Question about this BMR stuff....(help!?)

[xxmanduh]

So, I did the little BMR calculator thing - I put in my weight / height / and age - (5'6 - 250 - 23)

and it shot out 1994.something - does that mean that's how many calories I should consume to maintain 250?

If so - how many calories should I consume to LOSE weight (aiming for about 4lbs a week, i am aware that some weeks ill lose more and some weeks ill lose less)

I was going to eat about 1000-1200 to start off with (on a high protein diet). Considering I have 2 jobs where I sit on my butt all day I'll be going to the gym, not for an extensive amount of time - but I'll do about 20 minutes with the weights and then probably hitting up the treadmill for a little speedy inclined hike.

I also signed up for a fitday account - it said that just sitting on my butt all day burns 2000 some odd calories? Is that true? I am so confused about all of these numbers!! Help!

 

[Steve]

So, I did the little BMR calculator thing - I put in my weight / height / and age - (5'6 - 250 - 23)

and it shot out 1994.something - does that mean that's how many calories I should consume to maintain 250?

Hard to say without seeing the calculator you used. If it truly only calculated BMR than no... BMR is not the same as your maintenance. BMR is the calories required to maintain your body and fuel your body's needs while in a complete state of rest.

Maintenance is BMR + activity, generally speaking.

If so - how many calories should I consume to LOSE weight (aiming for about 4lbs a week, i am aware that some weeks ill lose more and some weeks ill lose less)

How did you pick 4?

Usually 1% every week or two is about right. You don't get to pick and choose what you lose per week.

There are no blanket right or wrongs but in general, a deficit of 25-30
% off your MAINTENANCE is a good place to start.

I was going to eat about 1000-1200 to start off with (on a high protein diet).

That seems silly and unsustainable to me... but that's my opinion.

I also signed up for a fitday account - it said that just sitting on my butt all day burns 2000 some odd calories? Is that true? I am so confused about all of these numbers!! Help!

Don't sweat the numbers so much. Remember, you're not signing a contract here. You MUST adjust calories according to how your body responds. Even if some silly calculator tells you you need to take in, say, 2000 calories per day to lose weight... that doesn't mean it's completely accurate for YOU. It's simply a ballpark. As time passes and you keep tabs on various metrics (measurements, how clothes are fitting, reflection, weight, etc), you must adjust your diet based on whether you're losing weight too quickly or too slowly... maybe not at all. I'd reassess things every 2 weeks or so.

 

[xxmanduh]

How did you pick 4?

I picked 4 (technically 3.87) based on how much weight I want to lose x a date that *I* feel is reasonable enough as a "goal date"

There are no blanket right or wrongs but in general, a deficit of 25-30
% off your MAINTENANCE is a good place to start.

So - if I had really no idea on how many calories I consumed per day & based it off of some online calculator (minus the 25-30%) I'd need to consume about 1400 calories a day to lose weight. Yet 1200 is silly and unsustainable? Are 200 calories really going to make that much of a difference?

Especially considering the fact that I live a pretty "lazy" / sedentary lifestyle. I have 2 desk jobs (I work about 11 hrs a day) and I'll probably end up going to the gym on my way home from work for about an hour and a half mon-fri.

I'm not being snotty - I just really don't have enough info I suppose! Thanks!

 

[usedtobefatmatt]

Manduh,
I have a desk job as well for 10 hours a day. Add on a family at home and i always said i had no time. (that was excuse 102,394) When i did decide to make my change i found time. You will be surprised when you want to do it, the time you will have. Fortunately, i am able to eat lunch at my desk. So i will walk/run at lunch. I will do 45 minutes and it's a great workout. I also get two 15 minute breaks. I walk around the parking lot or walk the stairs between floors when it rains. That is about an hour before i even leave work and doesnt cut into the time with the kids.

Time management is very important, find some time and you will see the results.

Good Luck,

Matt

 

[Steve]

Well I didn't care for your response at all so I'll leave you with a simple: READ THE STICKIES.

Your questions are answered there.

No offense taken and I don't really care if you were being snotty or not. It's just not a conversation I feel the need partake in further.

Best to you.