BMR and Calorie intake

T0M_K
T0M_K Posts: 7,526 Member
Ok so....explain this please.

My BMR is about 1709 at the moment. Calorie intake calculators to include MFP suggest that for weight loss at a rate of 1 to 1.5lbs a week i should consume less than 1709. the fact that last time i checked i wasn't in a coma, so i'm burning more than 1709 just being off my butt and non comatose.

Logically, it would seem that I should eat at least MORE than my BMR for good health.....does that make sense? what am i missing?

Thanks

Replies

  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Bmr is only a component of your TDEE and has absolutely no relevance to your weight loss calorific goal

    If you are sedentary your TDEE would be around 1.2 bmr ...so you cut from there to achieve weight loss

    Does not matter if you go under BMR ..your body will find the energy from your current fat and muscle
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Your BMR won't change much either ...so what do you mean ATM ?
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    For good health you need to meet your nutritional requirements which can be done under 1700 calories if needed
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    To add to what Rabbit said, MPF doesn't account for exercise until you log it. So if you do any exercise you should be eating more than the original number MFP gives.

    If you are sedentary, you have to eat less than BMR to cut 1 lb.
  • tflood76
    tflood76 Posts: 1 Member
    How do I figure out my bmr
  • T0M_K
    T0M_K Posts: 7,526 Member
    edited January 2016
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Your BMR won't change much either ...so what do you mean ATM ?

    I thought that it was based upon height/weight and age/gender....only a couple of those aren't changing LOL!
  • T0M_K
    T0M_K Posts: 7,526 Member
    To add to what Rabbit said, MPF doesn't account for exercise until you log it. So if you do any exercise you should be eating more than the original number MFP gives.

    If you are sedentary, you have to eat less than BMR to cut 1 lb.

    I use a fitbit to track calorie burn. i hate to eat back my burned calories...just seems like i don't get the gain i just worked to achieve. seems but probably isn't counter productive.
  • T0M_K
    T0M_K Posts: 7,526 Member
    tflood76 wrote: »
    How do I figure out my bmr

    calculator.net/bmr-calculator.html
  • leanne0627
    leanne0627 Posts: 109 Member
    If you are just starting out you may want to record your calories for a few days and find out how much you have been eating and tyen make a 20 percent cut from there. Everyone's body's are different and the calcutators just give an average. Then if you plateau you have more room to cut more. Plus ita much easier on the body to have a small cut then a giant drop in calories. Just a suggestion i wish i had done when i started instead of dropping down so low right away
  • eugenia94102
    eugenia94102 Posts: 126 Member
    Which tool are you using to calculate your BMR? While your logic is correct, the equation normally used to calculate BMR is an approximation and comes with a caveat:

    "The BMR formula uses the variables of height, weight, age and gender to calculate the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). This is more accurate than calculating calorie needs based on body weight alone. The only factor it omits is lean body mass and thus the ratio of muscle-to-fat a body has. Remember, leaner bodies need more calories than less leaner ones. Therefore, this equation will be very accurate in all but the very muscular (will underestimate calorie needs) and the very fat (will over-estimate calorie needs)."

    My suggestion is to input your data accurately on MFP and follow its recommendation for daily calorie allowance. If you wish to consume more calories lower the rate of weight loss to 0.5 lbs.
  • T0M_K
    T0M_K Posts: 7,526 Member
    Which tool are you using to calculate your BMR? While your logic is correct, the equation normally used to calculate BMR is an approximation and comes with a caveat:

    "The BMR formula uses the variables of height, weight, age and gender to calculate the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). This is more accurate than calculating calorie needs based on body weight alone. The only factor it omits is lean body mass and thus the ratio of muscle-to-fat a body has. Remember, leaner bodies need more calories than less leaner ones. Therefore, this equation will be very accurate in all but the very muscular (will underestimate calorie needs) and the very fat (will over-estimate calorie needs)."

    My suggestion is to input your data accurately on MFP and follow its recommendation for daily calorie allowance. If you wish to consume more calories lower the rate of weight loss to 0.5 lbs.

    Well the whole goal here is to consume the amount of calories that keeps me from wrecking my metabolism while losing the most weight possible. i'm not trying to shortcut this and don't care how long it takes. looking to drop 20 to 25lbs. I am not eating empty calories focusing on protein, carbs from fruit and veggies *mainly* and just letting the fats happen naturally based on those lean food choices. sometimes i find it hard to get 1600 to 1800 calories in eating like that. I guess i need to look for more "healthy" calorie dense foods that still keep me on track.

    Just trying to work this all out and do it in a way that yields results and doesn't wreck my metabolism *or fix its already wrecked state*