TDEE and Net Calories

stefaniemazz
stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have posted on this before, but this is a little bit different of a question..

My TDEE is about 1600, I understand that it includes exercise.

On MFP I put Sedentary, it calculates 1200 calories for me (which is about what I eat) but I set my calories to 1600.

I eat a net of about 1200 a day except for on my cheat days.

Like I explained in a thread before, I eat 1200 during the week and on Saturday I have a cheat day where I go over my calories BY ALOT. But so far its been working for me.

When I'm going by my TDEE number but setting my MFP at Sedentary, do I look at my Net Calories or My Calories?

Reading over that, that sounds confusing, but hopefully you guys understand what I'm trying to get to.
«13

Replies

  • waltcote
    waltcote Posts: 372 Member
    I think you go by just calories. Net calories is what you total from actual eating and/or exercise I'm pretty sure.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I don't follow.

    Is your daily calorie goal 1600? If so, you go by total cals, and there's no need to log exercise cals (unless you want to for reporting purposes).

    If your daily calorie goal is 1200, then pay attention to net cals and continue to log exercise.
  • BenjaminMFP88
    BenjaminMFP88 Posts: 660 Member
    First, pick either MFP's calorie method, or the TDEE - X% method.

    If you go by your TDEE, subtract some calories to account for weightloss (i'm assuming this is your goal) and manually change your MFP to account for this value, then it is just calories. You will not add workouts to this.

    Or you can go by MFP's method and calculate based on net calories
  • kcb0308
    kcb0308 Posts: 73 Member
    Sorry I'm not an expert on the TDEE method, I think if you try to follow both methods, then you'll get confused; and thus your post. The MFP basics are the NET caloric intake they give you is after exercising and calories burnt. They already build in a small deficit anyway, or so I've read.

    My understanding is if you take the TDEE # and are trying to lose weight, then you need to take the number and reduce by 20%, and shoot for that as your intake daily.

    Sorry I don't know more about the TDEE ideals. Best of luck to you.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Pick and go with it. You can't mix everything together and then get a definitive answer. Your TDEE includes any exercise you do so there's no net. MFP expects you to set a basic activity level and add in exercise calories so you can have a net amount.
  • stefaniemazz
    stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
    But I'm setting my MFP to Sedentary so technically I'm not including my exercise.
    I'm just going by the TDEE number

    Does that make sense?
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    How did you figure out your TDEE?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    But I'm setting my MFP to Sedentary so technically I'm not including my exercise.
    I'm just going by the TDEE number

    Does that make sense?


    STOP. It doesn't matter what you told MFP because you overrode it's numbers with your own. You're going by TDEE and MFP's method doesn't apply to you. Stop trying to mash 2 different approaches into 1.

    Your TDEE is 1600. Cut that by 10% and you get 1440. Cutting TDEE by 10% is what creates your calorie deficit and what will lead to weight loss. Set that as you calorie goal and eat that each day. Don't log exercise calories.

    .
  • BenjaminMFP88
    BenjaminMFP88 Posts: 660 Member
    But I'm setting my MFP to Sedentary so technically I'm not including my exercise.
    I'm just going by the TDEE number

    Does that make sense?

    If you set MFP to sedentary and did no manual alterations, how can you be going by TDEE? Simply knowing that your TDEE is 1600 and trying to stay under it does not mean you are going by your TDEE.
  • stefaniemazz
    stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
    Sorry for confusing everyone.

    I'm confused myself.

    I net about 1200 calories a day, but on Saturday I eat about 3500 calories, that equals out to how much I am supposed to be eating a week.

    But if I go by my calories which are normally about 1400, then I'm going over my amount for the week

    Does that make more sense?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Sorry for confusing everyone.

    I'm confused myself.

    I net about 1200 calories a day, but on Saturday I eat about 3500 calories, that equals out to how much I am supposed to be eating a week.

    But if I go by my calories which are normally about 1400, then I'm going over my amount for the week

    Does that make more sense?

    Then that's a problem. Control your cheating.
  • stefaniemazz
    stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
    Sorry for confusing everyone.

    I'm confused myself.

    I net about 1200 calories a day, but on Saturday I eat about 3500 calories, that equals out to how much I am supposed to be eating a week.

    But if I go by my calories which are normally about 1400, then I'm going over my amount for the week

    Does that make more sense?

    But I'm losing the weight this way, I'm asking this question because I don't want to lose weight the wrong way and then just gain it all back again.

    Then that's a problem. Control your cheating.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Sorry for confusing everyone.

    I'm confused myself.

    I net about 1200 calories a day, but on Saturday I eat about 3500 calories, that equals out to how much I am supposed to be eating a week.

    But if I go by my calories which are normally about 1400, then I'm going over my amount for the week

    Does that make more sense?

    Then that's a problem. Control your cheating.
    But I'm losing the weight this way, I'm asking this question because I don't want to lose weight the wrong way and then just gain it all back again.

    Then you're numbers/estimates/logging is incorrect.

    Over the course of a week, what is your average daily calorie intake?
    Over the course of a week, how many cals do you burn through exercise on average each day?
    What is your average weight loss per week?
  • stefaniemazz
    stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
    Sorry for confusing everyone.

    I'm confused myself.

    I net about 1200 calories a day, but on Saturday I eat about 3500 calories, that equals out to how much I am supposed to be eating a week.

    But if I go by my calories which are normally about 1400, then I'm going over my amount for the week

    Does that make more sense?

    Then that's a problem. Control your cheating.
    But I'm losing the weight this way, I'm asking this question because I don't want to lose weight the wrong way and then just gain it all back again.

    Then you're numbers/estimates/logging is incorrect.

    Over the course of a week, what is your average daily calorie intake?
    Over the course of a week, how many cals do you burn through exercise on average each day?
    What is your average weight loss per week?

    Average daily calorie intake: It varies but it never goes over 1400
    Cals I burn a week: I burn about 1000 a week
    Weight Loss per week: 1 pound, but it has been 2 a couple of times.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Average daily calorie intake: It varies but it never goes over 1400
    Cals I burn a week: I burn about 1000 a week
    Weight Loss per week: 1 pound, but it has been 2 a couple of times.

    You need to be more specific there. Also, is that net or gross cals?

    .
  • stefaniemazz
    stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
    Average daily calorie intake: It varies but it never goes over 1400
    Cals I burn a week: I burn about 1000 a week
    Weight Loss per week: 1 pound, but it has been 2 a couple of times.

    You need to be more specific there.

    Like for example, On Monday my calories were 1292 and on Tuesday my calories were 1303. It varies.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Average daily calorie intake: It varies but it never goes over 1400
    Cals I burn a week: I burn about 1000 a week
    Weight Loss per week: 1 pound, but it has been 2 a couple of times.

    You need to be more specific there.

    Like for example, On Monday my calories were 1292 and on Tuesday my calories were 1303. It varies.

    Of course it does. Look at your weekly total and take an average.

    .
  • BenjaminMFP88
    BenjaminMFP88 Posts: 660 Member
    When I'm going by my TDEE number but setting my MFP at Sedentary, do I look at my Net Calories or My Calories?

    If i'm eating an orange, but holding an apple, should I talk to the banana?

    TDEE = Calories
    MFP = Net

    Assuming you are sedentary and the stats you entered to attain both numbers are "accurate". In a way, you should arrive at the same result. Since you are eating about 1400 calories a day, which is slighly lower then your TDEE, your good to go. But your also calculating your net calories which is about your BMR which is provided by MFP so your good to go there. Ultimately speaking, you are doing more work then necessary by concerning yourself with both number.
  • stefaniemazz
    stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
    Average daily calorie intake: It varies but it never goes over 1400
    Cals I burn a week: I burn about 1000 a week
    Weight Loss per week: 1 pound, but it has been 2 a couple of times.

    You need to be more specific there.

    Like for example, On Monday my calories were 1292 and on Tuesday my calories were 1303. It varies.

    Of course it does. Look at your weekly total and take an average.

    1330
  • stefaniemazz
    stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
    When I'm going by my TDEE number but setting my MFP at Sedentary, do I look at my Net Calories or My Calories?

    If i'm eating an orange, but holding an apple, should I talk to the banana?

    TDEE = Calories
    MFP = Net

    Assuming you are sedentary and the stats you entered to attain both numbers are "accurate". In a way, you should arrive at the same result. Since you are eating about 1400 calories a day, which is slighly lower then your TDEE, your good to go. But your also calculating your net calories which is about your BMR which is provided by MFP so your good to go there. Ultimately speaking, you are doing more work then necessary by concerning yourself with both number.

    If I compare the two, yes I get about the same number.

    I guess I'm just over thinking this all.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Understand that MFP follows the NEAT method which is different from TDEE. MFP is designed for its users to eat their exercise calories back (thus the "Netting of calories) while TDEE includes exercise calories (which is why those who follow this method tend to log their exercise as 1 cal burns).

    It is important, regardless which method you use, to pick the correct activity level as well as the correct amount of weight loss per week for you.

    Seeing as you don't have that much to lose (per your ticker), you probably should have gone with the 0.5lb/week loss. Also, are you truly sedentary? Maybe consider going with lightly active (if using MFP's #s) and sticking with those #s for 4-6 weeks. If you follow TDEE - pick the correct activity level by exercise amount and subtract 10-20% of that.

    Also invest and use a food measuring scale if you aren't already. Here are some helpful links for you to read:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1122891-9-reasons-fat-loss-is-always-slower-than-you-d-like

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ihad/view/the-myth-of-good-and-bad-foods-by-eric-helms-588801

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1144679-kiss
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Average daily calorie intake: It varies but it never goes over 1400
    Cals I burn a week: I burn about 1000 a week
    Weight Loss per week: 1 pound, but it has been 2 a couple of times.

    You need to be more specific there.

    Like for example, On Monday my calories were 1292 and on Tuesday my calories were 1303. It varies.

    Of course it does. Look at your weekly total and take an average.

    1330

    1330 cals daily based on a TDEE of 1600 is fine. It's a little aggressive for my preferences, but if you can sustain it and have decent energy levels, then you're probably fine.

    However, to complicate things further...
    Based on an average of 1330 cals per day AND 1lb lost per week, your TDEE is actually closer to 1830.
  • stefaniemazz
    stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
    Understand that MFP follows the NEAT method which is different from TDEE. MFP is designed for its users to eat their exercise calories back (thus the "Netting of calories) while TDEE includes exercise calories (which is why those who follow this method tend to log their exercise as 1 cal burns).

    It is important, regardless which method you use, to pick the correct activity level as well as the correct amount of weight loss per week for you.

    Seeing as you don't have that much to lose (per your ticker), you probably should have gone with the 0.5lb/week loss. Also, are you truly sedentary? Maybe consider going with lightly active (if using MFP's #s) and sticking with those #s for 4-6 weeks. If you follow TDEE - pick the correct activity level by exercise amount and subtract 10-20% of that.

    Also invest and use a food measuring scale if you aren't already. Here are some helpful links for you to read:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1122891-9-reasons-fat-loss-is-always-slower-than-you-d-like

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ihad/view/the-myth-of-good-and-bad-foods-by-eric-helms-588801

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1144679-kiss

    Thanks for the NICE and very well explained response. I appreciate it.

    I don't eat my exercise calories back. So sometimes I will NET a little bit under 1200 calories.

    So if I go with MFP, which is probably easier, should I just set my calories to 1200 calories? Rather then manually changing them to 1600 calories.

    The reason for me not changing my calories number to 1200 is I always go over in carbs and protein, with 1600 calories, I don't over at all.

    I know that sounds SO confusing
  • stefaniemazz
    stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
    Average daily calorie intake: It varies but it never goes over 1400
    Cals I burn a week: I burn about 1000 a week
    Weight Loss per week: 1 pound, but it has been 2 a couple of times.

    You need to be more specific there.

    Like for example, On Monday my calories were 1292 and on Tuesday my calories were 1303. It varies.

    Of course it does. Look at your weekly total and take an average.

    1330

    1330 cals daily based on a TDEE of 1600 is fine. It's a little aggressive for my preferences, but if you can sustain it and have decent energy levels, then you're probably fine.

    However, to complicate things further...
    Based on an average of 1330 cals per day AND 1lb lost per week, your TDEE is actually closer to 1830.

    Yeah sorry, I think I mixed this up, my TDEE is actually 2200 calories but according to "Scooby Calculator" I should be eating about 1600 calories at a 25% reduction.

    I just went to the website and saw that I messed up, I thought TDEE meant the calories I need to lose.

    Your probably so annoyed with me LOL
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Just running your calculations of 1400 a day average with a 3500 day works out to about 1700 calories a day over a week's time. That's fine if that's how you want to do it.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,420 Member
    Understand that MFP follows the NEAT method which is different from TDEE. MFP is designed for its users to eat their exercise calories back (thus the "Netting of calories) while TDEE includes exercise calories (which is why those who follow this method tend to log their exercise as 1 cal burns).

    It is important, regardless which method you use, to pick the correct activity level as well as the correct amount of weight loss per week for you.

    Seeing as you don't have that much to lose (per your ticker), you probably should have gone with the 0.5lb/week loss. Also, are you truly sedentary? Maybe consider going with lightly active (if using MFP's #s) and sticking with those #s for 4-6 weeks. If you follow TDEE - pick the correct activity level by exercise amount and subtract 10-20% of that.

    Also invest and use a food measuring scale if you aren't already. Here are some helpful links for you to read:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1122891-9-reasons-fat-loss-is-always-slower-than-you-d-like

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ihad/view/the-myth-of-good-and-bad-foods-by-eric-helms-588801

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1144679-kiss

    Thanks for the NICE and very well explained response. I appreciate it.

    I don't eat my exercise calories back. So sometimes I will NET a little bit under 1200 calories.

    So if I go with MFP, which is probably easier, should I just set my calories to 1200 calories? Rather then manually changing them to 1600 calories.

    The reason for me not changing my calories number to 1200 is I always go over in carbs and protein, with 1600 calories, I don't over at all.

    I know that sounds SO confusing

    Sweetie, what you are doing is working. Don't over-analyze it. It isn't an exact science. Read those links and try to worry a little less. Stress makes it harder to lose weight.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Average daily calorie intake: It varies but it never goes over 1400
    Cals I burn a week: I burn about 1000 a week
    Weight Loss per week: 1 pound, but it has been 2 a couple of times.

    You need to be more specific there.

    Like for example, On Monday my calories were 1292 and on Tuesday my calories were 1303. It varies.

    Of course it does. Look at your weekly total and take an average.

    1330

    1330 cals daily based on a TDEE of 1600 is fine. It's a little aggressive for my preferences, but if you can sustain it and have decent energy levels, then you're probably fine.

    However, to complicate things further...
    Based on an average of 1330 cals per day AND 1lb lost per week, your TDEE is actually closer to 1830.

    Yeah sorry, I think I mixed this up, my TDEE is actually 2200 calories but according to "Scooby Calculator" I should be eating about 1600 calories at a 25% reduction.

    I just went to the website and saw that I messed up, I thought TDEE meant the calories I need to lose.

    Your probably so annoyed with me LOL

    Nope, as long as you've got it figured out.

    I will say that 25% is pretty aggressive for you. You're young and you don't have that much weight to lose. I'd aim for more like 15-20% below TDEE.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Understand that MFP follows the NEAT method which is different from TDEE. MFP is designed for its users to eat their exercise calories back (thus the "Netting of calories) while TDEE includes exercise calories (which is why those who follow this method tend to log their exercise as 1 cal burns).

    It is important, regardless which method you use, to pick the correct activity level as well as the correct amount of weight loss per week for you.

    Seeing as you don't have that much to lose (per your ticker), you probably should have gone with the 0.5lb/week loss. Also, are you truly sedentary? Maybe consider going with lightly active (if using MFP's #s) and sticking with those #s for 4-6 weeks. If you follow TDEE - pick the correct activity level by exercise amount and subtract 10-20% of that.

    Also invest and use a food measuring scale if you aren't already. Here are some helpful links for you to read:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1122891-9-reasons-fat-loss-is-always-slower-than-you-d-like

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ihad/view/the-myth-of-good-and-bad-foods-by-eric-helms-588801

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1144679-kiss

    Thanks for the NICE and very well explained response. I appreciate it.

    I don't eat my exercise calories back. So sometimes I will NET a little bit under 1200 calories.

    So if I go with MFP, which is probably easier, should I just set my calories to 1200 calories? Rather then manually changing them to 1600 calories.

    The reason for me not changing my calories number to 1200 is I always go over in carbs and protein, with 1600 calories, I don't over at all.

    I know that sounds SO confusing

    Go to your Goals page and just redo your numbers.

    Pick lightly active and 0.5lb/week loss.

    MFP will then give you a base number.

    Eat that + at least half your exercise calories back.

    :smile:

    ETA: Don't worry about going over your protein. Carbs, proteins, and fats do not make you gain. They are not bad. Also know that MFP's protein amounts are set at the bare minimum. If you want to figure out what percentages you might want to be at for carbs, proteins, and fats, here is a link to help you:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
  • stefaniemazz
    stefaniemazz Posts: 179 Member
    Understand that MFP follows the NEAT method which is different from TDEE. MFP is designed for its users to eat their exercise calories back (thus the "Netting of calories) while TDEE includes exercise calories (which is why those who follow this method tend to log their exercise as 1 cal burns).

    It is important, regardless which method you use, to pick the correct activity level as well as the correct amount of weight loss per week for you.

    Seeing as you don't have that much to lose (per your ticker), you probably should have gone with the 0.5lb/week loss. Also, are you truly sedentary? Maybe consider going with lightly active (if using MFP's #s) and sticking with those #s for 4-6 weeks. If you follow TDEE - pick the correct activity level by exercise amount and subtract 10-20% of that.

    Also invest and use a food measuring scale if you aren't already. Here are some helpful links for you to read:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1122891-9-reasons-fat-loss-is-always-slower-than-you-d-like

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ihad/view/the-myth-of-good-and-bad-foods-by-eric-helms-588801

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1144679-kiss

    Thanks for the NICE and very well explained response. I appreciate it.

    I don't eat my exercise calories back. So sometimes I will NET a little bit under 1200 calories.

    So if I go with MFP, which is probably easier, should I just set my calories to 1200 calories? Rather then manually changing them to 1600 calories.

    The reason for me not changing my calories number to 1200 is I always go over in carbs and protein, with 1600 calories, I don't over at all.

    I know that sounds SO confusing

    Go to your Goals page and just redo your numbers.

    Pick lightly active and 0.5lb/week loss.

    MFP will then give you a base number.

    Eat that + at least half your exercise calories back.

    :smile:

    Even if I'm not lightly active? I have an office job where I get up to go to the printer pretty often, I go home, workout, and then sit down and relax
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Understand that MFP follows the NEAT method which is different from TDEE. MFP is designed for its users to eat their exercise calories back (thus the "Netting of calories) while TDEE includes exercise calories (which is why those who follow this method tend to log their exercise as 1 cal burns).

    It is important, regardless which method you use, to pick the correct activity level as well as the correct amount of weight loss per week for you.

    Seeing as you don't have that much to lose (per your ticker), you probably should have gone with the 0.5lb/week loss. Also, are you truly sedentary? Maybe consider going with lightly active (if using MFP's #s) and sticking with those #s for 4-6 weeks. If you follow TDEE - pick the correct activity level by exercise amount and subtract 10-20% of that.

    Also invest and use a food measuring scale if you aren't already. Here are some helpful links for you to read:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1122891-9-reasons-fat-loss-is-always-slower-than-you-d-like

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ihad/view/the-myth-of-good-and-bad-foods-by-eric-helms-588801

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1144679-kiss

    Thanks for the NICE and very well explained response. I appreciate it.

    I don't eat my exercise calories back. So sometimes I will NET a little bit under 1200 calories.

    So if I go with MFP, which is probably easier, should I just set my calories to 1200 calories? Rather then manually changing them to 1600 calories.

    The reason for me not changing my calories number to 1200 is I always go over in carbs and protein, with 1600 calories, I don't over at all.

    I know that sounds SO confusing

    Go to your Goals page and just redo your numbers.

    Pick lightly active and 0.5lb/week loss.

    MFP will then give you a base number.

    Eat that + at least half your exercise calories back.

    :smile:

    Even if I'm not lightly active? I have an office job where I get up to go to the printer pretty often, I go home, workout, and then sit down and relax

    1000 cals per day in workouts makes you lightly active.

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