BMR question

I think you're getting TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) mixed up with BMR. 1955 is likely your maintenance range, not BMR.

So there is a lot of talk about BMR on here and most people say you should never eat under your BMR. If that is the case then why does MFP have my daily calorie goal set for below my BMR. My BMR according to MFP is 1955, my daily calorie suggestion is 1640.

Because you selected Lightly Active, so BMR 1955 x 1.35 = 2639 non-exercise maintenance.
You selected 2lbs weight loss weekly, so 2639 - 1000 = 1639 (rounded to 1640).

Now, that BMR value is inflated above the healthy weight range, unless you somehow maintained the same muscle/fat ratio as healthy study participants.

But probably not that inflated, but somewhat.

Also, to keep the deficit at no more than 1000, you notice no where is exercise in that math.

That's why you log your exercise, you get credit and daily goal goes up, you eat extra to still meet goal.

1000 calorie deficit is still there.

Other protection, while you start exercising, MFP calorie burn estimated are likely inflated slightly except for walking level. This adds on some extra on workout days so you are not going below your true BMR nearly as bad.

But follow the MFP method in that case.

Good job selecting Lightly Active instead of Sedentary, most with FitBit's and BodyMedia devices discover that fact.
You'll need to change your weekly goal loss to 1.5 lbs when about 20 lbs away from goal, but fine now.

BTW - if you know or can estimate your bodyfat% to within 5%, you can get much better BMR estimate to see how your daily goal really compares.

http://www.gymgoal.com/dtool_fat.html

And then get better BMR estimate using that stat.

http://www.gymgoal.com/dtool_bmr.html

Now, nearly as bad?

BMR, TDEE, bla bla bla... those things are so hard to track its ridiculous.. just track the food you eat and be mindfull of how much exercise you do and then adjust from there if you need to eat less or workout more to lose weight.

BMR, TDEE, bla bla bla... those things are so hard to track its ridiculous.. just track the food you eat and be mindfull of how much exercise you do and then adjust from there if you need to eat less or workout more to lose weight.

And if you under eat for your level of exercise, and your metabolism slows, and your weight loss slows - according to you that means eat less and workout more.

You just made the effect worse bucko with that sage advice.

You might want to search the forums for all the people that have done just that and stalled. It is real and can happen.

Because you selected Lightly Active, so BMR 1955 x 1.35 = 2639 non-exercise maintenance.
You selected 2lbs weight loss weekly, so 2639 - 1000 = 1639 (rounded to 1640).


Good job selecting Lightly Active instead of Sedentary, most with FitBit's and BodyMedia devices discover that fact.
You'll need to change your weekly goal loss to 1.5 lbs when about 20 lbs away from goal, but fine now.

Ok so how did you know I put lightly active I can't even find where I originally put that in lol. Two I see from your explanation why it is what it is but that basically means that saying " don't eat below your BMR ever" is incorrect information.

Three I am a long way from my goal but will keep in mind changing my weekly loss goals as I get closer. Thanx

It was the only math that worked correctly. Sedentary is 1.25 times BMR. Can't get to 1640 from that with the weight loss goal deficits available - 250, 500, 750, 1000.

You can dip below for a day, like you workout late and can't eat that much extra that night. Be willing to go higher for breakfast to still eat it back before the next workout.

And it's that day to day balance that MFP is counting on when you log your exercise and eat them back. You add a week of calories like the phone apps do, and you'll see the weekly goal is met still.

Now, if you aren't exercising, I'd recommend changing goal to 1lb weekly. You'll still lose more probably, but deep deficits without exercise does burn muscle mass.
If you keep the 2lb, do 3 times a week weight lifting, big muscles, until you can't do the lifts.
That will help maintain the muscle and hopefully not lose it. At least what you are lifting with.