Which BMR do I use?

candicejn

I get two very different numbers when I do calculations for both Harris and K-M BMR levels.

Harris - 1832
K-M - 1410

So which one do I use??? TDEE for lightly active is 2507 (I work out 5 days per week, average burn 175 - 250 cals - I figured this fit better with lightly active since it's not mega burns). Based on that, if i took 20% off (since I have so much to lose), I'd be at about 2000 calories total per day for a goal.

I'm currently set at 1600 net plus eating back exercise cals, for 3 weeks. I've lost about 1.4 total in those weeks. I'm kinda scared to go higher But my metabolism is messed up due to eating badly, eating too little (1200-1300 from October - March), and having Hypothyroidism (which is currently under control with meds).

Suggestions please? Thanks

justagirl2013

Did you use the formula that's in this thread?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/512956-tdee-what-is-it-and-why-you-should-not-eat-below-your-bmr

That will give you the BMR to use

twinmomtwice4

I had the same exact issue with my BMR numbers! Did you get those numbers from the Fat2FitRadio site? And if so, did you use the military body fat calculator?

My problem was I used the military body fat calculator and my BMR numbers were way different than the other sites were giving me and from what I got using the Harris formula. Then I read on here from several people that the military BF calculator is not as accurate for women.

My husband found a hand-held BF analyzer that he had forgotten about and I recalculated my BF based on that and my numbers were more on target with what I found on other sites.

So depending on which BF calculator you used, you can figure out which BMR is more accurate for you. Or you can always go with an average between the two if you're completely undecided.

candicejn

I had the same exact issue with my BMR numbers! Did you get those numbers from the Fat2FitRadio site? And if so, did you use the military body fat calculator?

My problem was I used the military body fat calculator and my BMR numbers were way different than the other sites were giving me and from what I got using the Harris formula. Then I read on here from several people that the military BF calculator is not as accurate for women.

My husband found a hand-held BF analyzer that he had forgotten about and I recalculated my BF based on that and my numbers were more on target with what I found on other sites.

So depending on which BF calculator you used, you can figure out which BMR is more accurate for you. Or you can always go with an average between the two if you're completely undecided.

Yes, I used the Military calculator at Fat2Fit. I just don't want to calculate it using the 1800 number if I should be going by the 1400, you know?

Thanks for the reply

candicejn

Did you use the formula that's in this thread?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/512956-tdee-what-is-it-and-why-you-should-not-eat-below-your-bmr

That will give you the BMR to use

Great, thank you so much, I'll go read it now

candicejn

Ok - so forgive me but I just want to make sure I'm looking at this right. :flowerforyou:

According to the post referenced above, my BMR is 1824, TDEE is 2507 using the calculator linked in the post. A 15% cut would be about 2130, 20% would be just about 2000. So according to this, I should continue my activity of 5x per week, eat at least 2000 calories per day, and not eat exercise calories back unless I drop below 1824 net? On my cardio days, I burn about 250 - 300 on average (increasing as I get further into C25K), so I'd need to eat more back on those days, closer to 2100.

The reason I'm looking at a 20% number instead of 15% is because I have so much to lose. Is that a bad idea? Should I just go right to 2130 daily and continue activity as usual?

It just seems so HIGH for someone with so much to lose, but I understand the science behind it and would love to be able to get my metabolism on track now so I have a better chance of getting this weight off and keeping it off.

Thanks for any replies

twinmomtwice4

Okay, so it sounds like you've settled on the 1824 BMR and 2507 TDEE then.

If you're going with a 20% cut, yes you would eat 2000 calories a day at minimum. If after you exercise, your net food intake goes below 1824, then you should eat back enough calories to at least get above your BMR. So make sure on those days, you NET 1824.

I'm sticking with a 20% deficit because I have about 40 pounds to lose. If/when I hit a plateau, I will go with a 15% deficit.

I know the amount does seem high but you have to just trust that this works. Go look at the before/after picture thread or just look at some of the more experienced people here's profile pictures. All I have to do is look at those pictures and it sets me straight!!

candicejn

Okay, so it sounds like you've settled on the 1824 BMR and 2507 TDEE then.

If you're going with a 20% cut, yes you would eat 2000 calories a day at minimum. If after you exercise, your net food intake goes below 1824, then you should eat back enough calories to at least get above your BMR. So make sure on those days, you NET 1824.

I'm sticking with a 20% deficit because I have about 40 pounds to lose. If/when I hit a plateau, I will go with a 15% deficit.

I know the amount does seem high but you have to just trust that this works. Go look at the before/after picture thread or just look at some of the more experienced people here's profile pictures. All I have to do is look at those pictures and it sets me straight!!

Thank you so much for replying. I know it's all just simple math but sometimes I still need someone to tell me I'm on the right path

Off to update my goals....

twinmomtwice4

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised next time you do your measurements!!! Stick with it...you'll see!! :bigsmile:

candicejn

That would be awesome. Even though I've lost 36lbs, my measurements haven't changed too much overall. If this helps me lose inches that would make me a very happy lady (even if the scale doesn't change much at first).

:happy:

SweatpantsRebellion

It sounds like you have your initial question answered, but I just wanted to pipe in here with some encouragement. I've been eating 2600 calories a day (once I tack on an extra 300 for breastfeeding). Some days I'm a few hundred under that and on heavier workout days I have to eat more. My BMR is in the 1700ish range depending on which calculator is used. So I always make sure I net above 1800 to be on the safe side. I also have quite a bit to lose and I've been losing at a nice and steady rate!

I will say that it kind of freaked me out when I manually adjusted my calories and MFP told me that I would be losing 0.1 lbs a week. Also it throws off the whole "In five weeks you will weigh x amount." But just be confident and stick with it. It does work! And I'm never hungry - always satisfied. Some nights I have a glass of wine and a square or two of dark chocolate before bed because my calories aren't up high enough.

candicejn

It sounds like you have your initial question answered, but I just wanted to pipe in here with some encouragement. I've been eating 2600 calories a day (once I tack on an extra 300 for breastfeeding). Some days I'm a few hundred under that and on heavier workout days I have to eat more. My BMR is in the 1700ish range depending on which calculator is used. So I always make sure I net above 1800 to be on the safe side. I also have quite a bit to lose and I've been losing at a nice and steady rate!

I will say that it kind of freaked me out when I manually adjusted my calories and MFP told me that I would be losing 0.1 lbs a week. Also it throws off the whole "In five weeks you will weigh x amount." But just be confident and stick with it. It does work! And I'm never hungry - always satisfied. Some nights I have a glass of wine and a square or two of dark chocolate before bed because my calories aren't up high enough.

Thank you so much for this. It's great to hear success stories when I'm starting something new, and in this case, a bit scary! :-)