MFP calorie vs BMR calculation
sarah4284
Posts: 29 Member
I'm 5'8 and currently 265lbs, started at 308 in august, have been trying to reduce my calories a little more but not sure how much to. MFP says 1800 is my daily goal for losing 2lbs a week(my weight and goals have been updated so its current), but based on the BMR calculation and multiplying it by 1.2 for sedentary (I'm a cashier 5 days a week, about 6 hours on my feet, other 2 days work in a barn 3 hours of walking around, but not much more besides that) and it puts me at 2439 for maintenance so would be 1439 for losing 2lbs a week? The last month or so I generally try to stay under 1500 anyway, but the last 2 weeks have been more towards 1200, is that a realistic number for my height and weight? My first goal was to lose 100 by next august, but with how it has been going looking more like it will be in the 80s.
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You're not sedentary so I have no idea why you're using that multiplier. Use the goal that MFP gave you. Don't obsess over arbitrary timeliness. Good health is a lifelong pursuit.5
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1200 is way too little for someone your weight, no matter your height.3
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I feel like I've hardly made progress by sticking to the MFP goal, given I have had some bad binging days, but overall have changed my eating habits, became a vegetarian which also made it so I very rarely eat fast food(occasional fries) instead of eating it multiple times a week, stopped drinking soda, and just generally try to fill up on vegetables. I'm not extremely set on hitting the goal of 100 in a year, I know the fastest way is not the healthiest, so I'm trying not to go too low, but just have not been seeing the results I hoped for.0
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You've lost 43 lbs. How is that hardly making progress? And if you have a problem with binging the worst thing you can do is cut your calories way low.7
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My main goal was to lose enough weight to bring my horse back into work, that's part of the pressure I guess, don't want him sitting around for longer than he has to, thinking about it 43lbs is progress, but compared to what I want to lose before riding again (another 30lbs or so) it just seems frustrating I guess. For the most part my binging is worse on weekends when I do increase my calories closer to the goal as I only work in the mornings, so ill eat lunch, when on weekdays it is much easier as I don't eat until after 5pm which makes it easier to stay around 1200-1500 and never have binging problems on those days.
So just did the BMR and multiplied it by the amount for lightly active and it is about 1795 for 2lbs a week.. Is that more realistic?0 -
My main goal was to lose enough weight to bring my horse back into work, that's part of the pressure I guess, don't want him sitting around for longer than he has to, thinking about it 43lbs is progress, but compared to what I want to lose before riding again (another 30lbs or so) it just seems frustrating I guess. For the most part my binging is worse on weekends when I do increase my calories closer to the goal as I only work in the mornings, so ill eat lunch, when on weekdays it is much easier as I don't eat until after 5pm which makes it easier to stay around 1200-1500 and never have binging problems on those days.
So just did the BMR and multiplied it by the amount for lightly active and it is about 1795 for 2lbs a week.. Is that more realistic?
It's pretty much the same as MFP. Five calories different. Bottom line, you will lose at that calorie level. It may or may not be 2 lbs per week. I don't know what to tell you about your horse. Does he have a pasture to go out in? I'm assuming he's not stuck indoors 24/7/365. He get some exercise, right?1 -
My main goal was to lose enough weight to bring my horse back into work, that's part of the pressure I guess, don't want him sitting around for longer than he has to, thinking about it 43lbs is progress, but compared to what I want to lose before riding again (another 30lbs or so) it just seems frustrating I guess. For the most part my binging is worse on weekends when I do increase my calories closer to the goal as I only work in the mornings, so ill eat lunch, when on weekdays it is much easier as I don't eat until after 5pm which makes it easier to stay around 1200-1500 and never have binging problems on those days.
So just did the BMR and multiplied it by the amount for lightly active and it is about 1795 for 2lbs a week.. Is that more realistic?
If I read this right, you will often skip breakfast and lunch, eating all your calories at dinner!?
My understanding is this is a huge mistake and your weight will come off quicker if you are grazing, or spreading your calories out through the day. When I was seeing a weight loss dietitian some time ago, she had me to three meals and two snacks. The mid morning snack might be just a string cheese packed and some fruit, but it helps keep your metabolism up and burning fat.0 -
My main goal was to lose enough weight to bring my horse back into work, that's part of the pressure I guess, don't want him sitting around for longer than he has to, thinking about it 43lbs is progress, but compared to what I want to lose before riding again (another 30lbs or so) it just seems frustrating I guess. For the most part my binging is worse on weekends when I do increase my calories closer to the goal as I only work in the mornings, so ill eat lunch, when on weekdays it is much easier as I don't eat until after 5pm which makes it easier to stay around 1200-1500 and never have binging problems on those days.
So just did the BMR and multiplied it by the amount for lightly active and it is about 1795 for 2lbs a week.. Is that more realistic?
If I read this right, you will often skip breakfast and lunch, eating all your calories at dinner!?
My understanding is this is a huge mistake and your weight will come off quicker if you are grazing, or spreading your calories out through the day. When I was seeing a weight loss dietitian some time ago, she had me to three meals and two snacks. The mid morning snack might be just a string cheese packed and some fruit, but it helps keep your metabolism up and burning fat.
It is now understood that more meals does not mean more/faster weight loss or better metabolism. They may help some people manage hunger, which can improve diet sustainability, but it is very individual. For example, some people also find that intermittent fasting, which is usage of a restricted eating period (e.g., 4 pm - 10 pm each day) helps with hunger management. Overall, the calorie deficit is what rules weight loss.5 -
Yes, I never eat breakfast or lunch Monday-Friday, for me it's personally much easier, if I eat breakfast I feel hungrier all day, but if I don't eat before work then sometimes I'm still barely hungry by 5pm when I get home for dinner. I usually spread the calories out though, have a snack when I get home, go outside and do chores, then have dinner, and have another few snacks later. Usually plan out my meals and log them the day before so I stick to what I was planning, but of course if I end up eating any extra I log it after.0
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Metabolism also matters greatly, and your diet can affect your metabolism.My main goal was to lose enough weight to bring my horse back into work, that's part of the pressure I guess, don't want him sitting around for longer than he has to, thinking about it 43lbs is progress, but compared to what I want to lose before riding again (another 30lbs or so) it just seems frustrating I guess. For the most part my binging is worse on weekends when I do increase my calories closer to the goal as I only work in the mornings, so ill eat lunch, when on weekdays it is much easier as I don't eat until after 5pm which makes it easier to stay around 1200-1500 and never have binging problems on those days.
So just did the BMR and multiplied it by the amount for lightly active and it is about 1795 for 2lbs a week.. Is that more realistic?
If I read this right, you will often skip breakfast and lunch, eating all your calories at dinner!?
My understanding is this is a huge mistake and your weight will come off quicker if you are grazing, or spreading your calories out through the day. When I was seeing a weight loss dietitian some time ago, she had me to three meals and two snacks. The mid morning snack might be just a string cheese packed and some fruit, but it helps keep your metabolism up and burning fat.
It is now understood that more meals does not mean more/faster weight loss or better metabolism. They may help some people manage hunger, which can improve diet sustainability, but it is very individual. For example, some people also find that intermittent fasting, which is usage of a restricted eating period (e.g., 4 pm - 10 pm each day) helps with hunger management. Overall, the calorie deficit is what rules weight loss.
I'd urge the OP to experiment and start the day with some nutrition for several days. Remember, she posted here because she feels like she's not progressing.
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Metabolism also matters greatly, and your diet can affect your metabolism.My main goal was to lose enough weight to bring my horse back into work, that's part of the pressure I guess, don't want him sitting around for longer than he has to, thinking about it 43lbs is progress, but compared to what I want to lose before riding again (another 30lbs or so) it just seems frustrating I guess. For the most part my binging is worse on weekends when I do increase my calories closer to the goal as I only work in the mornings, so ill eat lunch, when on weekdays it is much easier as I don't eat until after 5pm which makes it easier to stay around 1200-1500 and never have binging problems on those days.
So just did the BMR and multiplied it by the amount for lightly active and it is about 1795 for 2lbs a week.. Is that more realistic?
If I read this right, you will often skip breakfast and lunch, eating all your calories at dinner!?
My understanding is this is a huge mistake and your weight will come off quicker if you are grazing, or spreading your calories out through the day. When I was seeing a weight loss dietitian some time ago, she had me to three meals and two snacks. The mid morning snack might be just a string cheese packed and some fruit, but it helps keep your metabolism up and burning fat.
It is now understood that more meals does not mean more/faster weight loss or better metabolism. They may help some people manage hunger, which can improve diet sustainability, but it is very individual. For example, some people also find that intermittent fasting, which is usage of a restricted eating period (e.g., 4 pm - 10 pm each day) helps with hunger management. Overall, the calorie deficit is what rules weight loss.
I'd urge the OP to experiment and start the day with some nutrition for several days. Remember, she posted here because she feels like she's not progressing.
She's progressing...just not as fast as she'd hoped.
She also said she does better on the days she starts eating later in the day.
She's doing fine as she is.
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Metabolism also matters greatly, and your diet can affect your metabolism.My main goal was to lose enough weight to bring my horse back into work, that's part of the pressure I guess, don't want him sitting around for longer than he has to, thinking about it 43lbs is progress, but compared to what I want to lose before riding again (another 30lbs or so) it just seems frustrating I guess. For the most part my binging is worse on weekends when I do increase my calories closer to the goal as I only work in the mornings, so ill eat lunch, when on weekdays it is much easier as I don't eat until after 5pm which makes it easier to stay around 1200-1500 and never have binging problems on those days.
So just did the BMR and multiplied it by the amount for lightly active and it is about 1795 for 2lbs a week.. Is that more realistic?
If I read this right, you will often skip breakfast and lunch, eating all your calories at dinner!?
My understanding is this is a huge mistake and your weight will come off quicker if you are grazing, or spreading your calories out through the day. When I was seeing a weight loss dietitian some time ago, she had me to three meals and two snacks. The mid morning snack might be just a string cheese packed and some fruit, but it helps keep your metabolism up and burning fat.
It is now understood that more meals does not mean more/faster weight loss or better metabolism. They may help some people manage hunger, which can improve diet sustainability, but it is very individual. For example, some people also find that intermittent fasting, which is usage of a restricted eating period (e.g., 4 pm - 10 pm each day) helps with hunger management. Overall, the calorie deficit is what rules weight loss.
I'd urge the OP to experiment and start the day with some nutrition for several days. Remember, she posted here because she feels like she's not progressing.
She's progressing...just not as fast as she'd hoped.
She also said she does better on the days she starts eating later in the day.
She's doing fine as she is.
Agreed.
She has lost 43 lbs in 5 months. That is excellent progress.2
This discussion has been closed.
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