BMR calculation check - seems low???

Dragonfly1996

Hi

Just thought I would check my BMR on here as not done so since I started in January. I am sure it was about 1800 then. However it is now telling me mine is 1260!! Isn't that a bit low?

I could just be confusing myself but I am operating on 1200 daily cals (plus exercise cals). I obviously can't lower that amount nor would I want to. I workout 5/6 times a week. I still have 13lb to lose. I have been on & off plateau for a few months.

I am not complaining as I have had a few NSVs & my fitness has improved so am doing something right. However this just seemed like a low number or am I now just maintaining?

Wondered if anyone found theirs to be like this or perhaps someone could advise if I am just confused?!!

Cheers :flowerforyou:

morganadk2_deleted

Are you eating enough? Are you eating your exersise calories?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

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

Go to the tools section and figure out your BMI:

Generally someone with a BMI over 32 can do a 1000 calorie a day (2 lbs a week) deficit
With a BMI of 30 to 32 a deficit of 750 calories is generally correct (about 1.5 lbs a week)
With a BMI of 28 to 30 a deficit of 500 calories is about right (about 1 lb a week)
With a BMI of 26 to 28 a deficit of about 300 calories is perfect (about 1/2 lb a week)
and below 26... well this is where we get fuzzy. See now you're no longer talking about being overweight, so while it's still ok to have a small deficit, you really should shift your focus more towards muscle building, and reducing fat. This means it is EXTRA important to eat your exercise calories as your body needs to KNOW it's ok to burn fat stores, and the only way it will know is if you keep giving it the calories it needs to not enter the famine response (starvation mode).

This is just a part of it! please read the link above

capriciousmoon

Well... your BMR is just how many calories your body would need if you didn't do anything at all. Larger, younger, and taller people would need more calories than short, old, and lighter.

You may be more interested in looking up your TDEE.

mikethom

The BMR calculator is just giving you an estimate of your BMR, for you to maintain your weight if all you were bed-ridden You have to factor in your activity level which even for a sedentary person is 1.2 (check out http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/) this is what MFP uses to calculate your goals... depending on your activity level your actual estimated BMR could be anywhere from 1512 to 2394 (if you are an extremely active person ). To lose a pound a week you would need a deficit of 500 calories a day... However I've heard that it's a good idea to go to 1/2 a pound a week when you are close to your goal... I've also heard that you shouldn't go below 1200 calories a day, but if you are exercising as much as you say then perhaps you can "increase" your deficit by not eating back "all" your exercise calories without ill effect. I think one think to keep in mind is that these calculations are all estimates based on averages, I have no idea what the Variance or Standard Deviation is for these calculations...

Hope this helps

TavistockToad

Hi

Just thought I would check my BMR on here as not done so since I started in January. I am sure it was about 1800 then. However it is now telling me mine is 1260!! Isn't that a bit low?

I could just be confusing myself but I am operating on 1200 daily cals (plus exercise cals). I obviously can't lower that amount nor would I want to. I workout 5/6 times a week. I still have 13lb to lose. I have been on & off plateau for a few months.

I am not complaining as I have had a few NSVs & my fitness has improved so am doing something right. However this just seemed like a low number or am I now just maintaining?

Wondered if anyone found theirs to be like this or perhaps someone could advise if I am just confused?!!

Cheers :flowerforyou:

Hi

MFP says my BMR is 1260 as well. i am 29, 5ft5 and weigh around 123lbs - i am maintaining at 123-126lbs.

i work out 5 times per week, burning 2-300 cals a session and NET 1800 cals, eating around 2000 to 2100. this works for me! dont worry too much about MFPs numbers, they are just a guide.

mikethom

I just found this nifty calculation site - http://www.cordianet.com/calculator.htm

Dragonfly1996

I generally eat back half to all my exercise calories. On days when I have done a long run I admit I am usually unable to eat even half of them back but then that's only once a week.

My BMI is now 25 so technically I am no longer overweight. I would still love to lose another 13lb so need to create some deficit still. I have changed my goals to half a pound a week which give me more daily calories & will see how that goes in the run up to Xmas. Obviously based on MFP calculations I am now eating about 200 cals a day more than my BMR!!! :ohwell: No wonder I am confused!!! :noway:

Will check out the other links suggested on here when I have PC access next & see if they help make sense of it all!!!

Cheers
DF :flowerforyou:

MelanieAG05

I just found this nifty calculation site - http://www.cordianet.com/calculator.htm

I just used this - it gives me totally different figures from MFP!