why do so many posts contradict MFP advice?

kittybelle
kittybelle Posts: 7 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know there are thousand of posts regarding eating less than your BMR/TDEE (I've spent hours reading them!) and the overwhelming majority of posters say that you should not do it.

Why then, does MFP suggest a daily net calorie goal of 1400 when my BMR is over 1900?

I genuinely believed that for an extremely obese person, BMR was unreliable due to it not accounting for the difference between maintaining 100lbs fat versus 100lbs lean tissue. However, I've been reading posts that tell me otherwise.

I am genuinely confused. I can see how someone with only 14lbs to lose needs to eat their BMR but I need to lose 100lbs!

Thanks in advance for your help

Replies

  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Why then, does MFP suggest a daily net calorie goal of 1400 when my BMR is over 1900?

    I'm a 6'1" male and even my BMR is "only" 1900ish.

    You are vastly overestimating your BMR.
  • almostplenty
    almostplenty Posts: 43 Member
    I'll let you in on a secret: nobody on here actually knows what they're talking about. Just try different things till you find what works best for you & your goals.

    fyi the term/concept "starvation mode" is a load of ****.
  • 19TaraLynn84
    19TaraLynn84 Posts: 739 Member
    Are you sure 1900 is your BMR and not your TDEE?
  • Mr_Bad_Example
    Mr_Bad_Example Posts: 2,403 Member
    I know there are thousand of posts regarding eating less than your BMR/TDEE (I've spent hours reading them!) and the overwhelming majority of posters say that you should not do it.

    Why then, does MFP suggest a daily net calorie goal of 1400 when my BMR is over 1900?

    I genuinely believed that for an extremely obese person, BMR was unreliable due to it not accounting for the difference between maintaining 100lbs fat versus 100lbs lean tissue. However, I've been reading posts that tell me otherwise.

    I am genuinely confused. I can see how someone with only 14lbs to lose needs to eat their BMR but I need to lose 100lbs!

    Thanks in advance for your help

    You might want to read up on BMR (basal metabolic rate) and TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) for some good definitions of what they are. 1900, as others have said, is likely to be an overestimate of your BMR.
  • kittybelle
    kittybelle Posts: 7 Member
    I'm only going by what MFP and the 5:2 diet calculator say. This http://thefastdiet.co.uk/how-many-calories-on-a-non-fast-day/ puts my TDEE at 2259 - which is why I am questioning the accuracy of BMR/TDEE for very overweight people.

    Surely there must be a maximum fat-to-muscle ratio, beyond which the calculation fails?
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    The standard BMR calculators over-estimate for obese people. Based on your ticker, your BMR is going to be somewhere around 1400-ish.
  • ParkerH47
    ParkerH47 Posts: 463 Member
    there are actually some equations out there that are for "obese" people (I HATE that word), that takes into account exactly what your worried about. You are correct to question your BMR because the standard equation has been developed and tested using mostly healthy, normal weight adults.

    I'll check around for the equation but if not try google :)
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    Yep, no formula or equation beats personal trial and error. The numbers you get from MFP are based on assumptions that may or may not hold true for you personally. I think the reason that you hear so much about BMR and the TDEE approach is because a lot of people on here have had long term success using this approach and sticking with it. It also can be largely more simple than having to eat back exercise calories and generally gives a slower but more long term sustainable approach to weight loss.

    Think of this as your own personal experiment with n=1. If you lose weight consistently with a certain approach while maintaining good health and energy levels and if you can stick with that approach long term than you have succeeded. If not than make the necessary changes until you find an approach that works and is sustainable for you.

    What works and is sustainable for one person will not always be for the next. We are all largely the same, while at the same time being special little snow flakes
  • ParkerH47
    ParkerH47 Posts: 463 Member
    Try this: (sorry the equation in my textbook uses the metric system so you will have to convert to kg and meters)

    It is also for TDEE (which would be like eating at maintenance and then just take off 250 -1000 calories off that number depending on how many pounds per week you want to lose)

    TDEE = 448 - 7.95 X age + 1.00 X (11.4 X weight (kg) + 619 X height (meters) )

    If that looks way overwhelming lol just try google. but there IS definitely different equations!

    ahh so much math :sad:

    ETA: the person above me is also super right :) lol just do what works for you. if it doesn't feel right don't do it!
  • kittybelle
    kittybelle Posts: 7 Member
    Thanks everyone. I tend to have a fair idea of what works for me (a lifetime of on-off corticosteroid and temporary immobility means I am always either gaining weight or losing it!) but I was struck by how militant some posters were in their belief that you NEVER eat less than the calculator says, regardless of personal circumstance.

    My big change this cycle is that I am increasing my fat intake and drastically increasing my omega 3 intake in my 3:6 ratio (with specialists and consultants all in agreement)

    I have tried Googling for obesity BMR calculators but without great success - I'll give that equation a go though!

    Thanks again everyone
  • tuulikki30
    tuulikki30 Posts: 99 Member
    I lost over 100 lbs eating approximately 1200 - 1400 calories a day. I have maintained that loss for nearly 6 years. It is a lot of trial and error and the journey is not over just because you see the number on the scale you want to see.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I have tried Googling for obesity BMR calculators but without great success - I'll give that equation a go though!

    For heavy folks, have to use one that factors in lean body mass. Like Katch-McCardle:

    BMR = 370 + (9.79759519 X Lean Mass in pounds)

    And don't worry about the decimal places - it just isn't that accurate - round that off to "10" and you have a nice, easy to use equation.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Very true.

    If you can get a decent estimate of bodyfat %, using the Katch BMR can help.

    For overweight, it'll actually underestimate, because it like the others was based on participants in the healthy weight range, average ratio of fat to fat-free mass (LBM).
    But when overweight, rarely is that ratio maintained, so with extra fat, which does actually burn some calories, that BMR is underestimated for overweight.

    Mifflin is considered best for overweight, as it scales better than Harris.

    And yes, the TDEE deficit method using BMR is merely means to get close to reality - gotta start somewhere, and hopefully higher better than lower.

    Than after a month of actual good logging food, and actual results - you got your real TDEE. Still don't know your BMR, but who cares at that point.

    edit - the Knight on horseback always beats me!
  • raindawg
    raindawg Posts: 348 Member
    Just like everything else you'll find a whole spectrum of opinions on what's right and what's not right. Each camp convinced theirs is the right advice for each and everyone. I've had good success just following the MFP goals. Might not be right for everyone but it has worked for me in helping me lose the weight when needed.
  • sarzo14
    sarzo14 Posts: 35 Member
    Ok so I see that you have abou 240lbs, aproximetly. I started off with a little less, I had 210lbs when I started. I ate about 1600-1800 and still lost 1lb a week. So I think there is no need for you to eat so little alories if you can still lose weight with eating more. I'm now MAINTAINING at more than 2000 and I lost 50 pounds. I'm at 160lbs and 2000 is maintaining, so at your weight you should be losing with 2000. But you can eat less than 2000 if you want to lose weight faster.
  • staveshabr
    staveshabr Posts: 74 Member
    Why then, does MFP suggest a daily net calorie goal of 1400 when my BMR is over 1900?

    I'm a 6'1" male and even my BMR is "only" 1900ish.

    You are vastly overestimating your BMR.

    my bmr is 1880 and im a 5'6 female 243 pounds and mfp gives me 1830 to eat to lose a pound a week so idk
  • lizzyclatworthy
    lizzyclatworthy Posts: 296 Member
    I don't understand what all the numbers and abbreviation mean... I have not the time, ability or motivation to learn. I eat less I lose weight, I exercise more I lose weight (or look better at least) and the other way round.. it's a bit haphazard but so am I!
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I lost over 100 lbs eating approximately 1200 - 1400 calories a day. I have maintained that loss for nearly 6 years. It is a lot of trial and error and the journey is not over just because you see the number on the scale you want to see.

    Right on! I love that you've been maintaining for so long! Significant loss AND long-term maintenance - You are a true MFP hero! :drinker:
    (I'm only around 3 years of maintenance myself, with no signs of stopping!)
  • JojoEffeckt164
    JojoEffeckt164 Posts: 146 Member
    I stricktly stick to what MFP tells me and it works for me. I never lost unter 1lbs each week. I´m on mfp for 3 months and lost 28lbs so far... Don´t undestand al the calculation stuff either... :noway: Just stick to what MFP tells you and you will be fine. During the hours you read all that stuff you could have great workouts and actually burn calories.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Because MFP is my FITNESS pal. It assumes you're exercising too... so you have to eat back exercise calories... and thus end up over your BMR.

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