Okay, I'm just gonna put this out there and take my licks...

mrsfyredude

...I've been making a concerted effort to log accurately (it's been hard but I've REALLY been trying). Did lose a few pounds, but thanks to "TOM" they're back. Haven't stopped logging, just a little discouraged and back to thinking "am I at the right calorie level?" So...here it is....I'm 45, 5'4", desk job but I work out 3-5 days a week alternating cardio and barbell class (both 60+ mins a piece).

According to IIFYM.com, my BMR is 1380 with a TDEE of 1898

According to Scooby my BMR is 1383 (pretty close to IIFYM) with a TDEE of 2143 and the 20% deficit would be 1715

When I average them it comes out to approx. 1800.

I've got my MFP set at 1420 (I honestly can't remember HOW I came up with that number)

So basically my question is.....should I re-set and start eating the 1800?

Thoughts?

mschicagocubs

No, you clearly know what you are doing. Those are great numbers!

TOM always makes you gain a little weight. It will come off. Weigh yourself 1 week after the last day of your period. You will see a difference if you are accurately logging.

Patience is a virtue.

mrsfyredude

No, you clearly know what you are doing. Those are great numbers!

TOM always makes you gain a little weight. It will come off. Weigh yourself 1 week after the last day of your period. You will see a difference if you are accurately logging.

Patience is a virtue.

So DON'T reset my calorie level? Leave it where it is?

wolfsbayne

Patience is a virtue.

This. Perseverance pays off.

Josalinn

It depends on how you want to work with your exercise calories.

The MFP value is expecting you to eat back ALL your exercise calories.

The 20%TDEE has exercise calories already worked in so you don't eat them back.

I have my value set at 1600, or 20% of my TDEE so I don't eat back my exercise calories.

ETA: my BRM is 1500

WBB55

One site is saying your total calories burned is 1800. The other is saying it's 2150. So if we average those, your TDEE guesstimate is 1975. That's a good starting place. So to lose at a healthy rate, you'd eat 20% less than that number every day. Which is 1580 total calories every day.

Madame_Goldbricker

It depends on how you want to work with your exercise calories.

The MFP value is expecting you to eat back ALL your exercise calories.

The 20%TDEE has exercise calories already worked in so you don't eat them back.

I have my value set at 1600, or 20% of my TDEE so I don't eat back my exercise calories.

ETA: my BRM is 1500

^^Yep I set my burns at 1 but keep my daily allowance set higher than MFP recommended. I'm now losing consistently compared to 3mths of zilch loss. OP sometimes you just have to play around to get the right balance. Also TOM gains will drop away after as another poster stated. Keep up your water intake & dont over eat during your period.

KatieLouWho19

No, you clearly know what you are doing. Those are great numbers!

TOM always makes you gain a little weight. It will come off. Weigh yourself 1 week after the last day of your period. You will see a difference if you are accurately logging.

Patience is a virtue.

First time EVER, I lost on this go around of TOM! :flowerforyou: But yes, Patience!!

mschicagocubs

No, you clearly know what you are doing. Those are great numbers!

TOM always makes you gain a little weight. It will come off. Weigh yourself 1 week after the last day of your period. You will see a difference if you are accurately logging.

Patience is a virtue.

So DON'T reset my calorie level? Leave it where it is?

I wouldn't. It takes time ... could take a month before you see the scale move.

Take pictures and measurements.

If you want to push your calories up to 1800, you can try to do it in increments of 100 each week.

mrsfyredude

Thanks all....think I'll stay the course until after TOM leaves (I hate unwanted guests) and see what happens.