Setting calorie goal to BMR and eating exercise calories

AmberBelandria
AmberBelandria Posts: 78 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I need just a little advice here, I have calculated my BMR 3x on 3 different calculators and they all tell me around 1720. So my question is should I set my calorie goal on MFP to 1720 and eat my exercise calories back. I burn close to 600 calories during a workout that puts me eating 2320 calories a day. Like so many before me I am scared I will gain if eating that many calories a day. Just not sure what to do and need advice, suggestions or personal experience. I need to lose about 50lbs.

Replies

  • Datahorde
    Datahorde Posts: 154
    When I lost my weight, I set my calories lower than what I calculated out., as you need a calorie deficit and lose it little by little. Now as you lose your weight, your body will plateau many times. Just keep with it and you'll drop again. trust me. :)

    now, for the exercise part. you don't want to eat back all the calories you've burnt off. Just eat when your hungry, eat clean - meaning no processed foods. but stay under that calorie deficit that you've come up with, if you eat back what you've burnt off - ok, as long as your under your goal.

    hope that helps!
  • AmberBelandria
    AmberBelandria Posts: 78 Member
    Well my BMR is what my body needs to just lay in bed and survive. I calculated that one instead of my TDEE because it is 2987. So if I eat 1720 to meet my MFP calories then exercise and burn 600 caloreis that puts my net at 1120. Is that to low will I stop losing weight because of the low number. If I eat my exercise calories back I eat 2320. I know in the net box it will say 1720 but is 2320 to high? I guess I am confused on the high number of calories or hung up on it. The calorie bar on the home page. Goal which is 1720 Food = ( which is calories consumed) which could be 2320 Exercise = ( Which could be 600 calories burned) Net = ( if I don't eat my exercise calories back it will say 1120) I am hung up on the number of calories in the section FOOD ( calories consumed) vs NET.

    Can someone put this in simple terms for me. I think I just confused myself more.
  • AnexRavensong
    AnexRavensong Posts: 262 Member
    Are you sure your calculations are correct? They all sound REALLY high. I'm 28 years old and my BMR is 1460 calories. Usually all those numbers tend to go lower as we get older. I can't judge your age by looking at your picture but I would guess you are about my age or older for sure.

    I know you said you used several calculators but it all sounds rather off. I have a BMR of 1460 and I have my calories set to 1664 calories which is a 10.6% deficit of TDEE.

    I don't think eating at BMR is a good idea. You're body isn't going to want to LOSE weight at all.. however I think your calculations are off because that sounds like a really high BMR and TDEE.

    I suggest trying this spreadsheet by Heybales (link in the post):

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/717858-spreadsheet-bmr-tdee-and-deficit-calcs-macros-hrm

    It looks daunting, but you basically plug in your measurements into the yellow slots and it does the rest, really simple! I can't help but feel like something is off with your calculations. :/

    EDIT: I'm not thinking, BMR is also based on weight :x Regardless, I would suggest eating at a deficit of TDEE
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    If you have your true TDEE calculated at 2987 including your exercise, take that and subtract 20% = 2390 calories which is TDEE-20% which is probably the best way to go. which would be very close to what you had figured as your BMR + your exercise calories. Now with TDEE-20% you do not eat back your exercise calories since they are already figured in.
    Here is good info:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet
  • xampx
    xampx Posts: 323 Member
    Hiya. Yes, I do this.

    My BMR is 1670. I eat this plus my exercise calories of 3-500 cals a day and I am losing weight at a good steady rate. About 1lb a week.

    You should avoid eating under your BMR

    I worked out my BMR, and my TDEE based on being sedentary, and my TDEE minus 10-15% was about the same as my BMR anyway
  • AmberBelandria
    AmberBelandria Posts: 78 Member
    Are you sure your calculations are correct? They all sound REALLY high. I'm 28 years old and my BMR is 1460 calories. Usually all those numbers tend to go lower as we get older. I can't judge your age by looking at your picture but I would guess you are about my age or older for sure.

    I know you said you used several calculators but it all sounds rather off. I have a BMR of 1460 and I have my calories set to 1664 calories which is a 10.6% deficit of TDEE.

    I don't think eating at BMR is a good idea. You're body isn't going to want to LOSE weight at all.. however I think your calculations are off because that sounds like a really high BMR and TDEE.

    I suggest trying this spreadsheet by Heybales (link in the post):

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/717858-spreadsheet-bmr-tdee-and-deficit-calcs-macros-hrm

    It looks daunting, but you basically plug in your measurements into the yellow slots and it does the rest, really simple! I can't help but feel like something is off with your calculations. :/

    EDIT: I'm not thinking, BMR is also based on weight :x Regardless, I would suggest eating at a deficit of TDEE



    I used MFP BMR calculator and it puts me at 1708 which is the lowest of them all but all are around 1708 to 1722.
  • AmberBelandria
    AmberBelandria Posts: 78 Member
    You all have been a huge help. I will set my calories to my BMR which is 1720 and eat back my exercise calories. I will keep a check on it to make sure I am losing vs gaining. I pray its losing cause I really need to get this fat off.
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    Amber, I replied on your profile page. :flowerforyou:

    When you check out the threads that I posted and recalculate things, let me know what numbers you come up with. Also, be sure to stick with something for a couple of weeks (at least) to determine whether or not it is working. You will know whether you need to eat more or less after tracking your measurements and weight for about that long provided that you are honest about your food intake and such.

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