TDEE confusion (beating a dead horse? sorry... math is hard)

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Erica262
Erica262 Posts: 226 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I want calorie counting to be easier. Like from now until the rest of forever. I used an online calculator to figure out some TDEE stuff.

170, 5’6, 30 y/o, sedentary = 1869 (minus 20% = 1495)
170, 5’6, 30 y/o, lightly active = 2142 (minus 20% = 1713)
Average TDEE to lose weight = 1604

135, 5’6, 30 y/o, sedentary = 1686
135, 5’6, 30 y/o, lightly active = 1932
Average TDEE in maintenance = 1809

And the average of both of those is 1706. (For math ease, we'll say 1700.) So every day for the rest of forever I could do...

Breakfast = 325 calories
Lunch = 425 calories
Snacks/desserts/alcohol = 425 calories
Dinner = 525 calories

... and weigh 135 every day for the rest of forever. Right? I mean sort of? And when I'm training for a half marathon or something and working out a lot more, I could add another 100ish calories to dinner?

Could it be this easy?

Replies

  • beamer0821
    beamer0821 Posts: 488 Member
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    that sounds about right?
    but im sure the "experts" will weigh in. =)
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
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    ah no.

    TDEE for maintance is a set number based on your weight etc...so when you hit your goal you eat a higher number ie 1809.

    TDEE-20% is to lose 1lb a week (give or take)

    So averaging the two you will still be losing weight...

    So basically once you hit goal eat 1800 a day and you should maintain...but those numbers will need tweaked...if you start losing again add in a bit...gaining take off a bit.

    ETA: my TDEE is 1995 that is what I eat to maintain...my goal atm is 1600-1700 to lose...I don't average 2000 and 1700 for maintenance...my maintenance is TDEE.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,293 Member
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    I want calorie counting to be easier. Like from now until the rest of forever. I used an online calculator to figure out some TDEE stuff.

    170, 5’6, 30 y/o, sedentary = 1869 (minus 20% = 1495)
    170, 5’6, 30 y/o, lightly active = 2142 (minus 20% = 1713)
    Average TDEE to lose weight = 1604

    135, 5’6, 30 y/o, sedentary = 1686
    135, 5’6, 30 y/o, lightly active = 1932
    Average TDEE in maintenance = 1809

    And the average of both of those is 1706. (For math ease, we'll say 1700.) So every day for the rest of forever I could do...

    Breakfast = 325 calories
    Lunch = 425 calories
    Snacks/desserts/alcohol = 425 calories
    Dinner = 525 calories

    ... and weigh 135 every day for the rest of forever. Right? I mean sort of? And when I'm training for a half marathon or something and working out a lot more, I could add another 100ish calories to dinner?

    Could it be this easy?

    not quite if you eat below the maintenance of 135 you will lose more once you hit 135, as you would be 109 cals/day under that. That would probably be a good number to start with, then when you get to 135 you could up your cals by 100 or so.

    You are making it harder than it has to be. I would stat with the current weight light active TDEE -20% when you get closer to your goal weight the TDEE will drop but, you would cut the deficit to -15%, then when you hit your goal you will have to play around but should be in the 1900ish number.

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