Calories question - probably overthinking this

ebaymommy

OK, so I'm just getting started with NR (did stage 1 workout B2 last night, so I'm a mere 4 workouts in). I need to clean up my diet a bit and probably dial back on the carbs. I ran a marathon in June and the couple months leading up to it I was eating a lot of carbs to support my running. I always have a hard time cutting back after that. *sigh*

Anyway, I was plugging in the numbers for figuring out calories in the NR book and I have a couple questions:

1) would you go by the RMR # figured in the book or by a BMF (if you have one)?

According to the book calculations my RMR is 1200. I've been wearing a BMF for about 5 months and it has my resting burn at 1 calorie/minute which comes out to 1440/day.

2) If you are close to the age cut-off would you go with the one that gives you more calories or less? The book has it divided by "under 35 yrs" and "Over 35 yrs". I'm 34.5 years old. Of course I want to go with the one that gives me more food. LOL!


Here's what I multiplied out:

* Going by the book RMR of 1200 and using the under 35 yrs
- no workout 1,920
- active workout day 2,160

* Going by my BMF RMR of 1440 (I rounded down to 1400) and using the under 35 yrs
- no workout 2,240
- active workout 2,520


* Going by the book RMR of 1200 and using the over 35 yrs
- no workout 1,680 (*whimper* - I feel like I would starve on this)
- active workout day 1,920

* Going by my BMF RMR of 1440 (I rounded down to 1400) and using the over 35 yrs
- no workout 1,960
- active workout 2,240

**********************

And just to give a little insight I'm 5'5", weight hovering around 122-125, been maintaining since late April eating an average of 2300/day and doing a crap ton of cardio (running) and pretty much no lifting. I'm ready to shake up my routine a bit and really enjoying NR so far. Just trying to figure out the best plan for my food - want to eat enough to fuel my workouts but I'd also like to shed a few lbs...my ticker officially shows 120 but I haven't seen that # in a couple months.

juicemoogan

I would go with your BMF because its actually measuring your body the book is just an estimate. If you have a more accurate tool.. then use it.

If you are maintaining at 2300 and you want to lose, i'd try the lower cal rate first...

TheFunBun

Totally agree with Juice!

I think you should eat at or just under maintenance as decided by the BMF numbers.

I bet you'll shed those few lbs just from the BMF's weight lifting inaccuracies - it always says a little lower than any calculation just because there's not much movement - and if you only start sweating buckets half way in, well you know. Also, be sure to put it on your calf once you get to HIIT.

ebaymommy

Thanks ladies. I ate at just under 2000 calories yesterday (like 1980-something) and OMG I felt so hungry! I am just too used to my extra treats (and extra carbs) from marathon training. I think I just need to suck it up and get through a few days of slightly lower calories and then I'll adjust.

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

I think NROLFW is rather low--my exercise day would be 2000 Mac by those calculations and I eat more than that to maintain.