Question about BMR and calories.

marcenepea
marcenepea Posts: 364 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm excited because 1 week ago I upped my calories from 1200 to 1460, and I lost 2 pounds this week. My question is if I upped it enough. According to MFP my BMR is 1560 and I'm eating around 1460 alittle less usually. I feel great eating what I have this week, not starving and I have energy. But I keep hearing that you should never eat less then your BMR.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Benefits and non about staying the same and/or upping the calories.

Replies

  • mollysonnotice
    mollysonnotice Posts: 140
    I found this to be a great explanation from http://www.actabit.com/bmr-faq
    The fact that Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is NOT the total number of calories needed based on weight, height, age and one's level of physical activity is so critical, it should appear as a heading on the BMR calculator box to avoid misunderstandings!

    BMR represents the caloric intake required by one's body to perform mostly involuntary functions like respiration, circulation and digestion. Think of it this way: if you were in a coma, it's the intake level required to sustain life!

    Once you've factored in the intake needed to cover an individual's level of physical activity, those calories are ADDED to BMR to determine the total daily caloric intake needed to MAINTAIN one's current weight.

    Since one pound equals 3,500 calories, a decrease/increase of 500 calories/day, should result in a loss/gain of 1 lb./week. A decrease/increase of 1,000 calories/day, should result in a loss/gain of 1 lb./week. That you maintain a varied, balanced diet with adequate nutrients essential to your body is very important to maintain good health, an efficient metabolism, and a sustainable weight loss.

    In general, to maintain good health, women should not have a daily caloric intake of LESS than 1,200 calories/day and men should not have an intake of LESS than 1,500 calories/day, and should consult with a physician before embarking on a diet that low in calories.

    I love using the BMR calculator (what I really love is that it does the math for me in a split second), but misunderstandings and misinformation such as that posted above are of great concern.
  • Birder150
    Birder150 Posts: 677 Member
    According to this site and fat2fit radio, my BMR is approx. 1800 calories.
    I ate an average of 2125 calories this past week, didn't do any exercise above my normal daily activity and today I'm down 2.2 lbs.

    I've lost 9.6 lbs in just over 1 month eating an average of 2010 calories daily for the month.
    This is no slower than when I tried to eat 1500 and less calories.

    I wish I would've known years ago that eating more (while still at a calorie deficit, of course) could still lead to weight loss for me.

    Your BMR is what your body requires just to exist, so eat at least that.
  • candicejn
    candicejn Posts: 458 Member
    According to this site and fat2fit radio, my BMR is approx. 1800 calories.
    I ate an average of 2125 calories this past week, didn't do any exercise above my normal daily activity and today I'm down 2.2 lbs.

    I've lost 9.6 lbs in just over 1 month eating an average of 2010 calories daily for the month.
    This is no slower than when I tried to eat 1500 and less calories.

    I wish I would've known years ago that eating more (while still at a calorie deficit, of course) could still lead to weight loss for me.

    Your BMR is what your body requires just to exist, so eat at least that.

    Love to hear these kinds of stories :) Thanks for sharing!
  • perdie7
    perdie7 Posts: 266 Member
    So I will add another question here:

    MFP has me at 1200 calories plus i eat my exercise back (usually 800-900),so I eat around 2000 a day, which MFP says I would then loose 1.3 pounds a week. This has been working good until lately.

    someone recommended this site

    http://www.health-calc.com/diet/energy-expenditure-advanced...

    According to this my BMR is 1513 and TDE is 3496, to lose 2lbs a week I should eat 2530

    which one Is it accurate? I'm currently netting about 1200 calories, should I up that? I've been stalled/ and always hungry for about a month. I know I've been eating badly, (lots of fast food and banquets or parties) so that could account for the stall.
  • marcenepea
    marcenepea Posts: 364 Member
    So I will add another question here:

    MFP has me at 1200 calories plus i eat my exercise back (usually 800-900),so I eat around 2000 a day, which MFP says I would then loose 1.3 pounds a week. This has been working good until lately.

    someone recommended this site

    http://www.health-calc.com/diet/energy-expenditure-advanced...

    According to this my BMR is 1513 and TDE is 3496, to lose 2lbs a week I should eat 2530

    which one Is it accurate? I'm currently netting about 1200 calories, should I up that? I've been stalled/ and always hungry for about a month. I know I've been eating badly, (lots of fast food and banquets or parties) so that could account for the stall.

    From what I have learned you should be eating over your BMR + most of your excersize calories. I have heard that if you take your TDEE and deduct 500 cal or 20% (I've read both) thats the number you should use. This is new to me as I just started last week, but week 1 it worked great. LOL I know its still really early, but I want to be able to eat food for the rest of my life. So I'm giving it a try. Good Luck in whatever you decide.
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