Calorie Intake Calculations - HELP

bloomingolive
bloomingolive Posts: 47
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I apologize in advance for creating a topic that's been seen, answered, rinse and repeat a billion times.
But I really need some help.

Since joining MFP a month ago, I've had a daily goal of 1200 calories: it was the number the site generated, but I also followed direction to calculate my bmr, and the ultimate intake was still 1200, so I stuck to it. I lost 11 pounds.

In the last two weeks, though, I hit a plateau/found my body yo-yoing. I had reached 69kg, then some days later I was up at 71, then today I'm back at 69. Assuming those 2kg were fluctuations (due to water/bowel movements etc), I stayed at my weight for almost two weeks. So I decided to check my calculations to be sure, but I don't quite remember what numbers I should consider.

* I have an ultimate goal I want to reach. When making calculations, though, I've been using my "short term" goal which is less overwhelming (18 lbs). Should I suck it up and consider my long-term goal (35 lbs)? It changes things.
*To determine my BMR, should "Goal weight" be my current weight (I read it on a post)?

Using my current weight as my goal, I used the Fat2fit tool for BMR, and it gave me 1828.
Another site's calculations equaled 1516.
How's this possible? Also, last time I tried, fat2fit gave me a much lower number.
I'm very confused. I'd like to know my TDEE, but I don't even know which bmr number I should trust.

Insight?

Replies

  • bloomingolive
    bloomingolive Posts: 47
    oops-- I just realized I posted in the wrong section. Is there anyway to move it?
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    To have it moved click on the report thread button below and ask the mods to move it for you.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    plenty of people ask this sort of thing in here, so don't worry.

    You have been confused by people offerring different approaches to that used by MFP. MFP works from your current weight and suggests you recalculate every so often (it reminds you, it isn't automatic). So MFP uses your current weight to get your current BMR and works from there.

    Fat2Fit works on a different philosophy - that of eating for the weight [/i]that you want to be[/i]. So don't combine the two or you'll be confused.

    There are many BMR estimation methods, using different parameters and based on different populations. So you won't get identical answers from different sites for your BMR, let alone anything else, and all BMR estimates are +/-10% at best.
  • bloomingolive
    bloomingolive Posts: 47
    Thanks yarwell :) I know the methods are different, what confused me is how different the numbers are! I mean, 1300 and 1800 are NOT the same amount of food!

    Now that it's in the right section, maybe someone will help me understand how much I should eat for a steadier loss..
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    1300 and 1800 are NOT the same amount of food!
    Indeed, but both are 1550 +/- 16% so given the accuracy with which these things are done they're practically the same thing.

    If you have plenty to lose go for the smaller number, if you can't stick to that go for the higher one. If you don't lose on the higher one take 200 off it. Give each change 3 or 4 weeks.
  • bloomingolive
    bloomingolive Posts: 47
    1300 and 1800 are NOT the same amount of food!
    Indeed, but both are 1550 +/- 16% so given the accuracy with which these things are done they're practically the same thing.

    If you have plenty to lose go for the smaller number, if you can't stick to that go for the higher one. If you don't lose on the higher one take 200 off it. Give each change 3 or 4 weeks.

    I should consider the BMR number as my (approximate) daily calorie goal?
    I'd read I should add a given percentage, as well as consider the tdee number? Sorry, I just want to understand.
    Thank you very much:flowerforyou:
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