TDEE...BMR...H-E-L-P

HokieMama4

I see people tossing out "TDEE" and "BMR" and I don't really know what they mean, how to calculate mine, and how they should impact my daily habits. Can anybody give me a crash course?

Greenrun99

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Answers are in there.

AmyRhubarb

Yes - that link in the post above has great info for finding your numbers and setting your goals!

BMR - basal metabolic rate - the amount you burn daily just existing - a hospital would give you this amount to sustain you if you were in a coma.

TDEE - total daily energy expenditure - the amount you burn daily based on your activity level - walking around, work, exercise, etc.

So BMR is the least amount you need, and TDEE is the amount you'd eat to maintain your weight. From that linked thread, a lot of folks will take their TDEE, subtract 20% from that, and that's their calorie goal for fat loss, but still making sure to net the BMR daily.

Does that help?

bathsheba_c

BMR - the number of calories you would need in a coma; includes basic biological functions, like breathing and pumping blood
TDEE - the total number of calories you burn each day; includes BMR, daily activity, and exercise

To lose weight, you need to eat less than your TDEE. This is commonly expressed as "calories in vs. calories out."

To stay healthy, you need to eat more than your BMR. The reason is that the calories that go towards eating at BMR are used for vital functions. Failure to regularly eat above BMR will result in slowed metabolism and decreased muscle mass. Failure to eat above BMR for an extended period of time (for example, due to a famine or an eating disorder) can also lead to organ damage.