Does anyone have any guesses as to the margin of error for BMR calculations? Is there any way to get a more accurate number? I'm having some issues with my diet and as far as I can tell, to lose weight I need to eat much less than the formulas say I should...

Currently I'm 27, 6' and 202lbs. The scale says 32% body fat for what it's worth... By all accounts, my base rate should be around 2,000 calories a day, give or take 100 depending on the method used. I have a computer job, but try to take walks and climb stairs during the day. I do cardio 6x a week and weights 3x a week, and I spend evenings fairly active, playing with kids and such. By all accounts I should be using in the neighborhood of 3,000-3,500 calories a day.

Ok, so here's the catch... If I eat 2500 calories a day, I gain weight. Not only that, but I also have to stuff myself until I feel sick, I have a hard time eating that much. On the flip side, it seems if I stick around 1800 calories a day, I lose 1-2 lbs a week and I don't feel like I'm stuffing myself.

Any idea why the BMR seems to be way off for me? Should I just stick with what works and not worry about it? I'm concerned that 1800 calories isn't enough, but I have a real hard time eating much more... My typical daily diet looks something like this:

1) 8 oz light OJ, 1 Cup Kashi Go-Lean, 4 slices canadian bacon or eggs
2) 1C lowfat cottage cheese, 2 low fat skim string cheese sticks, 12 carrot sticks
3) turkey sandwich with 3 oz meat, 1 slice low fat cheese, 1 tblsp low fat mayo and 2 slices multi-grain low carb bread
4) 2 scoops whey protein shake (low/no sugar) & apple
5) chicken breasts, veggie, brown rice

Typically this gets me to 1600-1800 calories and honestly, it seems like a lot of food to me...

Get your body mass ratio (BMR) here :
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

BMR numbers frequently skew a couple hundred calories high. Don't worry about it. The only way to find the "real" number is trial and error.

If you're comfortable and meeting your goals at 1800, stick at 1800.

Does anyone have any guesses as to the margin of error for BMR calculations? Is there any way to get a more accurate number? I'm having some issues with my diet and as far as I can tell, to lose weight I need to eat much less than the formulas say I should...

Currently I'm 27, 6' and 202lbs. The scale says 32% body fat for what it's worth... By all accounts, my base rate should be around 2,000 calories a day, give or take 100 depending on the method used. I have a computer job, but try to take walks and climb stairs during the day. I do cardio 6x a week and weights 3x a week, and I spend evenings fairly active, playing with kids and such. By all accounts I should be using in the neighborhood of 3,000-3,500 calories a day.

Ok, so here's the catch... If I eat 2500 calories a day, I gain weight. Not only that, but I also have to stuff myself until I feel sick, I have a hard time eating that much. On the flip side, it seems if I stick around 1800 calories a day, I lose 1-2 lbs a week and I don't feel like I'm stuffing myself.

Any idea why the BMR seems to be way off for me? Should I just stick with what works and not worry about it? I'm concerned that 1800 calories isn't enough, but I have a real hard time eating much more... My typical daily diet looks something like this:


Don't worry about the BMR calculations - they are simply estimates based on population data; each of us has a slightly different metabolism and different activity level. However, the BMR calculation is a good starting point for you to use. 1)track your calories 2)track your weight, bf, lean mass. Take in as many calories as required for your needs (e.g. maintain at x calories if weight doesn't change; change calories up or down to lose/gain as desired after 1-2 weeks of monitoring.) On the other hand, if the BMR calculation is waaay off, AND you have some other signs like lethargy, fatigue, constipation etc. you may want to get checked out for real health problems like hypothyroidism.