EDEE, BMR, WTF?

HideNGeek

Hi everyone,

I'm confused, and need something clearing up for me. I've done the calculations required to work out my EDEE and my BMR, my BMR is 1890, and my EDEE is 2267 (I work in an office).

The MFP app gave me a net calorific intake of 1370 calories per day. I've managed this for a couple of days now, but as a 27 year old father of two, it's just not enough.

So I looked into it. I gather you're not supposed to eat less than you BMR? There are conflicting websites out there but the majority of forum posts, i.e. The people who are doing what i'm doing, generally state that eating less than the BMR is a bad idea, which could explain why i'm feeling tired, hungry, and cranky.

I figured I would up my calorie intake to 2000 a day, as this is less than my EDEE I should in theory lose weight right (By my reckoning about 1/2 lb per week)?

If I exercise and burn off say 400 calories from my 2000 a day intake, that leaves me with 1600 calories a day, below my BMR, is this safe? I don't know as I would have eaten above my BMR, but then burned the calories off exercising.

If anyone could clarify i'd appreciate it. If i've not explained myself well let me know.

Thanks.

ladyraven68

Hi everyone,

I'm confused, and need something clearing up for me. I've done the calculations required to work out my EDEE and my BMR, my BMR is 1890, and my EDEE is 2267 (I work in an office).

The MFP app gave me a net calorific intake of 1370 calories per day. I've managed this for a couple of days now, but as a 27 year old father of two, it's just not enough.

So I looked into it. I gather you're not supposed to eat less than you BMR? There are conflicting websites out there but the majority of forum posts, i.e. The people who are doing what i'm doing, generally state that eating less than the BMR is a bad idea, which could explain why i'm feeling tired, hungry, and cranky.

I figured I would up my calorie intake to 2000 a day, as this is less than my EDEE I should in theory lose weight right (By my reckoning about 1/2 lb per week)?

If I exercise and burn off say 400 calories from my 2000 a day intake, that leaves me with 1600 calories a day, below my BMR, is this safe? I don't know as I would have eaten above my BMR, but then burned the calories off exercising.

If anyone could clarify i'd appreciate it. If i've not explained myself well let me know.

Thanks.

Try this - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/538381-in-place-of-a-road-map?

amy4586

I've been eating at, close to, and sometimes over my BMR. I lost 4 pounds like it was nothing (after weeks of not losing anything at 1200 cals).

A good friend on here convinced me to eat at my BMR ( I was eating 1200 as a newbie). If you feel cranky and sluggish ur body needs more fuel. This isn't a race. The weight will come off but in order for this to journey to be successful you have to make this a managable life style change. You can't do that if you're hungry all the time ;-)

erickirb

As a man your net cal should never be below 1500-1600, the 1200 min is meant for women (and it too low for most of them). That being said here is a guide for setting weekly weight loss goal:
If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

getsveltEagain

I figured I would up my calorie intake to 2000 a day, as this is less than my EDEE I should in theory lose weight right (By my reckoning about 1/2 lb per week)?

This would be the rough calculation!

If I exercise and burn off say 400 calories from my 2000 a day intake, that leaves me with 1600 calories a day, below my BMR, is this safe? I don't know as I would have eaten above my BMR, but then burned the calories off exercising.

I would recommend that you then eat those exercise calories because you have given yourself the deficit for half a pound lose in your calorie goal. If you want to lose more than half a pound, I suggest eating at least you BMR each day and eat some of your exercise calories but leave a larger deficit because of your workout calories.

dansls1

Ultimately the answer is all those calculations are estimates. Only you can really figure out your BMR - and only by listenting to your body.

That being said, I started at 230 lbs (I'm 5'8.5", yes 8.5). My BMR at that point was calculating at like 2500 calories or some BS. I have been eating around 1500-1800 (up and down a bit) for 10 weeks and down 31 lbs. I am not eating back exercise calories, so I am often showing 1200 or so net calories (MFP warns me if I'm at 1199 net - but I don't worry about it). I am feeling great, generally more energy and less tired and definitely showing the results. My point is my BMR probably is realisitically like 1650 or something - and was that at 230 and will be that if I get down to 170 or less - since it is based on my bodies lean mass, which will be different for everybody.

Ultimately unless you have a professional health and diet expert calculating all this stuff, it is all estimates - your body is what needs to figure it out. By your post, I am assuming your current calorie intake is a bit low.