Calories?

Question
QUESTION: I'm trying to lose about 60lbs of fat. I'm 4ft 10in and i am 145lbs. my goal weight is 90(weight was recommended by a doctor)Most people think thats really low, but i'm very short so it isn't for my body type.Anyway, i keep researching calories, bmr and rmr. What do i follow? The decrease it by 500 a day rule. Or can i get the bmr of my goal weight and do it that way? Eat like a 90 pound me would. which would be 1230 calories a day. Thats about 500 less than if i were to get my bmr for my current weight. I don't do much activity. I don't even go to school. its online so i sit pretty much all day. sometimes, if i feel like it, ill go on a eliptical for a half hour. But the calories counters on that is just wayyy too inaccurate for me to use for my calorie counts. So if it says i burned 300 ill eat 150 more.

Main question, if i eat the BMR of my goal weight, will i reach my goal? i'm aiming for 1200 a day right now.

Thanks!

ANSWER: RMR (resting metabolic rate) is a very good tool to use when trying to loose weight. A balanced diet and exercise work hand in hand to mold your body into the proper shape and size that you require for optimal health. At 90 lbs your BMI is 18.81 which is a little close to the 18.5 min. I would say 94-95 pound may be a slightly better weight for you , but if your doctor is saying 90 lbs, he must have a reason for such a low number.  I would first work on proper eating and proper exercise. Your current BMI is 30.31 which is very unhealthy. You did not include information that I would need to assess you more accurately but I would suggest that you should work with your doctor and a nutritionist to achieve your goals. I would also tell you to employ a personal trainer to help you with your exercise needs.

Thanks for writing and best wishes

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: RMR for me is 1098. Which is around what i had yesterday. i had 1105 so its possible for me to do. I have a balanced diet. protein, simple carbs, complex carbs, fiber,etc. I cant go back to my doctor since i have moved due to financial issues. Which also means i can't hire anyone to help me. Nutritionist or personal trainer, i cant afford it. What other information would you need? I'm starting a new excersise plan. 3-4 days a week i'll be doing 25 sit ups, 25 push ups. I'm gonna lift weights and go on a eliptical. I'm trying to build more muscle. I dont have much as of now. thanks :)

ANSWER: Gina RMR is what I prefer to use, do to the fact that you can actually have a test done by breathing into this tube to determine almost precisely what your RMR truly is and that is an asset. Where as BMR is a calculation that can change more rapidly requiring more calculation. Normally RMR is slightly higher then BMR unless you metabolism is completely inert. Which ever way you look at it if you are subtracting 500 calories from you diet per day you will take the weight off either way.

The info I would need to help you further is general:
#info that you did not include is medical problems, special allergies,age, Last physical and blood test results, and physical limitations. This would help me to determine basic needs, and if this can be done through the computer.

Thanks

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, i know that i do have a very slow metabolism as of now. It seems to run in the family. As far as medical problems im anemic. I dont have allergies to anything as far as i know. i'm 17 (about to be 18#. Last physical was june of 10' and blood test was fine# i was healthy except for the weight im carrying around# I cant do extreme exercise. A few years ago my friend pulled down my back pack which caused me to involuntarily bend completely backward #ouch# every since then i've had pain in my back after exercise# However, it has improved over the years# Doctors cant seem to find a problem# =/ But instead of subtracting calories will eating how ever many calories my goal weight would need work?

My current BMR: 1,453
Goal weights BMR: 1,250
If i just eat the 1,250 calories will i reach my goal weight? I just thought it was easier instead of subtracting :) All were done with calculators online. I used many and got an average.

Answer
I think it best for you to find someone in your area that can perform the RMR test so that you can get a comparison between these two numbers.  It would be beneficial for you to know how many calories you are actually burning off with little to no activity. Once you have this number then you can make a determination of to how many calories to eat per day.

As for your other two issues I would say that you are a person that needs to work with an actual professional who can monitor your progress. Working with you over the computer is not a good option for you except for getting some sound advice. The two issues you have are not major, but without being monitored they can cause issues that can only be seen or found by a trained professional who is handling your specific case. I understand the lack of money, but in my opinion working with medical and nutritional professionals would be your best bet.

Thanks for writing and good luck  

1. Prev:Is this a good plan to lose 10lbs?
2. Next:workout and diet