Calories

dancafc1995
dancafc1995 Posts: 25 Member
edited October 2014 in Goal: Maintaining Weight
Hi guys, was just wondering if anyone has heard of, or recommends this calorie calculator - https://www.bcm.edu/research/centers/childrens-nutrition-research-center/caloriesneed.cfm I am 19 years old, 5 foot 9, 156-158 pounds.

Replies

  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    I plugged in my numbers and the calories were high.
    There are a bunch of calorie calculators out there. They all use similar formulas.

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

    http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html

    http://iifym.com/iifym-calculator/

    http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

    It would be better to call them calorie estimators. There are variables because of individual metabolism and activity level. You have to do some trial and error to find a number that works for you.

    Estimate your number using one of the calculators, track your food intake diligently, if you exercise be consistent with your routine. Do these things for 8 weeks (hitting your calorie goal) and check your progress. If you maintain your weight then you got it right. If you are gaining or losing you will of course need to make some minor adjustments to your intake to find a more accurate number.
  • LoraKay131
    LoraKay131 Posts: 58 Member
    i just put my numbers in, it seems like its approximately the same as all the other ones out there. :) it takes tweaking to get it 100% for yourself as an individual. :)
  • dancafc1995
    dancafc1995 Posts: 25 Member
    When I input my stats it's says I need roughly 2500 calories for rarely active. 5 days a week I'm at college walking around so on them days should i rise my activity to the under 1 hour a day level?
  • FoxyLifter
    FoxyLifter Posts: 965 Member
    It sounds like you're over thinking this. Here, check out this link. It helped me when I started out:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

    Good luck! :)
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    5 days a week I'm at college walking around so on them days should i rise my activity to the under 1 hour a day level?
    No, leave it at rarely active or desk job. TDEE is an average.

    All the other calculators estimate your numbers at around 2000. The BCM calc is at 2500, which I think is high given your stats.

  • dancafc1995
    dancafc1995 Posts: 25 Member
    So 2,500 calories a day is to much for me?
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    I think 2000 is a better estimate, but that's just my opinion. Pick an estimate and check your progress after 8 weeks.
  • dancafc1995
    dancafc1995 Posts: 25 Member
    I don't know if this is of any significance but on one ordinary day I decided to eat 2,400 calories and according to the scales the following morning my weight had slightly dropped.