Home
Back
Maintenance Calories Formula:
| From: | To: |
Maintenance calories represent the number of calories a woman needs to consume daily to maintain her current weight, based on her Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and activity level.
The calculator uses the maintenance calories formula:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the total daily energy expenditure by multiplying the base metabolic rate with an activity factor that accounts for physical activity levels.
Details: Knowing your maintenance calories is essential for weight management - whether you want to maintain, lose, or gain weight. It provides a scientific basis for creating effective nutrition plans.
Tips: Enter your BMR in kcal/day and select your appropriate activity factor based on your weekly exercise routine. All values must be valid (BMR > 0).
Q1: What is BMR and how is it different from maintenance calories?
A: BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is the number of calories your body needs at complete rest, while maintenance calories include your activity level and represent total daily energy expenditure.
Q2: How accurate are activity factor multipliers?
A: Activity factors provide estimates based on population averages. Individual variations in metabolism and activity intensity can affect accuracy.
Q3: Should I use the same activity factor every day?
A: For consistent routines, use one factor. For varying activity levels, you may want to calculate different days separately and average them.
Q4: How often should I recalculate my maintenance calories?
A: Recalculate whenever your weight changes significantly (±5-10 lbs), activity level changes, or every 3-6 months to account for metabolic adaptations.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for weight loss planning?
A: Yes, by creating a calorie deficit of 300-500 calories below your maintenance level, you can achieve gradual and sustainable weight loss.