Calories in vs Calories out question

iamMaLisa
iamMaLisa Posts: 278 Member
edited September 29 in Health and Weight Loss
I have came across many websites that help you figure your BMR and then tell you how much calories a person typically will burn in a day, then will give a projected number of calories to eat in order to loose a pound a week, typically a 500 calorie deficit it looks like I am seeing. What I am seeing that’s really different is the BMR number, I realize this is just an approx number and each person is different, but how would you really know for sure? So that leads me to my second question. Has anyone wore a heart rate monitor for a full 24 hrs on a typical non work out day to see what their BMR really is? Or even worn it on several non work out days to get an average? That way you will know the number to subtract the 500 from, stick with that for awhile then recheck every so often? Just curious..

Replies

  • Huskeryogi
    Huskeryogi Posts: 578 Member
    BMR is if you do NOTHING all day but lay in bed. It's the number of calories your body burns to continue to keep all your organs functioning.

    So even if you put in sedentary for a lifestyle on MFP it's going to be higher than your BMR.
  • melizerd
    melizerd Posts: 870 Member
    I'm pretty sure the Body Bugg is a 24 hour monitor that you wear the whole time.

    Basically no matter what BMR is an estimate and every person should play with what works for them. For me 1200 calories a day is not enough no matter if I'm laying in bed, it makes my brain not function. If I up to 1400 calories I'm completely happy and still lose the same amount each week as I did at 1200 calories a day. I eat back about half my exercise calories (since I don't have a HRM) and that means I'm usually between 1500-1700 calories a day and haven't had a plateau since I started, even when I had slower weeks or one or two weeks I maintained.
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    You could take the average of different websites. Also, I figure as long as your body is responding to what your eating, plus you count your calories and don't go under 1200 it should be pretty close. I have had success with MFP so i'm guessing it is pretty accurate.
  • coachligia
    coachligia Posts: 10 Member
    Hi Girl,

    Most calculators are up and down!!! I do wear a bodybugg 24/7. Now the amount of calories burnt in a day will depend from person to person, including age, height, level of activity, etc.

    A day where I sit down most of the day my caloric burn will be around 2100 calories. Now I do exercise using Turbo Fire, and on those days combining a work day my caloric burn goes all the way up to around 3100. The deficit of 500 is also a ball park! Our bodies unfortunately don't work like banks. I wish it would!

    The longer you are into your journey, you are bound to hit plateaus! Not to worry tho, there is always ways around them. I believe keeping a nutritious diet within your caloric intake combined with being more active is the recipe for success in a weight loss journey!

    The quality of the fuel you put into your body will also help you or break you. Don't get me wrong I am far from being a robot, when it comes to nutrition, but I do notice that when I eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein I have tons more energy and the weight seems to come off easier.

    Well, I'll stop blabing! I hope this helps! =)

    PS: I am a Fitness/wellness Coach, if you would like I can run your numbers for you.

    Ligia
  • anna_lisa
    anna_lisa Posts: 486 Member
    IF YOU WANT TO CORRECTLY ASSESS WHAT YOUR BMR IS....

    BMR Formulas.

    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).

    English BMR Formula
    Women: BMR = 655 + ( 4.35 x weight in pounds ) + ( 4.7 x height in inches ) - ( 4.7 x age in years )
    Men: BMR = 66 + ( 6.23 x weight in pounds ) + ( 12.7 x height in inches ) - ( 6.8 x age in year )

    Metric BMR Formula
    Women: BMR = 655 + ( 9.6 x weight in kilos ) + ( 1.8 x height in cm ) - ( 4.7 x age in years )
    Men: BMR = 66 + ( 13.7 x weight in kilos ) + ( 5 x height in cm ) - ( 6.8 x age in years )

    Once you know your BMR, you can calculate your Daily Calorie Needs based on your activity level using the Harris Benedict Equation.
  • Kolohe71
    Kolohe71 Posts: 613 Member
    Warning - A typical execise HRM is not designed to be worn for extended periods of time and give accurate results. They are designed for elevated heart rates over a relatively short period of time. If you were to wear one for 24 hours, your results would be way off from your true BMR.

    Another thing to consider is what exactly BMR is refering to; as not all sites determine it's meaning in the same way. Here on MFP it is the true medical definition of being basically your couch potato calories which does not include any activity. Other sites will include "normal" daily activities and still call it a BMR. It is this variation in "normal" that will account for the differences in BMR.
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