It's All About Math

mwillder1

Amazing how numbers work.

I've been tracking all my food, religiously, in MFP since I began my lifestyle change 24 weeks ago. I've learned a lot from these boards which--surprise--has turned out to be both true and very helpful regarding the importance of knowing one's TDEE, calories in/out, etc. Case in point:

I was at 197 when I began. Let's say my plan was to get to my current weight of 168.6, so to lose 28.4 lbs in 24 weeks. That's like 1.12 lbs/week. I'd need to reduce my calorie intake from my TDEE, which is 2,014, down by between 500-600 per day, so to land somewhere about 1,400 or so. That assumes a pound of fat = 3,500 calories (which I learned from all of you).

Again, I didn't plan any of this, just counted what I was stuffing in my gob. I just checked my average daily calories over the past 24 weeks, and guess what? It's been 1,400/day. Gotta love math.

RecognitionT

I'm a math geek myself and can confirm.

Numbers rule the world.

"Qualitative" analysis like whether something is "healthy" or not is completely useless in terms of weight loss.

aeloine

Be careful not to go too low for too long. It is recommended that men stay above 1,500 calories.

Also kudos on the loss!!

heybales

The difficult part with the math is when it's more to lose, and the declining TDEE and therefore eating level - if all remains the same as far as activity.

But many find it easier to move more initially - so TDEE could go up.

But then in a diet the body may be trying to adapt by slowing you down - so TDEE goes down.

Exercise becomes easier if intensity not increased because moving less mass.
But many workouts can be increased so calorie burn could remain equal.

But then again - most of those don't effect the small weight loss nearly as bad as the big weight loss.

And to the point above that best to help the body by not keeping the same deficit with less to lose.

It's why time-based goals is so sketchy. If you can keep from being stressed by them, or doing something foolish because they don't appear to be happening - then not so bad.

But for many - bad idea.

Great job with adherence and progress and maths!