what you're doing.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits

And, as Eric said - Net should be at least 1200, and ideally should match your initial daily goal.

ETA: And a big congrats on all of your hard work so far!! :flowerforyou: