BMR

Different calculators = different values I would guess. They are all based on averages anyway though, unless you know for sure the amount of lean mass you have. And I have seen "lightly active" described in a various number of ways on different sites, ranging from having a job with light movement to working out half an hour 3 times a week on top of whatever the job is. MFP's idea of sedentary is on the low side, whereas some sites will classify you sedentary at a higher activity level, but then give you a higher BMR for being in that category.

That makes sense. To maintain the size you currently are the BMR is apparently saying APPROXIMATELY 1700+. To lose weight take it down to around the 1300+ calories. This is based on the fact that essentially 1 pound equals 3500 calories. So this amounts to be able to lose 1 pound per week, one needs to burn off 3500 calories overall (500 calories a day). This is done as a combination of physical activity as well as improving quality and decreasing caloric (typically portions) - if you burn off 320 calories today, then decreased caloric intake would be in the neighborhood of 180 calories. If you don't exercise tomorrow, you have to give up all 500 from food.

The point is to eat a balanced diet in smaller quantity and better quality. The menu provided is pretty realistic.
Don't overthink the whole thing.
To truly get an accurate BMR one needs to know oxygen consumption, etc so to get a true one it requires a detailed assessment. The calculator you refer to, gives an estimate anyway.

That makes sense. To maintain the size you currently are the BMR is apparently saying APPROXIMATELY 1700+. To lose weight take it down to around the 1300+ calories. This is based on the fact that essentially 1 pound equals 3500 calories. So this amounts to be able to lose 1 pound per week, one needs to burn off 3500 calories overall (500 calories a day). This is done as a combination of physical activity as well as improving quality and decreasing caloric (typically portions) - if you burn off 320 calories today, then decreased caloric intake would be in the neighborhood of 180 calories. If you don't exercise tomorrow, you have to give up all 500 from food.

The point is to eat a balanced diet in smaller quantity and better quality. The menu provided is pretty realistic.
Don't overthink the whole thing.
To truly get an accurate BMR one needs to know oxygen consumption, etc so to get a true one it requires a detailed assessment. The calculator you refer to, gives an estimate anyway.

Again, not true. You do not create a deficit from your BMR. Use your BMR to determine your TDEE, and create the deficit from there.

Hi.
Ok, I just found this thing about BMR - basal matabolic rate. So I though cool, lets find out how much is the minimum I have to eat...
The calculator gave me 1723 calories. Now MFP gives me only 1370. Doesn't it mean I eat too little calories? I mean, if my body needs over 1700 even if I stay in bed all day, having less than that can't cover what I need.
Or am I not understanding it right?
Thanks

Yes, you are understanding it correctly. I don't know your stats, so I can't tell how accurate your BMR is. But MFP tends to give too few calories, especially if you tell it you want to lose 2 pounds per week. If you want to use the MFP way, tell it you want to use 1 pound per week, and also eat back your calories burned.

The only people giving accurate information in this thread are foleyshirley and debdelilah.

Foley while I agree 200% what you said do you just like saying "not true " maybe mix it up next time and say false. Just saying lol

Got it!

the thing that probably isn't true is that the OP's BMR is 1700. Not likely.

Yep, and you may have a slower rate of loss than you would like, but it's better/safer/and gives you time to focus on healthy habits.

Ok, so I told MFP 2 lbs/week and it gave me 1200 calories. Then I read that recommended thread about TDEE and BMR, calculated my body fat, and was given a "light activity" bmr of 2031 or so. I subtracted the recommended 20% to find the calories I should be eating and it's 1613... so I should be getting at least 1613 of healthy, whole foods in my macros for healthiest weight loss, right?

That is a reasonable approach, yes.

ETA: I just noticed you called the 2031 number your BMR. I think it must be your TDEE, in which case, it is a reasonable approach.

The idea is that your body will take those 500 or so calories from your fat instead of food.

Sorry, not true. You are not supposed to create a deficit from your BMR. You subtract from your TDEE.

You mean deficit from your TDEE.

I actually did say to subtract from your TDEE. I clearly say do NOT subtract from you BMR. I've said it twice, at least.

yes foley, but you also say you should never go below your BMR, which is not always true.

If a person is truly sedentary (sometimes due to health/injury issues) does this mean they can never lose weight? Of course not.

Whils I would certainly advise that most people should incorporate regular exercise into their lives to raise their TDEE, it is not going to kill you to dip below your BMR (as long as its not too far below or for too long in duration). Note that more significantly overweight people will sustain this level of caloric restriction much better than leaner people.