Importance of BMR

[Peej]

I'm confused about how important it is to be consuming enough calories to satisfy your BMR. Is it ok if I'm consistently 300 or so cals below my calculated BMR? Its just an estimate right? My ratios are always good with almost exactly 65/30/5, but the thought of eating any more (especially fat) makes me feel ill.

I'm already pushing myself to get within 300 calories. If I were just eating based on how much I am actually hungry for, I'd probably be eating less than 1000 calories a day. The lowest number I've gotten from any equation or calculator was around 2000.

Would it be better for me to force myself to get more calories in? I'm certainly not hungry and I'm eating at least 3 times a day. I've had some luck getting up past 1700 more often by having a larger breakfast. For some reason I have an easier time consuming fats in the morning than at night and I tend to be able to eat more on days that I don't exercise as much.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping that its ok for me to continue on the way I'm going. I've felt a little tired the last couple of days though (until I get up and hit the treadmill and then I feel absolutely wonderful all day) so I wanted to make sure that I'm not sabotaging myself by not eating enough.

[clogger]

Re: Importance of BMR

From what I've heard/read as long as you're getting in more than 1300 or 1400 calories your not starving yourself. When I log my food in FitDay I've consumed anywhere from 1300 to 2200 calories a day with an average of about 1800 calories per day. I exercise about 5 days per week including 3 days of weight lifting. The rest is cardio (treadmill, walking, clogging, walking/running).

Personally, I wouldn't worry about your BMR. Eat when you're hungry (make sure to eat enough), but if you're satisfied with 1600 or 1800 calories a day there's no reason for you to try and get in 2000 or more. That's just my opinion !

Much luck!

[Georgiana]

Re: Importance of BMR

The BMR is the amount of calories your body uses only for the functioning of the vital organs and of the central nervous system. If you eat much below the BMR, your body will go into starvation mode and cling to every pound. But whether "much below the BMR" is 100 or 500 calories, it depends on every person. In my opinion, if your BMR is 2000, eating 1700 calories should not cause you any problems.

[Peej]

Re: Importance of BMR

Thanks for the reassurance, ladies if I have any stalls I'll try to up my intake a little. Your input makes me feel much better about it!