Confused about BMR calculation...

M

marinak

0
Hi all, I am new to this forum and posted a a little or a lot :) about myself here:
http://training.fitness.com/weight-loss/new-forum-need-helppp-23077.html
I am a little bit confused about how many calories I should be eating during a day. I usually aim for 1600 but was told that I should be eating close to 2000.
My physical activity varies, however I do 45 minutes classes in my gym ( spinning and kickboxing) and my heart monitor tells me I burn close to 500 calories. So let's say on a day when I take such class how do you calculate how much I should be eating? When I calculated my BMR on one of the sites it tells me 1400 to maintain my weight. But this number just seems a little odd considering my activity level. I do full body workout 3 times a week, 4 cardio sessions.
I am 5'4 and 130lbs would like to get leander and maintain my muscles.
Thank you
 
The first thing to remember is that the equations are estimates. Everybody is different and will have different needs. You will probably have to play around a bit before finding an amount that works for you and your goals.

One of the most commonly trusted equations is the Harris-Benedict equation. Working the HB equation with your info, it comes out to 1400 before multiplying by your activity level, which is the second part of it.

Putting you at moderately active, that turns out to 2101 to maintain. So, generally, you would subtract about 500kcals a day from that (or 20%), which gives you 1600-1680 kcals a day. Keep in mind these numbers are not absolute, but can give you a decent starting point.
 
Agreed. Always start with an estimate, watch how things adjust and lower or raise from there. It is better to take some time to figure out where your body is at then to wastes months depriving yourself or not losing any weight because you are fixated on one number.

I also recommend bouncing your caloric intake within ranges depending on activity in a day.
 
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