Question of the Day

Maybe it's the weight we wish to achieve? What's the right answer ... if you are losing weight, how many calories do you really need? The answer is simple.
As a personal trainer, I never left the calories to blind fate. The Basal Metabolic Rate equations are a good starting point, but they are not set in stone. There are way too many variables to make them accurate or precise. I have had clients with the same weight, height, and gender who vary greatly with their metabolisms.

So, I would use any equation as a starting point and then use a dose of common sense and real world results to manipulate it. In other words, whether we use current weight or goal weight for the equation, if, after a few weeks, the subject isn't losing weight, it's time to reduce calories and increase energy expenditure a bit. If they are losing too quickly, we can raise them.

I believe instead of going through the math, it's easier just to do something ballpark like 10x or 12x body weight and then adjust from there. If you want to get more precise, consider software that adapts to your results like Diet Power.

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