Standard mfp method vs. tdee?

YorriaRaine

I am aware that myfitnesspal's standard method is to give you a calorie deficit and then you gives you a net goal (calorie intake - exercise) to reach. I also (think) that tdee takes the calories you burn from normal daily activity and then subtracts it by -20%, but you do not eat back the calories you burn off. If I'm mistaken on anything please let me know.

I kinda want to know why people use one over the other, and how one would set up the tdee -20% method if that's what they choose to do?

Thank you all in advance.

AJ_G

The advantage of TDEE is you eat the same exact calorie intake every single day regardless of whether you work out that day or not which simplifies things and prevents confusion once you have everything set up. The advantage of the MFP system is you eat more on the days you burn more calories, but because of the inaccuracy of calorie burn estimates, I think that this system tends to cause people to eat more than they really should. Just my opinion...

crisstalle

I totally agree with you based on my personal experience!

EvanKeel

I would imagine the TDEE method would require consistent activity. If someone is very active one week, not active at all the next, and keeps exercising sporadically, then nailing down their true TDEE might be a little difficult.

As far as setting it up, you could use one of several formulas out there (Miffin St. Jeor or Harris Benedict) as a base to guess at your TDEE, log super accurately, look at your weight at the end of several weeks and adjust to see what your TDEE is. Then you could eat TDEE -20% to lose weight.

Duck_Puddle

The TDEE method works very well for those with a fairly consistent workout schedule because it includes calories burned from exercise. It's nice to just have one number to hit all the time, assuming that you're working out the same as you calculated. I tend to be a bit inconsistent. So the mfp model works better for me (I could be significantly more or less active from one week to the next). I aim for a weekly average for net calories though-so I am still eating roughly the same amount each day, it's just based on what my actual exercise has been as opposed to what I planned it to be.

bajoyba

Pretty much everything that's already been said. Both systems work, it just depends on what fits best with your lifestyle. If your fitness schedule is unpredictable or inconsistent, it's probably best to stick with the MFP method and either purchase a HRM or log your exercise calories on the conservative side to avoid out-eating your burns. If you are a fairly active person on a regular basis, the TDEE method is nice because you eat the same calorie goal every day, which helps with meal planning and gives you a better handle on meeting your macros.

I lost my first 45 pounds with the MFP method and then switched to TDEE in September. I was fine with both approaches, and they both work, but I notice now that I'm much more focused on my nutrition and being active for the sake of fitness. But it's different for everyone. You just have to find what works best for you.

YorriaRaine

My workout schedule is very inconsistent atm so I"m gonna stick with the default method mfp offers. I did order a heart rate monitor, excited to give that a try

Thank you for giving me all your opinions everyone.