Question about BMR & TDEE

momsgettinhealthy
momsgettinhealthy Posts: 26 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been reading up on the BMR and TDEE but not sure that I still 100% understand it. I am wanting to lose approximately 2 lbs a week and work a desk job and walk about 1.5 miles @ 3.5 mph 5-7 days per week and am also doing 30DS. The calculator gave me the following numbers:


BMR -1937
TDEE - 2663

I know if I am wanting to lose 2 lbs a week I need to cut my intake by 1000 but if I do that then I would be going below my BMR. I am not understanding what I need to do right now. Can anyone please help me?

Replies

  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    20% of 2663 is 532. So 2663 minus 532 is 2131 - which is above your BMR.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    If you're going to use the TDEE method you cut 20% at most from your TDEE. That said, you have a lot to lose so the calculators get a bit off. It's making an estimation based on lean body mass but when you are obese you have a far greater ratio of fat than a normal person so you are safe to under eat your BMR for the first part of your journey. Your body has lots of fat stores to call on for energy before it needs to start using muscle mass for energy.
  • momsgettinhealthy
    momsgettinhealthy Posts: 26 Member
    That helps a lot. Thank you!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    20% of 2663 is 532. So 2663 minus 532 is 2131 - which is above your BMR.

    That is only 1lb/week. OP try going to TDEE -30% that would be just over 1.5lbs/week weight loss goal. That would put you at 1864, and with the amount you have to lose 100+ then going slightly below BMR should not cause any harm at all.
  • momsgettinhealthy
    momsgettinhealthy Posts: 26 Member
    Thank you all for your responses. One more question. Everyone keeps saying it's ok to go below my BMR for a short amount of time since I have so much to lose, but how long would be a short amount? Until I feel ready to kick it up or until I plateau or until I reach say 50 lbs lost? Or is it really all just relative?

    Thank you all for listening to my dumb questions! I just want to make sure I am really understanding all of this!
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    1200 is the bare minimum any woman should be eating and that's not enough for most people. The thing is your BMR will come down as you lose weight so at some point you should have a lower BMR so your calorie budget and your BMR should match then hopefully your BMR drops below your calorie intake. BMR is partially based on your weight so it does get lower.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Thank you all for your responses. One more question. Everyone keeps saying it's ok to go below my BMR for a short amount of time since I have so much to lose, but how long would be a short amount? Until I feel ready to kick it up or until I plateau or until I reach say 50 lbs lost? Or is it really all just relative?

    Thank you all for listening to my dumb questions! I just want to make sure I am really understanding all of this!

    I would say a good guide would be eating under BMR (not way under) would be fine until you have 75ish lbs left to lose, then, as a guide, change to TDEE-25%, then at 50 to go do TDEE-20%, and for the last 10-15lbs to TDEE -10 to15%.

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