BMR/Daily caloric intake for weight loss help

amariecruz89

Hi all,
I am slightly confused. My doctor told me to lose weight I should eat between 1200-1500 good calories a day and exercise, but my BMR is 1645 and my TDEE is 1976.

I am currently doing Insanity and working out six times a week. My main goal is to build a healthy lifestyle but I do have a significant amount of weight I need to lose along with that. I would like to lose at least 2 pounds a week but am not sure what my caloric intake should be. I don't want to eat too few, hindering the process, but I also don't want to undo what I have lost so far by eating too much. Can you help?

Thanks!

dangerousdumpling

I would imagine that's a blanket statement that your Dr gives to most of his female patients if he did not get into specific info on your body fat, lifestyle, etc. You definitely don't want to underfeed yourself especially since you work out a lot. Did you choose sedentary for your TDEE?

freelancejouster

With those numbers, I would definitely shoot for 1700-1800, unless what you're giving as your TDEE is actually TDEE-20% then just eat that. I'm assuming he's given you a blanket statement.

dangerousdumpling

With those numbers, I would definitely shoot for 1700-1800, unless what you're giving as your TDEE is actually TDEE-20% then just eat that. I'm assuming he's given you a blanket statement.

This is what I meant to ask but it didn't come out right. I was wondering if 1976 is your TDEE-20%.

amariecruz89

That's okay! Yes, it is. Does that number seem off?

dangerousdumpling

That's okay! Yes, it is. Does that number seem off?

I'm not sure. It does seem like you are working out pretty hard but I certainly don't doubt that you figured out your numbers correctly.

So do you think you'll go with TDEE-20% or go with your Dr's advice? Probably a tough choice since it seems like we're programmed to take our Dr's advice but now you know what your body requires.

taso42

I wish everyone would read this thread upon joining MFP
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

freelancejouster

eat right about or just below the TDEE-20% you figured before - so right about 1900-2000 cals a day if you stick with your fitness regime, you should lose at least a pound a week and likely more at the start1

karenhray7

Hi all,
I am slightly confused. My doctor told me to lose weight I should eat between 1200-1500 good calories a day and exercise, but my BMR is 1645 and my TDEE is 1976.

I am currently doing Insanity and working out six times a week. My main goal is to build a healthy lifestyle but I do have a significant amount of weight I need to lose along with that. I would like to lose at least 2 pounds a week but am not sure what my caloric intake should be. I don't want to eat too few, hindering the process, but I also don't want to undo what I have lost so far by eating too much. Can you help?

Thanks!

Your BMR is roughly what mine is and I'm on 1500kcal/day on recommendation from a bariatric specialist. Since you've more than 50# to lose, as long as you keep up your protein (to avoid losing muscle) you should be fine at 1500; your body has enough stored energy that it can function perfectly well eating less than your BMR. As you get smaller (and your metabolism decreases), you may need to increase or decrease, depending on your activity level.

Good Luck!!

amariecruz89

Thanks everyone! I'm sure it will take some experimenting to see what works best for right now.

So if I'm eating 1500/1600 a day and then work out, I eat back what I worked out, right? I realized I've been watching my food intake and not my NET ha.