You will be X weight in 5 weeks

NinaSharp

I recently updated my goals to reflect that I wanted to maintain my weight, not lose. Every time in the past, when I've hit complete entry, it comes up and tells me how much weight I should weigh in 5 weeks. I learned to ignore the weight listed when I was trying to eat a deficit, because I read a lot of threads on here that said, it's not really right/relevant.

So I updated everything to maintain weight, but I didn't like the number of calories that MFP gave me. My TDEE is ~2500 calories, but my MFP wanted to give me 1800 to maintain my weight. Seemed like far to little, so I updated it to 2300. The funny thing is now, when I hit the complete entry button, it consistently tells me I will weigh MORE than I weigh now eating like I do. I find it strange because my TDEE is still 2500...how is it that 2300 will make me gain weight?

I guess I'm trying to follow the thought pattern behind this button, and why it thinks I will gain weight. I've actually lost a lb since changing so I'm wondering why this button exists if it is never right.

yopeeps025

MFP tells you at 1800 is your maintenance . So eating at 2300 MFP has you gaining a pound a week. MFP does not use TDEE.

NinaSharp

Thank you. TDEE is a big thing around here, so I assumed when it asked all those questions, it was taking that into consideration.

fatcity66

The 1800 calories MFP gives you does not include exercise calories. TDEE does.

Lleldiranne

TDEE takes exercise into account. MFP doesn't, it assumes you will eat back those exercise calories. So if you exercise and don't log it, MFP estimates of what you will weight are going to be less accurate.

Note that it's all estimates anyway. Stick with the 2300 for a couple of weeks to a month and monitor what your weight is doing. That will give you the best idea of whether or not you're eating the right amount.