Where'd this magic number come from?

dovetail22uk

I keep seeing people write "you gotta eat over 1200 calories a day cos that's your BMR".

Where'd this magic number get plucked from?

If I work out my BMR (yes, I actually calculated it!) I got 1527 calories. My TDEE is 2022 so I aim for TDEE - 20% = 1618 calories

Surely everyone else's BMR is not 1200 and they just assumed it was because they read it on a post somewhere?

Someone help me!

deksgrl

1200 is not BMR. It is the minimum number of calories recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine, and a lot of medical professionals.

It is also the minimum that MFP will set for anyone. When you choose "I want to lose 2 pounds a week" (and who doesn't, right?) it is going to subtract 1,000 calories from your TDEE, to a minimum of 1200, regardless of what your BMR is.

ladyraven68

I keep seeing people write "you gotta eat over 1200 calories a day cos that's your BMR".

Where'd this magic number get plucked from?

If I work out my BMR (yes, I actually calculated it!) I got 1527 calories. My TDEE is 2022 so I aim for TDEE - 20% = 1618 calories

Surely everyone else's BMR is not 1200 and they just assumed it was because they read it on a post somewhere?

Someone help me!

I doubt you've actually seen anyone claim their BMR is 1200, you may be mis-reading the posts.

1200 is the minimum than MFP will allow,

Thee American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that calorie levels never drop below 1200 calories per day for women or 1800 calories per day for men. Even these calorie levels are quite low.

I think it comes from recommended minimm nutrition advice - if you added the calories for the minimum daily requirements of carbs, protein fat etc, it comes to 1200 calories, and anythng less may result in inadequate nutrition.

BlueInkDot

Yup. What they said.

One good way to think of it is that if you were comatose and didn't do anything all day, your body would burn APPROXIMATELY 1200 calories in 24 hours just from circulating blood, breathing, cells multiplying, etc.

That help? Hope so.

KarenJanine

1200 would only be the BMR of a pretty small person so the statement is incorrect.

MFP use it as a minimum calorie goal because it is believed to be a 'safe' amount of food to lose weight on, albeit at the lower end. Most people that set their accounts to lose 2lbs per week will be given this figure whereas actually to create the 1000 cal per day deficit needed to lose 2lbs per week this would put many people under 1200 cals but it would be irresponsible of MFP to recommend such low calorie intake.

Daysednconfused

JUST MY OPINION and you know what they say about opinions!

A lot of people eat 1200 because MFP - and so many other sources - says it's not healthy to eat below it. For the most part, I think people want to lose weight as quickly as possible so they eat at 1200 because it's considered healthy. I ate at that or below for over a year and lost quite a bit of weight. I also exercise at least 6 days a week. I just increased to 1600 because I started weight lifting 3X per week, I'm close to goal and I wanted to eat more like maintenance and I LOVE food. It's really all about what works for you as long as you are not starving yourself.

dovetail22uk

I'll just keep doing what I'm doing then!

Best advice on here I've seen is to eat in between your BMR and TDEE and it's working for me!

SteveJWatson

To me it sounds like a figure that they are covering their *kitten* by using, essentially.

I expect the majority of the populations BMR will be above that, and to consume less than BMR is dangerous.

BMR = Basal Metabolic Rate, and that *is* the number of calories you would burn in a coma, ie - the number of calories it takes to power your metabolic functions.

As you are pretty tall, OP, I would expect your BMR to be above normal.

KarenJanine

I'll just keep doing what I'm doing then!

Best advice on here I've seen is to eat in between your BMR and TDEE and it's working for me!

Yes! :drinker:

DebbieLyn63

A 50 yo women who is 5' tall has a BMR of 1173. If she is at 50% body fat, her BMR is only 1104.

Age, height, and BF% can all severely lower your BMR. As can hormone levels.


ETA, also, people with high BF% can safely eat a little below their BMR until they get into a healthier BF range. The stored fat is broken down and used for energy.