I Don't Eat My BMR, is this OK?

harlanJEN

I'm glad you are asking and trying to educate yourself ....
Please don't undereat and over exercise. Our bodies need fuel and will demand it ...by adjusting to our low cal shenanigans.
I've been there, done that and am steadfastly trying to spread the word.

My profile is open .... PLEASE check out and read the info within the "stickies" at the Eat More to Weigh Less forum group. There is a link on my profile. That is how I roll. Wouldn't do anything else. This isn't my first rodeo ....

Jen

jenj1313

Well I just checked the Katch McGardle BMR and it says my BMR is 1635. SO according to that I'm doing just fine. I guess it's subjective to what my BMR ACTUALLY IS!

Well... maybe that's why it was working ;-) Interesting that MFP and the Katch McGardle were so far off for you. Note that the still don't recommend you eat JUST your BMR, though, so you'd probably be fine adding a few extra calories if you want. I'd say if what you're doing is working, stick with it for now, and if you hit a legitimate plateau, you can start playing with things then.

All the best!
Jen

yarwell

The BMR is the MINIMAL amount your body needs to function. The decrease should come from your TDEE.

OK, so help us out, BMR 1700, sedentary activity factor 1.2 TDEE = 2040. Subtract 500 calorie deficit for 1 lb/week = 1540

Decrease is from TDEE. That OK ?

harlanJEN

Eat whatever your BMR is decreased by only 10-20%. Anything over that will put your body into starvation mode and any weight loss will be temporary. When you get to less of a weight, the minimum amount of calories you can eat is 1200 NET (after exercise deductions)... because that is the MINIMAL amount your brain needs to function. However, I wouldn't recommend that. Your brain may be hungrier than the average brain!

No no no. Basal metabolic rate is the minimal calories our bodies need to function ....if in coma ....needs this. TDEE is total daily energy expenditure. We take deficit from our TDEE not our BMR. Very important difference .....

yarwell

Basal metabolic rate is the minimal calories our bodies need to function .

true, but they don't have to come from food.

So my 70 calories per hour BMR doesn't need me to eat 70 calories each and every hour. In fact if I was locked up in a container tomorrow without food my BMR would be supplied from my (ample) fat reserves.

harlanJEN

because that is the MINIMAL amount your brain needs to function

the brain uses 400 - 600 calories per day, not 1200. It still works if you don't eat for a few hours or even a day.

WHAT!!!????
NOT the way I want to treat MY brain.

sugarandspice27

because that is the MINIMAL amount your brain needs to function

the brain uses 400 - 600 calories per day, not 1200. It still works if you don't eat for a few hours or even a day.

WHAT!!!????
NOT the way I want to treat MY brain.

I suppose that would be a fabulous theory.... if our brain was the only organ we had. This is not the forum to debate the merits of a very low calorie diet, so please do not push your agenda here.

justagirl2013

because that is the MINIMAL amount your brain needs to function

the brain uses 400 - 600 calories per day, not 1200. It still works if you don't eat for a few hours or even a day.

WHAT!!!????
NOT the way I want to treat MY brain.

I suppose that would be a fabulous theory.... if our brain was the only organ we had. This is not the forum to debate the merits of a very low calorie diet, so please do not push your agenda here.

What about those of us who don't have brains? Are those bonus calories? I need some bonus calories today

mmapags

Basal metabolic rate is the minimal calories our bodies need to function .

true, but they don't have to come from food.

So my 70 calories per hour BMR doesn't need me to eat 70 calories each and every hour. In fact if I was locked up in a container tomorrow without food my BMR would be supplied from my (ample) fat reserves.

With respect, the things you advocate are irresponsible and unhealthy for all but the severely obsese and only then until they are no longer obese. The average slightly overweight person should never follow your advice.

Danielle_2013

Hiya, I started in a fairly similar place as you - 5"7, 330, reasonably young and no reason I couldn't exercise. I did a low cal diet for about 4.5 months and it worked for a loss of about 50 pounds (yes, I was hungry at times). Then as I picked up the exercise and really tightened up the diet, I couldn't lose anything at all. In fact if I cheated even a tiny bit, I GAINED weight.
About a month ago I joined here, found the eat more, weigh less group and realized that because I was eating way below my BMR, I had hit a plateau, or body had gone into starvation mode, or whatever you want to call it.. I just knew something wasn't working. So for the past 3+ weeks I've been eating over 2000 calories a day. My BMR is 1900 (ish) and my daily calorie amount is about 2300. I've lost 4 pounds and didn't gain any..though I was prepared to do so to reset my body/metabolism/whatever.
Much happier too now.. and have lots of energy for weights and exercise.

So.. eating low calorie will likely work for a while.. but you may find you stall at some point. Being able to have some variety and flexibility in your eating, even if the weight loss is slower might be nice too..

MJ7910

Well I just checked the Katch McGardle BMR and it says my BMR is 1635. SO according to that I'm doing just fine. I guess it's subjective to what my BMR ACTUALLY IS!

oh ok, then 1700 sounds reasonable... maybe a little more than that would be ok. my bmr is 1300 and i usually eat about 1800 a day. so you could go higher as long as you dont' exceed TDEE you will lose weight. my TDEE is about 2000 and i am trying to tone and lose fat so i am really focusing on a small deficit to not destroy muscle.

Helloitsdan

Well I just checked the Katch McGardle BMR and it says my BMR is 1635. SO according to that I'm doing just fine. I guess it's subjective to what my BMR ACTUALLY IS!

if you work out 3-5 times a week....

1635x1.5=2453TDEE

2453-20%=1963

Eat 1963 daily but dont worry about eating back or logging exercise.

Youll lose fat and maintain Lean Mass.

yarwell

I suppose that would be a fabulous theory.... if our brain was the only organ we had.

It was a fact that the brain uses 400 - 600 calories a day, not a theory or advocating anything.

The brain keeps working overnight and in between meals, so the input of food clearly does not need to be constant 24/7

Helloitsdan

Eat well to fuel your day.

Nutrition is 70% of weight loss.
Sleep and rest is 20%.
Working out is 10%.

Great bodies are built in the kitchen and in bed!
Dont cut cals too low so you can be happy!
We like to eat unlike some here.
Truth is you can eat almost 2k calories and lose the weight.

JeSuisPrest

Eat well to fuel your day.

Nutrition is 70% of weight loss.
Sleep and rest is 20%.
Working out is 10%.

Great bodies are built in the kitchen and in bed!
Dont cut cals too low so you can be happy!
We like to eat unlike some here.
Truth is you can eat almost 2k calories and lose the weight.

I think I'm in love with Dan, love the way you think and appreciate all your input on these types of subjects!!

Helloitsdan

Eat well to fuel your day.

Nutrition is 70% of weight loss.
Sleep and rest is 20%.
Working out is 10%.

Great bodies are built in the kitchen and in bed!
Dont cut cals too low so you can be happy!
We like to eat unlike some here.
Truth is you can eat almost 2k calories and lose the weight.

I think I'm in love with Dan, love the way you think and appreciate all your input on these types of subjects!!

Thanx!
I once ate at 1200...for 2 days.
Lots of research later I feel i've pretty much figured this stuff out.

Energy balance and hormones!
Its no longer a numbers game.
If you see the advice "a pound of fat is 3500 calories so cut 3500 cals off your weekly TDEE" RUN!!!!
It's not that simple!
You balance energy needs with hormonal needs and youll ace this!