Why do I get 1900 calories to eat when my daily calorie burn is estimated at 1615?

Hi All,

I just started this at the end of July but I've made great progress. I don't know what I weighed at the beginning but my clothes fit better! I can now wear a pair of shorts that I couldn't earlier in the summer.
I'm confused about the target RDI of 1900 calories and the about of calories I am estimated to burn in a a day which is 1615 between resting and sleeping.
Can anyone tell me why they estimate that I should eat 1900?
Thank you in advance,
Happy to be losing this baby related weight,
NewEnglandMom

The 1615 almost certainly represents your resting metabolic rate, which doesn't include the energy you burn from all of your daily activity. The recommendation of 1900 is the website's guess as to the amount that will give you a modest calorie deficit from your total daily calorie burn.
FatSecret is probably estimating that on a given day, you burn about 1615 calories at rest, and perhaps another 800 or 900 from activity.

Hi NEM:

Well, I believe that your RDI is calculated depending on your current (starting) weight, age, height, activity level and how many lbs you want to lose. FS calculates this for you - you just have to enter the values in. Go to the "My Diet" link on the page to do this. Weight comes off when you burn more calories than what you consume each day. 1 pound is equal to 3500 calories. So for example, if you consumed 1500 calories one day, but you exercised and burned off 2000 throughout that day, the difference would be 500. That 500 calories contributes towards the 3500 calories which is equal to 1 pound. Have a 500-calorie deficit each day, and you would burn 1 pound (3500 cals) in a 7-day week. I hope this helps. I know, it can be very confusing.

All,
Thank you for your responses. This all helps and makes sense. I actually lost 2 pounds between last week and this week. Not 'Biggest Loser' stuff but slow and steady wins the race! If the race is long enough.
NEM