 |
|
| Moderated by: Moderator Team | ||
| Author | Post | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ranak New Member 
|
Hi all, I've been trying to get back into the swing of losing weight. However, for the last couple of years it just seems like it's been very hard to do. Here's my situation: I just turned 40. I'm 5' 11, 250 lbs., and currently sitting at 30.5% body fat. I'm moderatley active (running 3 times a week, weight training and kickboxing on another 3 days of the week) and have cut out sugars and lowered my carb intake. I'm currently taking in around 2400 calories/day, drinking plenty of water, and don't seem to be getting anywhere weight loss wise. Since I know the majority of weight loss comes from diet, my question is this: Should I be eating for my BMR (which is 2250 based on some of the calculators that i've seen), or should I be eating more along the lines of the Harris Benedict Equation (BMR x 1.55 since I say moderate activity: Currently standing at 3470 calories)? I've seen comments stating both, and it's causing some confussion, hence my posting here looking for assistance. Thanks in advance. |
|||||||
|
grangers710 New Member
|
weight loss for an overweight individual is 99.9% the time as simple as calories in vs calories out. The BMR calculators are estimates based upon the entire population so it might say yours is 2200 but in fact its 2100 or 2000 or maybe even less. Are you counting calories or estimating what you're taking in? I definitely would not be eating 3470 cals a day, that will only let you gain weight for someone your height and age. The 2400 cals seems high to me to begin with unless you're eating significantly under it. If you're shooting to eat at your maintenance calorie estimate you'll get nowhere but just stagnate, you need to eat less than maintenance and at your current weight, the less you eat the quicker the fat loss will be (up to a certain level). I'm not sure if you're male or female, but I'm 5'11 and I eat 1500 cals a day when I'm trying to cut a few pounds. |
|||||||
|
Nir Senior Administrator 
|
Yes, if you aim for a lower amount (for example 1800) then even if there is a systematic problem with your calorie counting then you should get better results. Eating too few calories, to the extent that it is a problem, generally only affects lean people - so this should not be a concern for you at this time. If you are wondering how to keep yourself satisfied on fewer calories - use more of your calories for vegetables, beans and fruit. |
|||||||