Correctly calculating my RDI

Hi,

Im new to this site. I have a question on figuring out what is my correct RDI. Im 5'4", female 29 years old and my current weight is 154.8.

Right now I have it set to sedentary and it gives me a cal intake of 1550. I do strength training 3 times a week and then do cardio 3 times a week. Im wondering if I should change my RDI to light activity or low active. Although when I do that I get a cal intake of 1800 cals. Why is it so high?

Sorry I need some help in this area.

Thanks!

I wouldn't update the RDI from sedentary, I would just add your work-outs to get your new RDI for the day.

Several people on here have the same issue with the BMI calculator on FS. Try the link below. You can set your RDI in FS to whatever you want.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/calc-bmi-plus

ironically, the rdi on fat secret has always been to high for me. (it recommended 2400 calories a day when i started here!) i tend to go with the very simple math of weight x 7 (the biggest loser recommendation) because its the easiest way for me to figure out my rdi on a daily basis. (according to fat secret, my sedentary rdi is still 300 calories above that!) and then switch it up every now and then. take high and low days to keep your body guessing. figure out what works best for you, and ignore the computer recommendation =).

g'luck

Hey all, I've been really interested about this topic too...

So I used the WebMD calculator, I said that I was "very active", which I'm not sure what that means, but I work out most days, 5-6 days a week, I participate in a team sport (just starting that, but hey)... and it told me that my RMR is 2623. That's even higher than FS's Resting and Sleeping - and I used another site to calculate my RMR and it came out to be only 1500...

Does anyone have something with maybe some REAL primary literature (peer reviewed journals, not magazines or newspapers) backing up their RMR/BMI/calorie calculator? I'd really like to find a site I can trust in order to get my RMR as close to real as possible.

I agree with everyone posting this! It's highly frustrating. I don't want to be doing all of this calorie counting only to find that the RDI calculator was way off! I'll see what I can find

-Jessica

I did the same thing at first. I missed the last question that asks what your goal is. A.Gain 1 lb a week B.Gain 1/2 lb a week. C.Maintain D. lose 1/2lb a week E.lose 1 lb a week. My original RDI said 2400. When I changed it to lose 1 lb a week it dropped to 1800. Don't know if this helps but I have been losing at that level.

Another easy method if you want to keep your numbers on the low side is from the book and TV Show "Cook yourself Thin" Take the weight you want to be time 10 and that should be your calorie intake.

An easy way to do that would be the way sherri suggested. I coincidentally use the biggest loser math.

If you want to calculate your RDI yourself. Here are the calculations that I've found.

BMR formula- What you burn daily...use with Harris Benedict Equation (below) for RDI...
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/bmr-formula.php

Harris Benedict Equation- What you're suppose to eat daily to maintain your weight... Also simple explanations of activity levels...
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/

There is a link to the calculations to add for weight loss on the HBE, but that's the simple stuff. subtract 500 calories a day for one pound a week or more, but don't reduce less than 1200 cal/day.

Hope this helps.

just low ball yourself. put yourself on the next lowest setting than what you think you should be at, go with that then try to make sure you get at least 500 calories burned past that everyday and you'll lose weight for sure.

I have found the FatSecret RDI to be pretty accurate, if you log every little thing you eat. It's not good to lowball your intake too much. It can slow your metabolism - been there...

I'm going to go with those calculations. Thank you Sherry.

Yes I take my weight X's 7 and that is working for me so far this week.

I'm a 5'7'' female who weighs about 180 lbs. I do nearly an hour of cardio and free weights 4-5 times a week. I saw a nutritionist and she gave my a recommended intake of 1500 calories, with 500 calories expended through working out. On the presumption that my body is actually burning approximately 2000 calories per day, I'm running a 1000 calorie deficit, and this seems to work for me.

I'm not sure of what my real RDI is, but I just focus on maintaining a healthy calorie deficit according to the FatSecret settings and it has been working for me so far.

Good luck!

Jothika

on whatever site the RDI will always be an estimate, if one does activities 6 times a week I would think she is at least lightly active.
In my experience RDI on FS is fairly accurate