BMR vs. Suggested Fitness/Nutrition Goals

mommyshortlegs
mommyshortlegs Posts: 402 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Having lost a few pounds, I reset my diet/fitness profile and MFP suggested a new daily calorie limit of 1,240; however, it also suggests my BMR is 1,287. Which number should I follow?

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Having lost a few pounds, I reset my diet/fitness profile and MFP suggested a new daily calorie limit of 1,240; however, it also suggests my BMR is 1,287. Which number should I follow?
    The calorie intake is what it suggests, the BMR is part of the calcs of how it arrived at that. They're so close anyway it's a moot point.
  • mommyshortlegs
    mommyshortlegs Posts: 402 Member
    Hey, 47 calories is 47 calories, esp. when I try to consume no more than suggested but at least that much. ;)
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    A BMR estimate of 1287 means there's a 70% chance your actual BMR is between 1160 and 1400 without any reduction on account of dieting. Don't overthink it :-)
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    That seems pretty low... I'm suspicious of both actually. What did you set your weight loss goal? How many lbs per week?
  • mommyshortlegs
    mommyshortlegs Posts: 402 Member
    yarwell : You pegged me correctly, I DO tend to over-think things. ;)

    jacksonpt : Further details --

    Gender: Female
    Age: 29
    Height: 5'3"
    Starting weight: 135.6 lbs. (9/10/12)
    Current weight: 130.8 lbs.
    Goal weight: 120 lbs.
    Activity: Lightly active
    Weekly exercise goal: 20 min. 5 days/wk.
    Weekly weight loss goal: 1 lb. (as recommended)
  • 2hobbit1
    2hobbit1 Posts: 820 Member
    BMR is what you burn in a coma - no other activity - MFP will give you wonky targets if you are too aggressive in your weekly weight loss goal when you are close to goal. If you are within 10 lbs of goal you should not be looking to lose more than 0.5 lb a week - you should be very close to transitioning to maintenance calorie levels or your TDEE..
    You should look at your TDEE - that is BMR + energy for daily activities + energy burn from your exercise.
    If you are near goal you would be taking a 5-10% cut from your TDEE. and not eating back your exercise calories since it is factored in as part of the calculation. The link will show you how to get those numbers and help you decide your activity level so you pick the correct target TDEE to take your cut from. Give me a shout if you want a double check of your numbers.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Drop your goal down to .5lbs per week... that should give you 250 cals per day right there. It'll also be a healthier weight loss for you.
  • Ruthe8
    Ruthe8 Posts: 423 Member
    Whether you eat 1240 or 1287 you are still eating much less than you burn. Less than 50 calories a day is not going to make a difference in the long run.
  • mommyshortlegs
    mommyshortlegs Posts: 402 Member
    Thank you, all. :) For the moment, I'm going to drop my weekly weight loss goal to .5 lbs. (per jacksonpt's suggestion), to slow my weight loss. 2hobbit1, I'm reading through your linked post now, as Toddler permits. ;)
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