35 pounds from goal and switching to TDEE

ilmb87

Over the past year I've lost 50+ pounds using the MFP/NEAT method, along with running 5-6 days a week. Now that I'm 35 pounds from my goal I've noticed my body is definitely leaning more towards skinny fat, so I switched to strength training, doing body weight training every other day (I eventually plan to incorporate heavy lifting, but money constraints keep me from doing so right now).

A week into the switch, I noticed I was going CRAZY with the calorie limits MFP gave me, especially on the days I didn't exercise. At that point I was eating about 1580 calories. I thought maybe switching to TDEE would be a better option for me since: 1) strength training burn is harder to calculate anyway and 2) I wouldn't be going crazy on the days I didn't exercise.

My issue now is figuring out which % I should enter into the Scooby Calculator. Should I stick with 25%, which gives me about 1700 calories? That's what I've been eating and haven't been hungry--but then I don't trust my body's hunger signals since doing so got me to 260 pounds in the first place. I have, however, been extremely tired, even when I get 7-8 hours of restful sleep. Or should I go with 20%, since I'm getting closer to my goal?

Here's my stats in case you need them:
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 185
3-4 times per week x ~35 minutes

Thanks guys! I know we get a million of these threads a day, but it's the tired/sluggishness that's been worrying me. I wanted to make sure I'm fueling my body enough.

ilmb87

BUMP

ilmb87

Anyone?

beattie1

Bump - I'm interested too. Lost lots of weight in the last 18 months, got about 35 to go & I'm losing very, very slowly. (1.5 lbs in the last month). I'm also considering TDEE minus a percentage.

Francl27

About the comment about not trusting hunger signals - it's the other way around actually. I'm quite sure most of us got here by NOT listening to our hunger signals, and just eating because we felt like it.

But anyway, I switched to TDEE 3 months ago and it's much better! I would go with TDEE-20% personally, the main issue really is figuring out your activity level correctly. I had to get a fitbit to know exactly where I stand, as most calculators really only consider exercise, which is a horrible way to do it, IMO. What do you do when you don't work out?

ilmb87

During the week I typically rest on days I don't workout. I work a desk job, but try to move around as much as posisble. On the weekends I'm usually out and walking for most of the day.

aprilslusher

I switched to Tdee -% about a month ago and Love it. I wish I had did it all along. I feel soo much better. I am not obsessing over exercise calories and I just like a set amount everyday.

If I was you I would go with Tdee -20%. with light exercise to start with. See how that goes for about a month.
Best wishes! Feel free to send me a Friend Request. :flowerforyou:

britzzie

I switched to Tdee -% about a month ago and Love it. I wish I had did it all along. I feel soo much better. I am not obsessing over exercise calories and I just like a set amount everyday.

If I was you I would go with Tdee -20%. with light exercise to start with. See how that goes for about a month.
Best wishes! Feel free to send me a Friend Request. :flowerforyou:

This wholeheartedly! Do it and see where it gets you. If it's not right, readjust!

ilmb87

I switched to Tdee -% about a month ago and Love it. I wish I had did it all along. I feel soo much better. I am not obsessing over exercise calories and I just like a set amount everyday.

If I was you I would go with Tdee -20%. with light exercise to start with. See how that goes for about a month.
Best wishes! Feel free to send me a Friend Request. :flowerforyou:

This wholeheartedly! Do it and see where it gets you. If it's not right, readjust!

Just changed my goals. Thanks for the suggestions! You guys are great.