I am sure my BMR is incorrect

danehalstten
danehalstten Posts: 8
edited September 30 in Health and Weight Loss
Why? because I am a female with a BF% of 17 and the formula I am almost certain, uses an algorithm that does allow for females to have a tad more lean mass. I think it's done for the average 52 year old female. Is there any specialist out there that can confirm or refute my thoughts? I really want to know as I am dying on what it says I should be eating...low blood sugar headaches the works...help!!!

Replies

  • jonikeffer
    jonikeffer Posts: 218 Member
    You're a female with a body fat % of only 17 (which is low) and you're saying it's telling you to eat too few calories? Can you tell me/us why you're here....you're not trying to lose weight obviously?
  • danehalstten
    danehalstten Posts: 8
    I do want to get my body fat % down to about 13 to 14% and lose some of the extra menopausal fat on my *kitten* and legs. It might only be a small amount to most here but it bothers me and I did not know you have to be in the big digits to use MFP.

    I am very serious and this is bothering me. It is all relative and I am as unhappy as some of oyu that have more to lose are.
  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    If you're feeling that bad you probably do need to eat more. The more lean muscle you have the more calories you will burn at rest, but I don't know how much difference it makes. A woman shouldn't really have a body fat of less than 19 or 20% or it is considered unhealthy. You don't say whether you are trying to lose or gain weight, but if you feel you need to lose weight and you have a body fat of only 17% it would be worth getting that remeasured because it may be wrong. 17% is extremely low for women, even if they are in great shape. For a woman in her 40's or 50's it should be 23-35%. Of course everyone is different :smile:

    Did you remember to include your activity level in your setup? Selecting the wrong activity level can make a huge difference, as I found out. I selected slightly active instead of active initially and I was so hungry and light headed. Also remember to use your exercise calories.

    I'm sorry I couldn't be more help.
  • avidly
    avidly Posts: 6
    Keep in mind that the BMR that MFP gives you is how many calories you burn while absolutely doing NOTHING, as if you laid in bed all day and were comatose. The calculator on here says:
    "Your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is an estimate of how many calories you'd burn if you were to do nothing but rest for 24 hours. It represents the minimum amount of energy needed to keep your body functioning, including breathing and keeping your heart beating.

    Your BMR does not include the calories you burn from normal daily activities or exercise. "

    When restricting your calories, you need to factor in all of the activities you normally do during the day to get a proper calorie amount that you should be eating. BMR is just the calorie amount you need to stay alive and healthy. And you might be right. It would make sense that people with a higher lean mass to body fat ratio would have a higher metabolism (muscle burns far more than fat). If you feel weak, faint, or generally crappy eating the amount that you are, I would experiment and add on 100-200 calories and see if that helps.

    Your headaches could also be coming from withdrawals. Have you cut out sugar or caffeine recently? Your body might be adjusting. In that case, they should go away in a couple of weeks after your body is no longer addicted to those additives.

    Are you trying to lose weight or maintain it? With a BF% of 17, I can't imagine that it would be healthy for you to lose any weight. To add muscle weight, you need to be eating MORE than your maintenance calories (mostly protein).
  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    I do want to get my body fat % down to about 13 to 14% and lose some of the extra menopausal fat on my *kitten* and legs. It might only be a small amount to most here but it bothers me and I did not know you have to be in the big digits to use MFP.

    I am very serious and this is bothering me. It is all relative and I am as unhappy as some of oyu that have more to lose are.

    It sounds like exercise and toning up might be your best bet. I do wonder if it would be worth getting your body fat remeasured if you believe you definitely have excess fat. Getting it measured properly at the gym is the best way, some of the machines you just stand on or hold on to are inaccurate. Perhaps if you don't mind us knowing you could post your height and weight to give us a better idea of how to help?
  • avidly
    avidly Posts: 6
    I do want to get my body fat % down to about 13 to 14% and lose some of the extra menopausal fat on my *kitten* and legs. It might only be a small amount to most here but it bothers me and I did not know you have to be in the big digits to use MFP.

    I am very serious and this is bothering me. It is all relative and I am as unhappy as some of oyu that have more to lose are.

    I do not think calorie restriction is the way to go for this. At your current BF%, it is probably unhealthy as well. What you want is body recomposition. Unfortunately, we can't control what areas of our bodies get toned vs. what areas don't. Genetics are a *****. However, I do think squats and some lifting exercises will help you get closer to what you want.
    http://www.stumptuous.com/learning-the-squat-1-debunking-the-myths <-- here is a good introduction to the squat
    http://www.stumptuous.com/category/training/exercise_instruction <-- be sure to read the other parts, too
  • danehalstten
    danehalstten Posts: 8
    Thanks. I sit on my but in front of a computer so my activity level is as correct as it can get and I do eat my calories from exercise, every darn one of them. A female athlete even at 52 can sfely have a BF of 15%...really I am not skin and bone but healthy muscle.
  • danehalstten
    danehalstten Posts: 8
    Thanks..height is 5'8" and current weight as of this morning is 140 pounds. I lift so I have obvious muscle but there is this fat ring around my middle and love handles and I have noticed what I affectionately call "old lady" fatty dimples on my *kitten* and uuper legs. The top half of me looks like I am 25 ...lol
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