BMR, Harris Benedict, and actual weight loss

Itchula
Itchula Posts: 40 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So my BMR is still 1671. I've been exercising daily (mostly walking for 30-60 minutes, brisk pace). I have 2lbs to lose from going off the wagon for 2 weeks (my birthday tends to take up the better portion of month), then I can continue working toward my weight loss goal. I found keeping within my calories was a bit hard at first, but I'm getting back into the groove. Cutting alcohol again helps A TON.

I set my calorie goal at 1600, but I decided to play with that Harris Benedict equation. My Harris Benedict score is 2590. 20% of that is 518 So to lose weight, I should eat 2072 calories? No bleeping way. That seems like way too much.

How does that number work? I mean, when I log my exercise on MFP, I earn extra calories. Today I earned over 300, so I can eat 1900-something calories. Should I just forget about the HB# and just keep on keepin' on?

Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Do you take measurements?

    If you do I recommend heybales spreadsheet. It will show you 3 numbers for an estimated BF%, pick one and it then uses a formula that takes into account your BF% to get a more accurate BMR.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/750920-spreadsheet-for-bmr-tdee-deficit-macro-calcs-hrm-zones?hl=spreadsheet

    If you do the TDEE method, you will eat at TDEE - 20%, your exercise calories will be included in that so you won't need to eat them back.

    Or you could eat closer to your BMR and eat back your exercise calories. Either way, the total intake numbers end up being about the same.
  • Itchula
    Itchula Posts: 40 Member
    Okay, that makes sense. If I just do what I've been doing (eating my calories earned), it still works.

    I've thought about taking measurements, but I'm not good at doing them myself. Maybe I can run over mom's and have her do it. especially since I've been exercising more, it would probably be a boost to see inches lost.

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