Questions about BMR

SymphonynSonata
SymphonynSonata Posts: 533 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I see a lot of people saying not to eat under your BMR. In my case (assuming the websites I looked at are moderately accurate) my BMR is anywhere from 1350-1390 (5'3.5, 122 lbs, 22 y/o, female). Then I look at other topics that say don't eat under your TDEE (~1,500-1,600). Then I see other topics saying starvation mode doesn't exist. So, if I (for the sake of understanding all of this) eat my BMR consistently for a few months, what would happen? If I eat my TDEE for a few months, what would happen? If I eat under my BMR (or TDEE), what would happen? Also, when I'm trying to maintain, do I eat my TDEE, or BMR?

:sick:

Replies

  • LTKeegan
    LTKeegan Posts: 354 Member
    Your TDEE is your total daily energy expenditure, that is, the total amount of energy it takes for you to do all the things you do in a day (walk, cook, work, work out, etc).That means, if you eat exactly your TDEE you will maintain.


    Your BMR is your basal metabolic rate, this is the amount of energy your body needs JUST to sustain basic life. If you were in a coma, how much energy you would need to be alive.


    If you eat your TDEE you maintain, if you eat under your BMR for too long you will eventually starve yourself to death. So you aim for between TDEE and BMR to lose weight.

    Edit:


    If you eat AT your BMR for a few months, you would lose weight. TDEE=1500, BMR=1350, then 1500-1350=150 deficit per day which is 1050 deficit per week which means you would lose 0.3 lbs/week (or 1lb every 3 weeks).

    My guess is that these are your numbers without exercise.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    TDEE is your maintenance calories.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    What exercise modifier did you use to get your TDEE? If it's sedentary, you would need to eat any extra exercise calories you burn. If you don't exercise, eat just slightly below your TDEE. Either way, never net below your BMR.
  • dmenchac
    dmenchac Posts: 447 Member
    You have never heard not to eat under your TDEE. If you never ate under it you would gain weight. Sharpen up on those reading comprehension skills!
  • Meushichan
    Meushichan Posts: 82 Member
    THIS :D

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/931670-bmr-and-tdee-explained-for-those-needing-a-guide

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