Quote Originally Posted by rabidgirl View Post
That said, you should be calculating your caloric requirements that include calories lost from exercise. That means your caloric need includes your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) PLUS the calories consumed during activity. If you have a polar that estimates Own Cal, that is among one of the best ways to judge expenditure. There is also a multiplier you could use... based on your description of your activity, you could use 1.55 (that's your RMR times 1.55). Now, to lose weight, you cut the caloric requirement by no more than 500 calories. Cut out more calories and you just won't have the energy you need and you could throw your body into starvation mode.
Thanks for your answer! So I'm to understand that I should consume enough calories in a day that includes my RMR, and whatever calories I burn through exercise?

I use a Nike HR monitor (same as Polar in all the functions) that calculates cal burned based on info I put into it.

When you say cut the caloric requirement by no more than 500 calories. What do you mean? What caloric requirement (the RMR, right?). So if my RMR is 1500 cal, and I burn 800 through exercise, I should consume 1800 calories that day? (1500+800-500?). Am I understanding right? Sometimes I have to have things spelled out for me like I'm 5.

My body fat percentage is high. To me that is the more important number than the scale. At my lowest, my trainer at the gym measured me at 18% body fat. Currently I'm at 27. I'd be thrilled with 24.

Thanks again so much for your information!!! It really helps me!