Basal Metebolic Rate Question?

According to some online BMR calculators, my BMR is about 1700. I am about 160lbs male and 5'9". When I add my activity, such as my office job, 60 mins. of gym, etc, I am at right around 3200 calories per day to keep my weight in equilibrium.(I think thats how you spell that)

My problem, is that I know I dont eat 3200 caloires per day. I track this stuff, and I hover around 2500. I am not losing or gaining weight. What is my BMR? Any ideas?

Your BMR is about 1745 without taking activity into account. The most simple answer to your question is this: if you are eating about the same number of calories daily(2500) and not gaining or loosing any weight then your BMR including activity is probably around 2500. Wt gain is due to more calories consumed than burned, wt loss is due to less calories consumed than burned. you are right in the middle so you are probably consuming the proper number of calories to maintain you body weight. if you are trying to loose weight then try to cut about 300-500 calories per day from your usual diet.

1700 BMR may be about right... I think your exercise regemin assessment looks a little off. 1500 calories of activity is a lot. IMO, you are over estimating your daily activity. That is why your 3200 calories per day is high. If you were needing 3200 cal you'd and weren't consuming that you would be losing weight, which you are not. So, my guess is that your activity calculations is a little high.


Cheers

This number is based on a study done about 20-30 years back. It took a few hundred people, measured how much oxygen/carbon dioxide the used, and came up with a formula. However, in my experience with clients the equations overestimate. I think mine (5'10", 160) is about the same.

Best thing to do is go to a gym that has a medgem and use that. I think it costs about $20-30. That will meausure your oxygen. You could also take your BMR and figure out from there. At 1700 that's 70 calories/hr. Use that for the time you sleep (8*70=560 from sleep). If you're at an office job, use that as your work hours (ie. another 560). If you are in service and stand, use 140. For heavy lifting, use 210-280/hr. 60mins in the gym is about 800 cal / hr. Any sitting around would still be 70, and light walking maybe 140. Add it up and see what you get.

John