Caloric Intake

Hello, after some health scares popped up, it is time for me to get healthy and lose weight.  I find it frustrating at the different directions that doctors have advised me.  IE, my cardiologist said Atkins is the way to go. My Primary Care doctors suggested using Alli. The Gastroenterologist (and another doctor) said Atkins, and drugs are bad, just do it the old fashion way by cutting calories and exercising.   So the later is what I am going to do.

My question is what kind of calorie goals should I be looking at?  Through my own research, I found the Harris-Benedict principle to assess my basal metabolic rate (BMR).   Through those calculations, my BMR came out to 3468.  Then it said to add in your activity level.  Currently I am pretty sedentary (only until i get better), so I will use that as a baseline.  Adding the 20% more back in, puts me at 4162 calories to remain constant.

BTW,  I am 30 years old, 6'5", and 350lbs.

So how much should I come down from that to have safe and healthy weight loss?

Currently I am at probably 2000-2500 calories, and I am loosing weight.  But feel fatigued all the time and am thinking this could be why.  What is a good target?

Thank you.

[Renee Radenberg]

For your height and weight you should closer be to 210 lbs - 250lbs., depending on muscle mass. It is great you decided to cut calories and exercise. The slower you loss weight the more likely you will keep it off. The range amount you are eating is good for you to lose weight. If you are "cutting calories" inappropriately, then you maybe lacking some vitamins and/or minerals, and nutrients, which may cause the fatigue. Try eating foods from all the food groups, especially fruits, vegetables and grains, and cutting portions instead (to cut calories).
It was a good attempt for you to do the BMR but I would not recommend an intake of 4000+ calories to maintain your weight. 2500 calories would be a good intake for weight maintenance. You are young and increasing exercising will burn calories and build lean muscle mass. As you loss weight, I suggest you measure your waist and not look at the scale. Muscle weights more then fat and as you build muscle it may not show weight loss. Best of luck and thank you for your question.

[willandv]

What does it take to become a registered dietitian? I've been studying nutrition and toxicology on my own for 10+ years now.

[Renee Radenberg]

Please ask your question as a new question. Thank you.