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JohnJohnJohn · 07-26-2007, 08:58 AM

Thanks for developing this! It is very cool and surprisingly, very rare on the net. I looked everywhere for a calculator that would also predict rate of weight loss given an amount planned to be consumed.

I am currently on a plan to lose 135 lbs by reducing my calories to 1500 per day. You calculator accurately predicts my first week's weight loss. But, as you admit, your results become increasingly inaccurate for a longer program like mine.

If I accept your prediction that I will lose 4.3 lbs per week, I'd think I would be at my target in just over 31 weeks. BUT, since the weekly weight loss decreases as I lose weight and keep the input (1500/day) constant, in reality it will take me more like 40 weeks to hit my goal. (And of course this all assumes I stay on plan!)

If you want to make your calculator truly useful you can easily calculate the estimated time to hit the target by simply calculating each day's predicted loss, subtracting that predicted weight loss and then using that as the basis for calculating the next day's loss and so on until the target is reached. I created a cool Excel spreadsheet that does just that.

Another suggestion I would make is don't make me enter 0s for unused fields. If my hourly entries total to 24 then assume I meant 0 for the remaining fields!

Finally, to make this tool the best it can be I'd recommend you allow me to choose how to enter my activities. Leave the current method in place for nuts like me who like calculating every little thing. But make it simpler for the "regular" folks who would prefer to just check a box. Maybe offer them something like this (from the Harris-Benedict equation?),

* sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2

* lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375

* moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55

* very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.725

* extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.9

But kudos to you for the progress you've made on this!

07-26-2007, 08:58 AM	#22 (permalink)
JohnJohnJohn Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1	Thanks for developing this! It is very cool and surprisingly, very rare on the net. I looked everywhere for a calculator that would also predict rate of weight loss given an amount planned to be consumed. I am currently on a plan to lose 135 lbs by reducing my calories to 1500 per day. You calculator accurately predicts my first week's weight loss. But, as you admit, your results become increasingly inaccurate for a longer program like mine. If I accept your prediction that I will lose 4.3 lbs per week, I'd think I would be at my target in just over 31 weeks. BUT, since the weekly weight loss decreases as I lose weight and keep the input (1500/day) constant, in reality it will take me more like 40 weeks to hit my goal. (And of course this all assumes I stay on plan!) If you want to make your calculator truly useful you can easily calculate the estimated time to hit the target by simply calculating each day's predicted loss, subtracting that predicted weight loss and then using that as the basis for calculating the next day's loss and so on until the target is reached. I created a cool Excel spreadsheet that does just that. Another suggestion I would make is don't make me enter 0s for unused fields. If my hourly entries total to 24 then assume I meant 0 for the remaining fields! Finally, to make this tool the best it can be I'd recommend you allow me to choose how to enter my activities. Leave the current method in place for nuts like me who like calculating every little thing. But make it simpler for the "regular" folks who would prefer to just check a box. Maybe offer them something like this (from the Harris-Benedict equation?), * sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2 * lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375 * moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55 * very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.725 * extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.9 But kudos to you for the progress you've made on this!