BMR vs. Caloric Intake?

[gonnabskinny]

Am I getting enough calories? I have been reading that I need to keep my caloric intake right about where my BMR is, however when I do that I feel miserably stuffed. It is still pretty hard to imagine that after so many years of stuffing my face when I was a carboholic! LOL

My current BMR for my weight at 269 lbs and aged 54 is 2302. Add in for my sedentary lifestyle with a desk job and it increases another 1036. I work out everyday with weights and cardio and probably average about another 300 to 400 calories burned in exercise per day. I never let my caloric intake dip below 1800 and it rarely does it ever go over 2000, with 2400 calories being the highest that I have gone in the past several months. (At that level I felt really bloated). In addition to that, I am on OWL rung three and about to go to rung four and 40 net carbs next week. I am one of the lucky ones that will probably be able to continue to climb the ladder to some of the upper rungs. I am still losing an average of 2 lbs per week and am dropping about 1/4 of an inch per week in my waist. I have been getting a little tired in the afternoons, but am not sure if that is because of a lack of calories or not enough sleep. With me working out now, I am up early each day now, but do not wake up tired. Usually I am getting about 6.5 to 7 hours of sleep per night.

So, should I bump up my calories, or should I just leave things the way they are? What do you think?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[*Emma*]

Re: BMR vs. Caloric Intake?

This is one of those when everyone differs in opinions!! heres mine...

Are you still losing?? if so, do what ya like until you stall... then take a look, its sooooooooo hard to meet these bloomin BMRs sometimes!! mines about 2000 i didnt eat that when i was addicted to carbs... there aint no way i could do it now!! as long as your not starving yourself, i wouldnt worry about it too much.

[julirama723]

Re: BMR vs. Caloric Intake?

I know if I don't eat enough I certainly FEEL it--I'm tired, feel weak, and don't have enough energy. My weight loss also stops if I eat below a certain point. I have the most success hovering around/above 2000, and on hungry days, I'll eat 2300-2400. But I also burn about 600 calories daily with exercise.

You know your BMR, but have you figured your caloric needs using the Harris Benedict equation? This factors in your exercise level.

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-ca...dict-equation/

Eating more calories shouldn't make you feel bloated, unless the food source causes bloating. Try eating more calorie-dense foods if you feel your calories are too low. You're moving to rung 4, meaning you can have berries. Eat your berries with heavy cream, or with a "fruit dip" made from cream cheese/sour cream and splenda. Nuts and cheese are calorie-dense and can raise your calories, as can butter and olive oil.

[*Emma*]

Re: BMR vs. Caloric Intake?

totally off subject but... This site always gives me a giggle...

try inputting my details... here http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

6ft tall
242lbs
female aged 27

heh

*edited to add*

mybodycomp.com says my body fat is 40.5
that site above says its 31.5 - thats a heck of a difference aint it??

[gonnabskinny]

Re: BMR vs. Caloric Intake?

[QUOTE=julirama723]
You know your BMR, but have you figured your caloric needs using the Harris Benedict equation? This factors in your exercise level.
QUOTE]

I looked it up and factored it in between moderate 3-5 days per week and strong 6-7 days. I figured that it was a moderate workout that I did every day. It came to 3769 using the Benedict Harris equation as opposed to 3688 the other way, so it was pretty close. So, assuming that I want to continue to lose a couple of pounds per week, which would be a 1000 calorie per day deficit, then I would need to raise my calorie intake to 2700 calories?

Can that be right? Or should I just raise my calorie intake to the level of my BMR, which is 2302?

[Brook]

Re: BMR vs. Caloric Intake?

Numbers. Blah.

I've never been a big fan of BMR calculators. They're too subjective and you can't find two that will give you the same answer. :dunno:

If you're losing at a steady pace of about 2lbs a week, you can afford to tinker and see if an additional 200-300 calorie snack will take the afternoon sleepies away.

[julirama723]

Re: BMR vs. Caloric Intake?

I wouldn't try to eat 2700 calories, but I would try to go up to 2000. Add in another snack or two. For me, it takes about 1.5-2 hours for me to feel the "energy" from my snack, since my snacks are usually high-fat/protein blends.