MFP warning about eating under BMR
Replies
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Sorry to interrupt your discussion and verbal fights but THIS is exactly why I didn't post my questions on the boards for the last few months. Whenever I did two or more wannabe dieticians started fighting about who knows what and all those seeking info, advice etc are being left stunned about what there is to be fighting and arguing for...that's not a discussion for me and after reading a few pages it's become rather confusing.
Honestly MFPals who you are looking for an idea: aren't you more confused than anything?:frown:
Yeah I know, we're being horrible. I'm in the middle of exams. There's been pages of people who have been left out, I'm aware. I'll be back next week to calculating everything (but if you read through the thread it's been explained over and over again). And I keep saying I am absolutely not a professional, but I don't know anyone who this hasn't worked for who's given it a fair amount of time. BMI obese high healthy and low weights all eating above their BMR...No underweights, but I haven't bottomed out yet
And I know there's many many people who it works for.
P.S. I'd love to be a dietitian :P It's so satisfying to just say some words to someone and watch them drop weight and be happy. So far I have my mom (10 pounds), mom's friend (started her out yesterday), sister (20 pounds), and 2 friends that have lost up to 20 pounds listening to what I've said (always letting them know that I am not a professional but this is what has worked). Not to mention me following it and a ridiculous amount of MFPs who I've followed on here. This stuff is easy! ...Of course I'm sure there are exceptions (thiroid, hormonal, ED etc).0 -
I find this just so interesting. Why is it so hard to accept that different things work for different people, and that some people have lost a lot of weight eating below their BMR without any negative effects to their health??
Virtually every clinical diet trial reported seems to have people eating under their BMR and losing weight. I happen to have one open in another window, the subjects *measured* RMR ranged from 5529 to 9754 kJ/day (1322 to 2333 kcal/day) and they were fed in the range 1170 - 4710 kJ/day (280 to 1126 kcal/day) so there as no overlap between the highest energy intake of the heaviest subject and the RMR of the lightest.
( Energy expenditure before and during energy restriction in obese patients, Eric Ravussin et al, Am J C/in Nutr 1985;4l:753-759. )
With sufficient protein to avoid muscle loss and good food choices you can get all the mineral and vitamin nutrition you need, so where's this health risk that magically appears at 1200 calories or the BMR or <insert arbitrary calorie intake> ? How do these clinical investigators get their designs past the ethics committee ?0 -
Sorry to interrupt your discussion and verbal fights but THIS is exactly why I didn't post my questions on the boards for the last few months. Whenever I did two or more wannabe dieticians started fighting about who knows what and all those seeking info, advice etc are being left stunned about what there is to be fighting and arguing for...that's not a discussion for me and after reading a few pages it's become rather confusing.
Honestly MFPals who you are looking for an idea: aren't you more confused than anything?:frown:
Sorry if I contributed to that. I think yarwell said it perfectly and clearly more eloquently than I did.
I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all solution. Lots of people eat below their (estimated) BMR and are fine. I'm one of those people. It would be nice to be able to state that opinion without being met by hostility...0 -
Neither do I...you seen what I just wrote on your profileI do not believe in a one-size-fits-all solution. Lots of people eat below their (estimated) BMR and are fine. I'm one of those people. It would be nice to be able to state that opinion without being met by hostility...
and...Hostility? Who privately messaged who in a hostile manner before ever talking to me and ever reading this thread because I stated my opinion in my profile? From what you've told me the only reason you didn't want to try it is because you think you'll continuously gain weight. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Anyway, sometimes I think it's good to butt heads. Then people can see both sides, see new information that they may not have seen before on the topic, and decide for themselves. This is why I think it should be mentioned somewhere aside from the forums. Just the blindness factor that me and others have had.0 -
"Who privately messaged who in a hostile manner..."
You should go back and read my original PM.... it wasn't even remotely hostile. It took several back-and-forths before I dropped the "stunning" line 0 -
"Who privately messaged who in a hostile manner..."
You should go back and read my original PM.... it wasn't even remotely hostile. It took several back-and-forths before I dropped the "stunning" line
Lol! Sorry, I just did, looking back its not like you said anything mean. But you were pretty defensive towards someone who didn't ask to be argued with 0 -
Well I am glad we worked it out :flowerforyou:0
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Very interesting. So according to that site, here are my numbers:
Based on this formula, your current BMR is 1415 calories.
Activity Level Daily Calories
Sedentary (little or no exercise, desk job) 1604
Lightly Active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/wk) 1838
Moderately Active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/wk) 2072
Very Active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/wk) 2306
Extremely Active (hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or 2X day training, i.e marathon, contest etc.) 2540
I work at a desk all day. However, I do work out (20 minute brisk walk, and just started weights 3 days, sometimes more). So what should I set my calories too on here because I am both sedentary and lightly active. I actually have them at 1410 (that's what somewhere else told me my bmr was) right now and eat back my exercise calories.
If I set them to 1604 or 1838 do I still eat back my exercise calories or not log them?0 -
Oh man, I am so confused!0
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Oh man, I am so confused!
Just eat right at your BMR and then you will please both camps :drinker:0 -
Very interesting. So according to that site, here are my numbers:
Based on this formula, your current BMR is 1415 calories.
Activity Level Daily Calories
Sedentary (little or no exercise, desk job) 1604
Lightly Active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/wk) 1838
Moderately Active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/wk) 2072
Very Active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/wk) 2306
Extremely Active (hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or 2X day training, i.e marathon, contest etc.) 2540
I work at a desk all day. However, I do work out (20 minute brisk walk, and just started weights 3 days, sometimes more). So what should I set my calories too on here because I am both sedentary and lightly active. I actually have them at 1410 (that's what somewhere else told me my bmr was) right now and eat back my exercise calories.
If I set them to 1604 or 1838 do I still eat back my exercise calories or not log them?
I work at a desk all day. I usually walk from my car to class to my car. I just bought a pullup bar. I'm trying to not fail at that. I set mine to my Sedentary TDEE, enter exercise calories (so my walks and weights) and eat those calories back. My stats are in my profile if you want to read. I'm not afraid to go over as long as my week is around my TDEE (Last week was a bit over, sometimes I'm a bit under). That sets me at about a pound a week, but that won't work for everyone. Some will eat below their TDEE.0 -
Oh man, I am so confused!
Yes if you read too many threads on this - it will confuse you -- I've finally picked a number and am going with it. I will reassess in a couple of weeks and see if I need to adjust. It is easier for some people than others to lose - many different factors and if you let all the numbers get to you - it can be overwhelming.0 -
I'm confused to what you are confused about :POh man, I am so confused!0 -
Attention CONFUSED people: READ... read, think... read and think some more. Then you will no longer need to ask the questions and sift through all the argumentative answers. Don't be dependent on MFP's in-house calculation... and don't be dependent on picking the right "expert" to tell you what to do.
Read Lyle McDonald & Alan Aragon... because these two guys are pretty straight when it comes to science backed info.
If you will go back and click on the link I left you will see it all... the SPECTRUM OF CALORIE DEFICITS... from SMALL TO LARGE, and the PROS & CONS OF EACH.
...happy reading0 -
"Some will eat below their TDEE."
I promise, promise, promise I am not trying to keep the flame war going. But I think statements like this might be confusing.
TDEE = Total Daily Energy Expenditure - that is, the number of total calories your body burns on any given day. Unless you are hooked up to special machines and go through a rigorous scientific process, it is impossible to know your *exact* TDEE. All of the calculators on the internet are just estimates.
To lose weight, you *must* eat below your *actual* TDEE. It's impossible to eat the exact same number of calories that your body is expending and lose weight. Think about it. If you are burning an extra pound of fat per week, then your actual TDEE is 500 calories per day higher than you think it is.
When you plug your numbers into the internet and it spits out 2200, maybe your actual TDEE is 2600. Maybe it's 1800. It's impossible to know for sure except to eat a consistent number of calories for a period and see what happens. If you find yourself losing weight, congrats! You are eating below your TDEE. If you find yourself staying the same, you have found your exact TDEE. If you are gaining weight, you are above your TDEE (which isn't necessarily a bad thing if you are trying to add muscle).
If I have been confusing or argumentative, it was unintentional. The debate over whether or not to go below your basal metabolic rate (the number of calories you burn at rest) is an interesting one. But you have to eat below your actual TDEE to lose weight. (again, what you think is your TDEE might be an under-estimate or an over-estimate!!)
Peace to all.
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I wish they would! So many people on here undereat.0
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Love this idea!!!0
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There's a BMR calculator on the site if you go to tools. Personally, 1200 is a cap I can never seem to reach since I don't eat much (I try to, but how I eat I normally only eat around 800 calories.)
It just depends on the purpose. You have to know your own body - the site can't do EVERYTHING for you. It just stops at 1200 because that is the lowest recommended limit.0 -
I have several female friends that have adopted this lifestyle with me and can tell you that they have seen the best results in terms of weight (fat) loss when they eat in the 1500-1800 calorie range......Along with heavy strength training as well (which I know is another debate entirely).......
-Rob
This is what I do too!0 -
I don't think I have been doing this properly then my cal intake is ment to be 1200 I eat 1000 and exercise burns of 600 so now I look at it I'm only eating 400 after exercise is this really bad ,when I first started my diet I did find 1200 cals hard to stick to but now I'm so used to it I'm full up on 1000 a day and couldnt possibly eat any more x0
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Am I doing my math wrong? When I take 20% from 2088, I get 1671. What am I doing wrong? This is in response to what cversey told one of the MFP members whose TDEE was 2088.0
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Bump! Thanks so much!0
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I agree.
Although I don't understand why people just don't use the tools here HONESTLY and accurately. If you actually input the correct info, it's unlikely to give you "bad" numbers. The low 1200 numbers are given to people who choose "Sedentary" and "Lose two pounds a week." Almost no one is Sedentary. And unless they have 50 or more pounds to lose, they shouldn't be set at two pounds. The site will prompt you to choose more reasonably, but people override the tool.
One of the big problems these days on the Boards is the ten thousand different ways to calculate what you should be eating.
I lost over 50 pounds by using this site only. I've kept it off. I didn't go to ten different sites to try to figure things out. I did it the way this site is set up. I used all the numbers given to me. I think people make it harder by trying to speed up the process, and reading too many forum threads.
Keep it simple.
I, too, have lost a lot of weight using this site. Although, the past few months I have really been a slacker and have gained some of my weight back. I stay under 1350 calories most day but this is on Dr's supervision. Keep it simple and remember...you didn't gain all of your weight at once, you can't expect to lose it all at once either. :happy:0 -
I'm confused to what you are confused about :POh man, I am so confused!
LOL
2 yrs ago, when I found out I was pre-diabetic, the diet the Dr gave me was 1200 calories a day, which is what MFP has given me as well.
I went to the suggested link in this thread, at the sedentary lifestyle (which I am hoping will be changing to lightly active since I started C25k today), it gave me 1612 calories per day. I'll admit, staying at or below the 1200 is REALLY REALLY tough, so Id welcome being able to eat more and not sabotage myself. After doing that calculation, I came bak to MFP and changed my per week goal from 1.5 to 1 lb per week and its now closer to the other calculation.
I guess the confusion for me is that the Drs say weight loss is simply expending more calories than you take in in a day...If that were the case I'd be skinny dang it.0 -
Like many other good ideas, this one will probably not prosper due to Legal implications.
The moment that MFP starts giving specific guidelines/advice, they are exposed to lawsuits.
Sad, but true.
What exactly is stopping at 1200 cal's considered? Recommended safetly lower level.
Why offer 2lb weekly if 1lb is recommended? People want it.
How could leaving it higher cause a legal problem, or rather, give an option or warning that your goal will cause you to eat under your BMR.
And then a paragraph of what the BMR is. User can then make their own unwise decision.0 -
I don't think I have been doing this properly then my cal intake is ment to be 1200 I eat 1000 and exercise burns of 600 so now I look at it I'm only eating 400 after exercise is this really bad ,when I first started my diet I did find 1200 cals hard to stick to but now I'm so used to it I'm full up on 1000 a day and couldnt possibly eat any more x
That's because your body knows how to protect itself, it slows down and stops doing some functions of the BMR.
Staying warm, repairing muscle (building is out of the question), growing hair/skin, maintaining hair/skin, and major function, dealing with fluid levels in every cell of your body.
It also knows how to adapt by not being hungry anymore.
But there is a big difference between feeling fully fed, and your body being fed fully.
So when your body slows down to only getting 400 cals to do those functions, 1000 will become your maintenance level even if you were to exercise 6 days a week.
If you don't exercise that much, it'll balance out. You'll still burn off muscle weight though, very easily. So weight may go down.
But generally, you won't lose weight. You won't gain either. But any extra you eat is surplus now and will be probably stored as glucose/water, because a 1000 cal diet with exercise just doesn't top off glucose stores you are burning.0 -
I cannot remember where I read this but I was under the impression that for obese or severely obese individuals it is ok to eat under BMR due to much lower meabolisms and a high fat storage %.
Part false, part true.
BMR estimates on age/height/weight are grossly over-estimated on obese, because the formulas for BMR were based on participants AT healthy weight, with expected fat/LBM ratios.
So they really aren't eating under their BMR, just the over-estimated BMR.
But, their metabolism is not slow, it's actually higher than it will be when they lose weight. The mere act of dealing with all the extra cells increases BMR compared to lighter weight. Also their TDEE will be higher because more cal's to push the bigger body around.
So for obese, best to get a decent bodyfat estimate, and use Katch-McArdle BMR formula, and not net below that better figure.0 -
I think that we can find the actual TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure), after a couple of months of consistent weight loss.
For example:
In my case, I had set MFP to lose 1 lb/week (sedentary, since I hardly have been exercising)
Following the calorie limit that MFP came up with to lose 1lb, I have actually been losing 2 lbs per week, since last November.
Since one pound of fat is about 3500 calories, that tells me right there that the MFP calculations are estimating my TDEE at about 500 calories less per day than actual.
So now I can tell what my real TDEE is !! I will use that information for when I reach maintenance mode.
In numbers: MFP is setting my calorie limit at 1810 calories per day, for 1 lb/week loss
Therefore MFP estimates my TDEE at : 1810+500 = 2310
Since I am losing 2 lbs/week, when eating 1810 calories, that means actual TDEE is: 1810+500+500 = 2810 calories
Once I reach maintenance mode, I expect my TDEE will be about 100 calories less than 2810 (since at lower weight I will burn less)
Dead on best method.
Well, really best would be to record a couple weeks of food before making diet changes. What did one really eat and maintain their current weight.
And then that true TDEE divided by current BMR is your personal mulitplier, if you don't change activity levels.
But I like your method too, because you may have a certain activity level now you plan on keeping, and knowing personal multiplier, you can do that at goal weight/BMR.0 -
I agree. I thought this site was correct as i've been eating 1200, where can I go to find out my real Cals??
go online and call up BMR calculator. This will give you a rough estimate of your BMR.0 -
It just depends on the purpose. You have to know your own body - the site can't do EVERYTHING for you. It just stops at 1200 because that is the lowest recommended limit.
I'd dare suggest that the vast majority are here because they do not know their body, and frankly should NOT trust their body.
You have to have knowledge and use your mind. Do what is best, not what feels best, or you'll be back in the same boat, or off the wagon, or whatever it is.
How much time and effort is used to pick the right gym?
How much time and effort is given to go look up what BMR even means?0
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