MFP Calculations or TDEE- 500?

init2fitit

Well, I gave blood today so I can't hit the gym like I normally do, so it's about time I figure this thing out.
So I'm 5'1, about 140 lbs, give or take, at an estimated 27% BF, and I try to go to the gym at least 5 times a week if not more. I'm somewhat active, I live on a pedestrian campus college in the mountain so Western NC, so I do walk quite a bit a day, especially uphill.

MFP has given me 1310 cals per day. I can burn about 400cals in the gym per day so I eat back about half if not more, so I net about 1500-1600 most days, at 1800 at the most. I'm not trying to lose weight super fast or anything, (though it would be nice since there's about $200 riding on this) but I would like to lose about 15 lbs before I venture into the world of lifting.

However, I was fiddling around with that scoobycalculator website, and it has given me 1660 cals to eat.
So which would be better to follow? Like, if I only hit the gym 3 days a week instead of 5, would that make a huge difference? I just need to now before I change any settings.

init2fitit

badump

donjessop

I personally use the TDEE - 500 method as it seems to be, in my opinion, a more accurate representation of what I need. That being said, everyone is different. The MFP formulas seem to be slightly off in a number of respects, in particular the protein percentage. My dietition also told me that the protein numbers from MFP seem to be on the low side. So, since you are exercising quite regularly I would set the numbers to TDEE - 500 but boost protein so it is at least 20%, if not 25% of your calorie intake. You may notice, however, that instead of losing weight you end up losing inches. Still a good thing, but something to keep in mind so that you don't become disappointed.

init2fitit

I wouldn't mind losing inches, but I'll keep that in mind.