Confused by some people's daily numbers

cheree1969

I am a little confused. I have some friends on my list, who have way more weight to lose than me, and seem to live a less active lifestyle than me. Why is it they are allowed well over 2000 calories a day? One friend is allowed 2600!!! My profile is set up to 1200 calories per day. Kind of makes no sense, unless they set up their profile incorrectly. I am losing weight, but I can't seem to understand how it is possible for someone to lose weight with such a high daily calorie number. If I had my settings at 2600, I can pretty much guarantee I would gain weight....not lose it!
Thoughts??

theartichoke

It has to do with BMR and TDEE. Do you know your numbers? I couldn't lose weight at 2600 either but that's my TDEE. If theirs is higher, they'll lose weight there.

rml_16

The larger a person is, the more he or she can eat and still be in a deficit.

cheree1969

It has to do with BMR and TDEE. Do you know your numbers? I couldn't lose weight at 2600 either but that's my TDEE. If theirs is higher, they'll lose weight there.

What is a TDEE?

SteveTries

It also depends how many lbs per week you told MFP you wanted to lose. If there's is less than yours then they need create a much smaller defecit than you each day

queenstatus

It has to do with BMR and TDEE. Do you know your numbers? I couldn't lose weight at 2600 either but that's my TDEE. If theirs is higher, they'll lose weight there.

What is a TDEE?

YES, WHAT IS TDEE? TOTAL DAILY EXERCISE ?

theartichoke

TDEE is your total daily energy expenditure. It's an average of how many calories you burn doing everything from breathing to exercise each day. One of the recommendations for healthy weight loss, because there seems to be a million if them, is to calculate your TDEE and take a cut (can vary depending on starting weight and goals) from there to lose weight. If you're interested in finding your numbers go to fat2fitradio.com and use the calculators there. If you search the forums for "how to calculate TDEE" you'll find great information as well.

cheree1969

It also depends how many lbs per week you told MFP you wanted to lose. If there's is less than yours then they need create a much smaller defecit than you each day

I am set up for 2 pounds a week.

meerkat70

TDEE = total daily energy expenditure.

Google - there's lots of calculators that will help you work it out.

cheree1969

TDEE is your total daily energy expenditure. It's an average of how many calories you burn doing everything from breathing to exercise each day. One of the recommendations for healthy weight loss, because there seems to be a million if them, is to calculate your TDEE and take a cut (can vary depending on starting weight and goals) from there to lose weight. If you're interested in finding your numbers go to fat2fitradio.com and use the calculators there. If you search the forums for "how to calculate TDEE" you'll find great information as well.

I see....but I still find it very confusing. 2600 calories a day...yikes!

HMVOL7409

Well mine might look off to some of my MFP friends bc 1. I am at maintence and also still do carb cycling days. 2. I eat at my TDEE and still log my exercise but don't eat my exercise cals back due to eating at my TDEE. Everyone is different, everyone has different goals and it's not always so black and white.

Yes2HealthyAriel

Yeah I didnt think it was fair when my boyfriend had me help him set up an account for him. His calorie goal is around 2400 while mine is only 1400.

rml_16

Mine is 2,242. If I ate anywhere near that, even with exercise, I would gain weight.

PinkEarthMama

The larger a person is, the more fuel their body needs to survive.... the same like a giant truck takes a lot more gas than a tiny compact car.

Also, people who exercise a LOT or who have very demanding jobs will also need more fuel.... can't expect a car to drive a race on less fuel, can't expect an athlete to perform.

Sometimes, a greater deficit is NOT a good thing.

turningstar

It also depends on their type of exercise. I started a weight lifting program, so I have to eat A LOT. My diary is set to 2300 per day. I am trying to build muscle, and you need to eat more for that.

tomhancock

Pay no attention to other people's numbers or diaries, everyone is different. You just need to do your own thing and find something that works for you.

tomhancock

http://bwsimulator.niddk.nih.gov/

Thats a little tough to learn how to use, but it is the most accurate calculator I am aware of. Should clear up all the TDEE, BMR, etc.

It is pretty accurate for me, estimate low on your activity level and exercise level and it should work for you. Overestimate your activity, or lie about how many calories you are eating (intentionally or not) and it probably won't be!

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

Simple. The bigger you are, the higher your BMR & therefore the higher will be your TDEE. It takes more energy to move a heavier object than it is for lighter one. Or they may already account their exercise with their MFP settings & set their profile settings to active which is why you may not see them logging their workouts but in fact they do workout. Also take into consideration their NEAT or non exercise activity which is also one reason they may set their profile to lightly active.

ladyace2078

I eat 2400 calories a day to lose weight. I'm 5'11" and 175 lb, plus I workout hard 6 days a week. My TDEE is 2750 and I only have about 10 lb more I would want to lose. I eat at a 350 calorie deficit and lose on average 0.5 lb a week. My BMR is 1600 calories so I have to eat that amount just to run the very basic functions for my body.

I highly recommend checking out the group Eat More to Weigh Less to get more information. Contrary to popular belief you don't have to feel like you are starving or eat very low calorie diets in order to lose weight.

Emancipated_Tai

The larger you are in body mass the larger your TDEE/BMR is going to be. Also, consider lowering your weight loss goal. If your set it to lose 2 pounds a week, it will set you at 1200. Trust me, that is not enough! Eat at your BMR or higher, but less than your TDEE by 10-20%.

bga008

Probably based on their height, weight, and BMI

MissTattoo

TDEE is your total daily energy expenditure. It's an average of how many calories you burn doing everything from breathing to exercise each day. One of the recommendations for healthy weight loss, because there seems to be a million if them, is to calculate your TDEE and take a cut (can vary depending on starting weight and goals) from there to lose weight. If you're interested in finding your numbers go to fat2fitradio.com and use the calculators there. If you search the forums for "how to calculate TDEE" you'll find great information as well.

I see....but I still find it very confusing. 2600 calories a day...yikes!

I have a Bodymedia Fit Link and it tells me what I burn over a 24 hour period. It tracks my steps, sleep, rest times, exercise times, ect. I average about 3100 burned on exercise days so I do eat close to 2600 calories on those days and about 2700 (burned) on non exercise days and eat about 2100 (which MFP has me set to eat on non exercise days)

I'm also 5'11 and 292 pounds so of course I burn more than someone who only has 10 pounds to lose.

Francesca3434

I miss set my weight when i first started. There isn't a uk stone choice so i did it in Kg's, but clearly got it wrong, so it told me to ear 2600- easiest diet ever!

Spent 3 days thinking 'omg there's not way this is going to work'- felt a bit silly when i worked it out....

fluffysexyme

I eat 2400 calories a day to lose weight. I'm 5'11" and 175 lb, plus I workout hard 6 days a week. My TDEE is 2750 and I only have about 10 lb more I would want to lose. I eat at a 350 calorie deficit and lose on average 0.5 lb a week. My BMR is 1600 calories so I have to eat that amount just to run the very basic functions for my body.

I highly recommend checking out the group Eat More to Weigh Less to get more information. Contrary to popular belief you don't have to feel like you are starving or eat very low calorie diets in order to lose weight.

This!!

steph1278

I also have the Body Media fit and burn an average of 3000 calories daily including exercise. I try to eat between 2000-2300 calories to keep my deficit between 700-1000 calories per day. It is working for me. I wouldn't be able to stick with it if I could only eat 1200 per day. But again , everyone is different. There is no one size fits all when it comes to weight loss. You have to see what works for you.

TrainingWithTonya

Everyone is different based on their body weight, lean vs. fat ratio, activity level not counting exercise, and exercise program. Don't worry about what other people are doing, just do what your body needs.

I just did a blog post the other day about BMR, RMR (EER), and TDEE and how to figure them. BMR is Basal Metabolic Rate, or what you are burning to live in a coma. RMR is Resting Metabolic Rate or what you are burning in your normal resting state, or days without exercise. EER is Estimated Energy Requirement which is another term used by some agencies (and some of my professors) in place of RMR. TDEE is Total Daily Energy Expenditure which includes your BMR + normal activity not counting exercise + Exercise. You can check out my blog to see the quick formulas for figuring your needs. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/TrainingWithTonya

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16 years Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor
9 years Certified Sports Nutritionist
Bachelors in Exercise Physiology with a Minor in Nutritional Science
ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist