How many calories should I be eating?

Johlawrence
Johlawrence Posts: 236 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
This is so confusing and frustrating to me. I don't think I am eating enough to lose...

I am a 38 year old female. My weight is 165. My goal weight is 135. I workout 5/6 times a week and burn around 350 cals per workout.

According to what I have read a figured, my body fat % is 37. My BMR (Harris-Benedict) is 1500. My TDEE is 2315. I don't get the correlation between those two numbers. Of course, MFP set me at 1200 cals/day, which I have been aiming for. But, I do not think that is enough. I went through this last summer as well, not eating enough to support my calories burned. What would be a good recommended number of cals for me? It should be as simple as "burn more than you take in" but that is just simply not true.

Please help!!!

Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    BMR is the amount of calories you'd burn if you were in a coma. TDEE is how many calories you burn on a daily basis. So generally you want to aim to eat somewhere between the two numbers. You want to be above your BMR so as not to mess with your metabolism and below your TDEE to lose weight.
  • CLFrancois
    CLFrancois Posts: 472 Member
    500-700 below your TDEE is what I would aim for (if I was you)
    I think you are going to suffer with 1200 a day, that is extremely low.
  • Angeliquemc80
    Angeliquemc80 Posts: 3
    1200 seems really low and unattainable for the amount you are working out! :)
  • KevDaniel
    KevDaniel Posts: 449 Member
    Well if your BMR is 1500 then 1200 is not even enough to maintain daily bodily functions, so It should be upped if this is a long duration plan.
  • KevDaniel
    KevDaniel Posts: 449 Member
    BMR is the amount of calories you'd burn if you were in a coima.

    OK I hope people stop saying this, that is not accurate. It is your body at rest, so if you laid in bed all day. Since in a coma your brain function and other body functions decrease dramatically it would be less.

    Also your BMR changes daily and most calculators miss the mark by up to 20%.

    Just keep that in mind.
  • TheStephil
    TheStephil Posts: 858 Member
    I suggest 20% below your TDEE. Eat above your BMR, it can be harmful to eat below your BMR. My TDEE/BMR are pretty similar to yours and I eat around 1700.
  • nczuczu
    nczuczu Posts: 611 Member
    It all can be very confusing. I like to use a calorie deficit calculator like the one at http://www.fitwatch.com/qkcalc/caloriedeficitcalculator.php. It takes into account your height, weight, age and activity level. Eat a deficit (15 - 30%) of your daily calorie needs. It is really that simple.

    Good luck!
  • Johlawrence
    Johlawrence Posts: 236 Member
    Thanks for the help!!!

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