TDEE question for those experienced

brianacupcakes

I have done a lot of reading on the topic, including the greats of this community (in place of a road map, the answers to the questions, etc.) plus other reading from other sources but I want to make sure I am doing this right and would love some feedback.

I did the Fat2Fit calculators as suggested by the IPOARM post. Harris-Benedict puts my BMR at 1564. I understand I should never eat under this, or at least I think. I was eating 1200 cals a day but as I begin to read more and see that eating under BMR is bad, I upped my calories.

Currently I work out 3-5 times a week, with a goal of 5-7 on an inconsistent work and overall life schedule. I interval walk/jog for 2 miles, going at about 15 minutes per mile. I then do 30DS, which puts me at about an hour total per daily workout. Some days I do not run, but most days I do the shred. I also try to stay active doing other fun things I don't strictly count as "working out," such as swimming or biking. So when I look at the calculators, I follow the "Lightly Active" recommendation since my workouts can be inconsistent, even if for some days I am "Moderate." The "Lightly Active" recommendation is 2151. So -20% of that would be about 1715. I am currently eating at 1600 since it is above my BMR and not too far from -20% as I want to lose a larger amount of weight (about 50 pounds). I have lost about 5-6 pounds so I have had some success but would love to see more.

Basically I want to ensure I am eating the right amount of calories. Any recommendations? Should I be eating more? Exercising more? Right on target? Those of you with experience and success please weigh in and I would be forever grateful. Thank you so much!

PepperWorm

You can eat AT or ABOVE your BMR and still lose weight.

Looks like you're doing the right things! Love it. Hope you have continued success.

ETA: Though I'd feel like hell eating at my BMR, lol.

Bekahmardis

You're doing just fine; as long as your NET calories are equal to or above your BMR, you're good to go. Congrats on the weight lost already!

sweebum

1600 sounds great. You still have 50 to lose, so you will be just fine with a "higher" deficit.

brianacupcakes

Now when you say "net calories," are you referring to eating back exercise calories? I am not doing this, I am simply eating 1600 since I thought TDEE-20% already takes into consideration your exercise? This is where it starts to get hazy for me! 1600 calories, despite 300-600 calories burned strictly in my workouts, should still be enough calories since it is above my BMR, correct? Or does the 300-600 calories burned actually put me below my BMR? Funny, I thought I was smart but this stuff makes my head spin..

sweebum

TDEE does take you exercise calories into account, provided you estimated your activity properly.