My TDEE just seems so HIGH.

oxers

So, okay. I've been finagling around with my calorie intake, and I've put my numbers into all the calculators, and it just.. doesn't seem possible. I'm 5'7, down to 209, and most calculators put my BMR around 1700-1750. With a desk job and moderate exercise thrice weekly, IIFYM estimates my TDEE at about 2300, so at a 20% decrease, I should be eating around 1840. Right? But that seems so egregious. I've been trying to hit around 1500 for the past month, but I often end up a bit lower - it just feels so, so counter-intuitive to be eating that much.

Since around the start of March, I've lost about five pounds, and that's about the right rate, right? I'm getting results, but I'm worried about finding the right, stable balance for the long haul, so I can keep it off safely. If I up my intake, will I screw myself? I know I'm supposed to trust the numbers, but the numbers just seem... SO high.

Any insight is appreciated!

oxers

..aaaany help at all.

CMB1979

If you're losing weight comfortably (without hunger or other negative symptoms) there's no reason to increase your calorie goal. TDEE/BMR calculators aren't perfect.

randomtai

Trust the numbers.

bellevie86

I'd say you're losing at a just fine rate. As for your TDEE mine is pretty high, bout 2420. MFP and countless other ones have given me around the same, but then again I workout 4-5 times a week and I'm on my feet all night at work as I'm a waitress. I'd suggest checking out a few others, take the lowest and then deduct your deficit. Eat like that for a couple weeks and see how it goes. In the beginning I was netting anywhere from 1400-1900 and still lost well

aqualeo1

If it ain't broke don't fix it I say.

hill8570

The proof's in the pudding. If you feel good (not tired, grumpy, starving, etc) and you're losing weight at a reasonable rate (which you are), then stop overanalyzing things. Real world results trump a silly online calculator every time.

oxers

Thanks so much for the help, guys! I guess I'll keep chuggin' along at 1500, give it a few more months and see where I am :] I've really been spooked by all the stories of people eating under BMR and messing their bodies up! Health is waaay more important to me than shedding inches, so.

TheSlorax

Are you weighing and measuring all of your food? Is there any possibility you're over estimating your calorie burns?

Just by the numbers alone I would say it's possible you may be eating more than you realize, but I also agree that you really shouldn't change anything up if you feel good about your results. If you hit a plateau you can reevaluate then... until then keep going and good luck.

oxers

Are you weighing and measuring all of your food? Is there any possibility you're over estimating your calorie burns?

Just by the numbers alone I would say it's possible you may be eating more than you realize, but I also agree that you really shouldn't change anything up if you feel good about your results. If you hit a plateau you can reevaluate then... until then keep going and good luck.

Nah, I haven't been. I haven't picked up a scale yet, so I calculate as closely as a I can, and when in doubt, I overcalculate pretty generously. That's more of a concern for me than overeating - more than once I've been reasonably closer to 1200 than not, and I know a few days at low intake won't hurt me, but I don't want to make it a habit, you know?

That's what worries me. I've been losing, but I don't want to be losing at too low a caloric intake because I know that's hard to maintain. But, I mean, I'd be more worried if the loss was unreasonable? It's been pretty slow going, and I know that's the way to go, so.. ahg. I'm new to this. I guess I'll just relax and keep doing what I'm doing.

I have picked up a HRM, though, and I love it! A kitchen scale's next on the list - as much for weight loss as incredibly accurate baking, ho ho.