How does being short equal having to eat less calories?

angrodriguez92

Little cars often require less fuel than trucks to operate, correct?

Short people are like little cars.

ixap

I was just confused over the amount of restrictions some of the shorter ladies seemed to be placing on themselves.

Some people are not only short but also have naturally slower metabolisms than others, and/or have relatively little muscle mass even for their height, and/or don't exercise much or at all. If several of the above apply to someone, they may have to restrict to a pretty low number to lose.

janessafantasma

Little cars often require less fuel than trucks to operate, correct?

Short people are like little cars.

That is the cutest analogy ever. I just pictured myself as a little car put putting around, ha.

janessafantasma

I'm almost 5'4". My estimated BMR is 1380. If I were the exact same weight but 5'0", my BMR would be 1316. 64 calorie difference. If I was 6'0" and the same weight, my BMR would be 1507. Almost 200 calories more than if I were 5'0". Short people generally burn fewer calories, same for older people. Next year my BMR will be lower even at the same weight.

Everyone has to "restrict" calories to lose weight. Meaning your calories have to be under your Total Daily Energy Expenditure, which is related to BMR. A person who is 5'0" does need to eat less than a 6'0" of the same weight to lose or maintain. Not a LOT less, but less. (Seems like about 75 calories difference for moderate exercise)

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator
http://www.quickbmr.com/what-is-tdee.html

Thanks for the information, this is the kind of info I was looking for. Thanks again

angrodriguez92

Little cars often require less fuel than trucks to operate, correct?

Short people are like little cars.

That is the cutest analogy ever. I just pictured myself as a little car put putting around, ha.

Like a tiny green volkswagen beetle. That was my intention =P

quixoticmantis

I'm 4'11", and weigh 104 lbs. Lost the majority of my weight at 1,395 cals and now I'm maintaining at 1600. My activity level is set at active though, on my feet running about 9-10 hours a day ( I'm a licensed veterinary technician ). I think it really depends on the person, activity level, and metabolism. I don't know....it's worked for me

I was MISERABLE at 1200 cals a day, and I only lost about 5 lbs at that intake then I stalled. Weight loss started again when I upped my cals.

Stephers517

I was told by a health and fitness expert that regardless of height, weight, or age, a person should eat no less that 1200 calories per day. The only exception to this is if a person is being closely monitored by their doctor and are on a less than 1200 calorie diet as per instruction.

amsohs85

I've never heard anyone say that a short person must eat less then 1200 to lose weight. Like others on here have already mentioned it is a combination of factors. Regardless of your height and body composition you will gain weight if the calories you take in are more then the calories you burn. Reverse that and you should see weight loss. I have two friends on here who are diabetic and they take in 1200 hundred a day with careful restrictions on their carbs under a doctors supervision and both have lost weight. One no longer reguires meds for diabities and the other just had her BP meds reduced.

The real goal should be to eat as healthy as possible, increase your activity level and not deprive yourself. Everyone i know who has followed these three things has lost weight and improved their health!!

janessafantasma

Little cars often require less fuel than trucks to operate, correct?

Short people are like little cars.

That is the cutest analogy ever. I just pictured myself as a little car put putting around, ha.

Like a tiny green volkswagen beetle. That was my intention =P

Perfect! I drive a tiny purple VW Beetle.

FlaxMilk

Also, to the other poster, I eat close to 1700 calories a day, and I've lost 25 lbs and I'm only working out at a moderate level. I am looking to lose weight and I have been actively losing weight eating that many calories a day.

But how much do you weigh right now? That makes a big difference in how much you can eat and lose.