How many calories?

RNmomto3
RNmomto3 Posts: 15 Member
I'm confused. MFP says to eat 1600 calories to lose 2 lbs per week.

My BMR is 1881.6 and my TDEE is 2558. So 1600 makes sense, but I keep reading to not eat below my BMR? So to be healthy should I eat my BMR and just lose weight a little more slowly? Or is 1600 ok even though it's below my BMR?

Thanks!

Replies

  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    What did you use to calculate BMR and TDEE? Both of those numbers seem high. If you calculated them only based off weight and didn't use any body fat percentage numbers, then it is likely that the calculations will be higher than your true numbers are.
  • RNmomto3
    RNmomto3 Posts: 15 Member
    What did you use to calculate BMR and TDEE? Both of those numbers seem high. If you calculated them only based off weight and didn't use any body fat percentage numbers, then it is likely that the calculations will be higher than your true numbers are.

    I just googled a calculator for them. I'm not sure what my body fat percentage is, I will have to find out... Reluctantly! Lol
  • RNmomto3
    RNmomto3 Posts: 15 Member
    How do I calculate my BMR and TDEE once I do know my body fat percentage?
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    How do I calculate my BMR and TDEE once I do know my body fat percentage?

    BMR = 370 + (21.6 x LBM)Where LBM = [total weight (kg) x (100 - bodyfat %)]/100

    TDEE = (BMR x Activity Factor)

    Activity Factors:

    1.2 = Sedentary (Desk job, & Little Formal Exercise)
    1.3-1.4 = Lightly Active (Light daily activity & light exercise 1-3 days a week)
    1.5-1.6 = Moderately Active (Moderately daily Activity & Moderate exercise 3-5 days a week)
    1.7-1.8 = Very Active (Physically demanding lifestyle & Hard exercise 6-7 days a week)
    1.9-2.2 = Extremely Active (Athlete in ENDURANCE training or VERY HARD physical job)
  • wonderwoman234
    wonderwoman234 Posts: 551 Member
    Those numbers seem high for losing 2 lbs. per week.
  • RNmomto3
    RNmomto3 Posts: 15 Member
    How do I calculate my BMR and TDEE once I do know my body fat percentage?

    BMR = 370 + (21.6 x LBM)Where LBM = [total weight (kg) x (100 - bodyfat %)]/100

    TDEE = (BMR x Activity Factor)

    Activity Factors:

    1.2 = Sedentary (Desk job, & Little Formal Exercise)
    1.3-1.4 = Lightly Active (Light daily activity & light exercise 1-3 days a week)
    1.5-1.6 = Moderately Active (Moderately daily Activity & Moderate exercise 3-5 days a week)
    1.7-1.8 = Very Active (Physically demanding lifestyle & Hard exercise 6-7 days a week)
    1.9-2.2 = Extremely Active (Athlete in ENDURANCE training or VERY HARD physical job)

    BMR = 370 + (21.6 x 64.9)= 1771
    TDEE= 2303.4

    So to lose 2 pounds a week I should eat 1300 calories a day, correct? That's still below my BMR, so that's ok?
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Forget x pounds per week, and make a realistic goal of eating somewhere between 80 and 90% of you TDEE, depending on how comfortable you are limiting your calories by this percentage. The more weight you have to lose, the easier and safer it is to go closer to 80%. So, for a TDEE of e.g. 2300, you should aim for about 1800 calories per day, not 1300 .
    And of course remeber to recalculate your TDEE as you lose weight, as it will get lower and lower.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    So to lose 2 pounds a week I should eat 1300 calories a day, correct? That's still below my BMR, so that's ok?

    Yes, the whole "don't eat below your BMR" thing is nonsense. Remove that confusion and you're good to go.
  • lamps1303
    lamps1303 Posts: 432 Member
    So to lose 2 pounds a week I should eat 1300 calories a day, correct? That's still below my BMR, so that's ok?

    Yes, the whole "don't eat below your BMR" thing is nonsense. Remove that confusion and you're good to go.

    Is it? I was under the impression you must eat at least BMR as this is the minimum your body needs to function normally? Surely, if you're eating less than, even for a short amount of time, it can be detrimental to health?
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    So to lose 2 pounds a week I should eat 1300 calories a day, correct? That's still below my BMR, so that's ok?

    Yes, the whole "don't eat below your BMR" thing is nonsense. Remove that confusion and you're good to go.

    Is it? I was under the impression you must eat at least BMR as this is the minimum your body needs to function normally? Surely, if you're eating less than, even for a short amount of time, it can be detrimental to health?

    Not the case at all, though there are downsides to having a large deficit that drops you below your BMR, it's not unhealthy at all as long as you're eating enough fat and protein.
  • I have achieved many fitness goals over the years and being a woman in my late 40's, I quit smoking Jan of 13, have gained about 25lbs since then AND my hormones decided to change up too, so the weight is going around my middle like never before. I started a new career last year as well, so many firsts for me. I have been fit, trim & lean at 125lbs with 16% bodyfat up to early 06, but again, a hormone issue & doc put me on hormones which caused me to gain weight again. Ive struggled with it ever since & have not seen the 125 weight since then. Its been a HUGE struggle!

    Having givin all that info...I do research/read a lot on fitness, yet with things changing & my weight distribution in different places as well as metabolism soo slow...Im totally confused as to what to do I think. I workout approx 2-4x/wk, but nothing now is moving at all.

    I saw a doctor yesterday (only 2nd time I had seen her) and she said some things that I would consider very wacky. She said for women my age, and all above 50, should eat 1000 calories per day to loose any weight but that more than likely will need to eat that amount of calories forever. *That went against everything I've ever learned on anything weight related. She also can offer a few different weight loss drugs, which I've read the side effects & NO BUENO! When i told her that I have water weight like I've never had, she said I could take a diuretic everyday and be fine!

    I do not think her advice was anything I would follow and I probably will switch docs as well. I try to eat very healthy, human food, (no processed junk) hardly have any soda, rare to eat breads, don't drink milk/dairy products but a few x/wk, buy/eat organic most often. Take good quality supplements, use/eat Coconut oil, HR is low & very slow (can get to 35 bpm when sitting) & body temp can be low (mid 96's to 97's).

    If I eat the recommended 1200 calories per day as MFP suggests, I do not loose anything, and I chart my exercise as well. Im at a loss as to what to do to shake this up! ANY SUGGESTIONS??