[niclyf]

(131/2.2) = 60kg (take your current weight and convert to kg)
(60*7.18) + 790 = 1220.8 (RMR) (plug that number into this equation = RMR)
Working Factor: (from here ya gotta add to account for the work that you do)
Non-Workout or light workout days (RMR*1.2) = 1464.96
Heavy workout days (RMR*1.4) = 1709.12

KFisherX .. thanks for the formula .. here's what I came up with, just want to make sure I did it right based on your above formula, and my current weight of 120

(120/2.2) = 54
(54 * 7.18) + 790 = 1,177 (RMR)
Non-Workout/Light workout (1,177 * 1.2) = 1,412
Heavy Workout days (1,177 * 1.4) = 1,647


Leigh .. Thank you SO much for your input. I didn't want to bombard you with another PM, so I'm thrilled you were able to review my situation. I'm pretty much game to try anything you suggest at this point, I'm completely lost, frustrated and petrified right now that I'm going to just blow up like a balloon!! I'd like to address a couple of things you said.

You need a basic program of lifting and I wouldn't recommend NROL. you should stick to a higher rest body split style program. Just a simple upper/lower 4 days a week would suffice really.

Right now .. I'm going to the gym 4 days a week, do an hour of either the elliptical trainer or running, or a combo of both, then hit the weights. I'm doing a split routine working each muscle group one time per week. For instance, today I did biceps, triceps and shoulders, tomorrow I'll do cardio + chest & back, then friday I'll do cardio + legs, glutes. Does that look about right?

I don't think your metabolism is broken, I think your spirit is. AN is about control, in my opinion you can run from it (like you are doing now), let it destroy you (like you were doing before), or work with it.

You're definitely spot on with that. My spirit is absolutey broken. I feel like I'm d*mned if I do, I'm d*mned if I don't! I just want to figure out how to make peace with eating, without restricting, enjoy workouts again, without hearing the "drill sargent" in my head, and lead a normal life that isn't entirely focused on eating, exercising ,etc .. I'm working through a lot of those issues now, and just really longing to make peace with the whole process, accept the body I've got, and do the work I need to do to heal it, and get it working again the way it should be.

As for your activity level it varies. I always recommend to keep it simple use the Harris Benedict formula, times it by a lower activity level and then move up as need if loss is too much.

I've done the HB formula for BMR and it came out to 1,323. Suggested 15-20% caloric reduction for weight loss at a safe pace, which brings me to 1,059 - 1,125 calories per day. Does that sound about right to you? I am fairly active outside the gym between cutting grass, running errands, walking my dog, etc., but I'm sure more overall "movement" could easily be worked in. That'll become a lot easier come summer when the weather is more condusive, Chicago has been like a monsoon all spring!

Sorry to bombard you guys with all these questions. I just don't know who/where to turn to, and I have the utmost respect for everyone on this forum ... you seem to be far more educated on this stuff than I am.

Thanks again!
Nicole