how accurate is the BMR?

sappy1000
sappy1000 Posts: 15
edited January 20 in Health and Weight Loss
So am i right in saying that because my basal metabollic rate is 2450 (or thereabouts) that if i eat only 1450 calories a day i will have a daily caloric deficit of 1000 which result is 2lb's a week off!? If this is the case that is great, mfp say to aim for 1450 but this is all based on my BMR. But how accurate is the BMR?>??????? I am only aiming to lower my body fat percentage to around 10% (i am currently about 16%) also i dont want to lose muscle

Replies

  • dsmpunk
    dsmpunk Posts: 262 Member
    Not very accurate at all. It varies from person to person greatly.

    You have to figure out what works for you. The generic calculators are general guidelines that make lots of estimations and assumptions.
  • BrofessorDumbelldore
    BrofessorDumbelldore Posts: 11
    eat lots of protein so you don't lose all those gains
  • 0OneTwo3
    0OneTwo3 Posts: 149 Member
    The BMR you get here is an ESTIMATE. It is about right for most people though.
    In addition to that your BMR can change. During a prolonged or to harsh diet it will go down.

    And if you want some more notes: with a deficit of 1000kcal or 40!!% you will loose some muscle if you are not obese (which you are obviously not.) its just too high. eat more and diet longer instead (and maybe do a refeed once a week).
    and yes a decent amount of protein(up to 1g per lb of bodyweight) will help prevent muscle loss. as will weight training.
  • sappy1000
    sappy1000 Posts: 15
    surely if i have a high protein diet like i do then i wont lose muscle despite a 40% calorie deficit?
  • 0OneTwo3
    0OneTwo3 Posts: 149 Member
    No. You are aiming for a very low BF%. Your body wants to hold on to that fat so when it needs energy(which will happen a lot at such a high deficit) it will take only so much from your limited fat stores and break down muscle for the rest.
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