Your BMR minus 500?! Doesn't seem right.. Help MFP!

EthanJeremiahsMama
EthanJeremiahsMama Posts: 534 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi MFP. So I've been told that if I calculate my BMR then minus 500(deficit).. that's how many calories I should be eating in order to boost my metabolism - lose weight? But whoa.. that seriously doesn't seem right because 1,200 cals per day is what we at least need a day so our bodies do not go into "starvation mode" right??

I just want to be clear on this or find out, whether I am maintaining at this point & just toning up or trying to lose a little more.. I'd just like to understand this!

My BMR is currently 1,280.. and if I minus 500 then I get roughly 780. That is seriously impossible to me haha

Replies

  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Your BMR is the amount of calories your body needs if you lay in bed all day (like you were in a coma).

    From what I understand, you do not want to subtract 500 from your BMR, but from your TDEE (which is the amount of calories you burn based on your BMR and your activity level).

    And I should note that subtracting 500 from your TDEE doesn't work for everyone. You'll have to play around with your calories until you figure out what works best for you.
  • Lift_hard_eat_big
    Lift_hard_eat_big Posts: 2,278 Member
    Hi MFP. So I've been told that if I calculate my BMR then minus 500(deficit).. that's how many calories I should be eating in order to boost my metabolism - lose weight? But whoa.. that seriously doesn't seem right because 1,200 cals per day is what we at least need a day so our bodies do not go into "starvation mode" right??

    I just want to be clear on this or find out, whether I am maintaining at this point & just toning up or trying to lose a little more.. I'd just like to understand this!

    My BMR is currently 1,280.. and if I minus 500 then I get roughly 780. That is seriously impossible to me haha

    My mistake in my other post, it should be (BMRx activity level factor)-500kcal
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    chevy is right, you do not deduct it from your BMR unless you've been in bed all day.
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