BMR and deficit

millerch88
millerch88 Posts: 56 Member
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello everyone.

So, I understand that BMR is my Base Metabolic Rate, or what I burn when I'm doing nothing but living and breathing. I also know that a calorie deficit of 500 calories a day is for losing one pound a week.

What I'm confused about is that the BMR calculator for me under "Tools" says my BMR is 1409, but my daily calorie intake according to my food diary should be 1280 with a goal set of losing 1 pound per week. That's not a 500 calorie deficit.

Am I missing something?

Not sure who out there can answer this, but I thought I'd get it out there.

Thanks : )

Replies

  • withchaco
    withchaco Posts: 1,026 Member
    BMR and your exercise calories aren't the only calories you're burning. You also burn calories by sitting up, standing, walking around the house, etc.
  • SheilaSisco
    SheilaSisco Posts: 722 Member
    they base your calorie deficit off of your daily activity level AND your BMR... BMR is if you lay in bed all day and don't move. When you start moving, you start needing more calories...
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    First, you don't have enough to lose to have a deficit of 500. When you have very little body fat, you need a very conservative deficit - I would HIGHLY recommend 1/2 lb per week.

    Second, MFP has a lower limit of 1200, because that is the minimum recommended by health experts for the average woman to receive adequate nutrition. So it will not allow a guided goal of less than 1200.

    However, you have to remember that BMR is your "base" burn - it does not include calories burned in daily activities (or purposeful exercise). So your maintenance calories - the number from which your deficit is created - is higher than your BMR.

    Might help to read these:

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

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits
  • millerch88
    millerch88 Posts: 56 Member
    Thanks everyone! Those were quick answers. And yes, I'm not too concerned about losing a whole pound each week, so that's not a problem. I guess I just didn't realize that my BMR was for lying still all day. I forgot about sitting up and standing and walking, haha. Although I do have a pretty sedentary lifestyle right now, being at a desk at school most days, but I did choose that as my lifestyle when I signed up.

    So everythings good then : )
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