Harris Benedict Equation, BMR etc

chocolatnoir
chocolatnoir Posts: 182 Member
edited September 22 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,

I am 5'7 and weigh 155. My BMR is 1500. When I plugged in all my info to MFP I followed the suggestion to categorize myself as sedentary since I sit at a desk for work most of the time. I did not factor in my exercise. 1500x1.2 means I need 1800 calories to maintain my weight. 500 calorie daily deficit to lose 1lb per week- so 1300 calories a day.

BUT if I enter my information into a BMR calculator online and following instructions and factor in my exercise (moderately active, exercise 5 times a week) the formula is 1500x1.55 which puts me at 2325 calories a day to maintain my weight. Which means I should be able to lose 1 lb per week with net 1825 calories a day.

I've been eating in the 1300 (net) range since I started on MFP and saw little to no results. Briefly went up to 1500 for a couple of weeks, no results. I measure my food and all that good stuff.

I've received suggestions from people to eat LESS than 1300 and some others to eat MORE. I've read all the stuff about eating back exercise calories and I do that. It's just- both groups of people seem to have science to back it up and both groups have successfully lost weight.

I've decided I won't eat less than 1200 NET (briefly considered it). But is 1200-1300 too low? ARGH!

Anyway 1300 to 1825 is a huge difference. And I'm so confused as to what the heck I am to do.

Replies

  • chocolatnoir
    chocolatnoir Posts: 182 Member
    I guess that when I eat back my exercise calories my total calories for the day are close to 1800 anyway (while my NET is 12-1300) ie eating 1300 NET is probably the right number for me to lose 1 lb per week????

    If I factored in my activity and stuck with 1800 a day to lose 1lb, then I would not be able to eat back my exercise calories.

    So it is either 1800 with exercise already factored in, or 1300 as a "sedentary" gal and eating exercise calories back.

    I think I answered my own question.....
  • jesseroyal
    jesseroyal Posts: 22 Member
    I think so too. I would leave it at 1300 with eating back (some) of your exercise calories.
  • GiGi76
    GiGi76 Posts: 876 Member
    You just have to find what works for you because everyone is different!!! Try playing with your ratios some and see what works best for you.... go back and see what your ratios have been like for the past couple of weeks then change that up and see if you notice a diference.... also be sure to track sodium and fiber!!! ;-)
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