RMR, BMR, TDEE...I'm so confused!

JessicaKingerySC

I know the right balance is different for every person...but I could really use some guidance here! I kinda understand what these terms mean, but I don't know how to apply them to my actual daily calories. According to this site, fitnessfrog.com, my RMR is 1659, my BMR is 1676 and my TDEE is 2012 (very little activity/desk job). MFP has my daily goal set at 1200, plus exercise calories.

I have read several posting where people have reference these numbers and said things like "don't eat less than your RMR" or "as long as you eat below your TDEE you will lose", "1200 calories is too few, you are in starvation mode".

From your experience, based on my numbers above, what would you reccomend?? Any thoughts/suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

erinmick2

I calculated my BMR at about 1350 and TDEE at 1650 (for non-workout days, I also have a desk job). 1350 is what I essentially need for my body to function, so I've been trying to eat AT LEAST that. However, since I'm burning calories throughout the day just living and working, I put my calorie goal at 1450. That way I'm getting my necessary calories while maintain a deficit. TDEE increases when I enter my exercise into MFP and I allow myself to eat a little more based on that.

rcthale

Everyone has a different approach. My goal is my BMR, because it's a stable number. TDEE is too hard to estimate because it changes from day to day. So I eat my BMR, and I let all of my little daily activities cause the calorie deficit, walking around my office, walking around the grocery store after work, washing dishes, doing laundry, etc., all the stuff not really worth tracking.

If I set aside time to focus on formal exercise like a 30-minute walk, then I'll log that in my diary and eat those calories back.

If you do this, you have to re-calculate your BMR every time you lose a chunk of weight, maybe every 5 pounds.