Confused about BMI stuff...

SaishaLea

My BMI calculation says 1550 calories, but the goals chart puts me at 1250 calories. Why are they different?

jhardenbergh

It's set so you lose a certain amount of weight

sarah44254

BMI puts you in a range of underweight - normal - overweight - obese. It doesn't have anything to do with calories.

You are probably thinking of BMR - which is the amount of calories your body uses as fuel to do basic functions (such as breathe, keep cells alive, heart pumping, brain active - not even thinking about wiggling your pinky toe or walking to the bathroom.) BMR is the amount of cals we need at least each day to survive in a coma, is a good way to put it.

You don't really want to eat less than the BMR. What to do when creating a goal calorie range is to look at your total daily energy expenditure. You can find ways to figure that out, like in this website here:

http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html

After you find that number (the TDEE) you can subtract 500 each day for a week in hopes to lose 1 pound. (500 cals x 7 days = 3,500 cals, the amount you need to burn to lose 1 lb of fat). If you are able to subtrack 1000 cals from your TDEE and still be above your BMR, you can aim to lose 2 lbs each week. Eating anything less than your TDEE should result in a small loss, barring all hormonal challenges and water weight.

I will give you an example of my own numbers to maybe help clear this up. My TDEE (from the website) is 1981. My BMR (according to the "TOOLS - BMR" tab here) is 1,365. This means, at MOST I can try to lose 1.2 lbs a week. I should always try to eat 1,365 calories to keep my body functions going smoothly. I can eat anything between 1,365 and 1,981 each day and still (theoretically) see a loss at the end of the week. Even if it is very slight (0.1 lbs or something tiny).

If you'd like me to, I can help you find these numbers for yourself. Though this website does a decent job of giving you a goal and doing the numbers for you.

legsfordays

That's the deficit needed for you to lose weight. The number of calories they recommend for you are based on your lifestyle, exercise routine and your stats. 1,250 sounds a bit low though... when I was on a 1,200 calorie diet, I went nuts. If you exercise more, your intake will increase.

SaishaLea

BMI is what I meant! sorry...

jhardenbergh

and I think you mean your BMR, BMI is the Index number that some people determine if they are overweight. Usually ranging from 15-60

SaishaLea

I have been eating the 1250 calories for 2 weeks...I lost 6 lbs these two weeks. Problem I've started having terrible migraines...I think I need to up my calories...

sarah44254

I would definitely give eating more a try. I am curious, what number comes up when you click on the BMR tab in the tools section? Is that the 1550 you gave in your original post?

sarah44254

I read that you have an infant child. If you happen to be breastfeeding, you should try to eat more. Producing that milk is a stress on the body, literally burning calories, and causes you to need to fuel up a bit more than if you were not producing the milk. Just a thought.

SaishaLea

Yes my BMR is the 1550.
Thanks for your help!!!!!

sarah44254

My simple suggestion is to eat at least 1550 each day. good luck and hope the headaches stay away!