Group: General Diet & Nutrition

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 399, Messages: 16719

With such a topic so broad we truly try to cover the basics from all angles in this group. Nothing too big or too small. Nutrition is as significant if not more as exercise is to reaching your goals so learn all you can.

Join group

Confused about calories...

KariJC
KariJC
Posts: 1
Joined: 2008/08/14
Canada
2008/08/14, 01:34 AM
Uhm, could someone please explain to me how eating more calories than i'm currently eating is supposed to help me lose weight?? haha. i always thought the less calories the better, but i just found out that i eat at least a good 700 calories less then my average target...i don't get it :(
docksideguy05
docksideguy05
Posts: 90
Joined: 2008/05/15
United States
2008/08/14, 03:51 AM
If you eat too few calories your body goes into starvation mode and will actually store fat and burn muscle as energy.(that's how i understand it anyways) so if you're eating 700 less then your target you could actually gain weight slowly and lose muscle
Wilburburns
Wilburburns
Posts: 69
Joined: 2008/06/12
United States
2008/08/14, 11:53 AM
Where or how did you calculate your average "Target"...

I have been warned by many that the calculator on this site is wrong and often times states way to many calories for "Maintenance".

Also, I bet you only eat a couple of times a day. If this is correct, you should eat on a more regular schedule with 3-5 smaller meals.

Cliff
docksideguy05
docksideguy05
Posts: 90
Joined: 2008/05/15
United States
2008/08/14, 07:43 PM
I bought the book scrawny to brawny, it's got some calculations in it that take into account body fat, lean muscle mass, and a bunch of other factors into it. My BMR(basal metabolic rate, or the amount of calories i need to eat on a non workout day to not lose weight) is about 3500 calories a day. I'm at work right now so i don't have all of the formulas but in the morning when I get home i'll get them and post it