My math doesn't agree with MFP

droogievesch

MFP says I should net 1200 calories a day for 2 lb/wk weight loss. I started reading forum posts about TDEE and figured I'd check it out. I ran it through different calculators and came back with a TDEE of roughly 2,300. My BMR is 1670. I would think I would want to consume between 1700 and 2300 to lose weight, so why does MFP say 1200? If I net below my BMR, doesn't my metabolism slow down?

I have rechecked all my MFP settings. I have made sure I entered my height and weight correctly (64" and 190lbs). I don't know if I should change my settings or trust MFP.

Smuterella

Hello

Well, it all depends on how much you have to lose4 and what is realistic. If MFP is putting you at 1200 for 2lbs a week but your BMR is higher than this then it is likely that you would be better off picking a 1lb or 0.5lb a week loss level. 2lbs is really only for people with 70 or more lbs to lose really.

What does it give you for 1lb a week?

droogievesch

Hello

Well, it all depends on how much you have to lose4 and what is realistic. If MFP is putting you at 1200 for 2lbs a week but your BMR is higher than this then it is likely that you would be better off picking a 1lb or 0.5lb a week loss level. 2lbs is really only for people with 70 or more lbs to lose really.

What does it give you for 1lb a week?

Thanks. It upped it to 1660, which is only 10 calories less than my BMR. 10 calories won't be horrible, but that means I can't ever be "below my calorie goal". I'm looking to lose 40-50 lbs. As it is I am losing about 2 lbs/wk on average, but I don't want to set myself up for failure.

yarwell

MFP says I should net 1200 calories a day for 2 lb/wk weight loss. I started reading forum posts about TDEE and figured I'd check it out. I ran it through different calculators and came back with a TDEE of roughly 2,300. My BMR is 1670. I would think I would want to consume between 1700 and 2300 to lose weight, so why does MFP say 1200? If I net below my BMR, doesn't my metabolism slow down?

MFP will subtract 1,000 calories/day from what it thinks your TDEE is (without exercise) subject to a 1200 minimum. So MFP thinks your TDEE is 2200 or less if it's putting you at 1200 with a 1,000 deficit.

If I net below my BMR, doesn't my metabolism slow down?

No. It may do that anyway, it does not depend on being above or below a magic number. It is probably more likely to slow down if you have a large calorie deficit, but we're talking 100 or 200 calories a day of slowdown. Your 2 lb/week goal is the thing driving the large deficit.

Smuterella

With 50 odd lbs to go I'd stick to 1lb a week as your aim, you will probably find you lose the first 10-20lbs faster than that anyway - and remember MFP is your TDEE without exercise. so go out, exercise and eat those calories back!

droogievesch

MFP says I should net 1200 calories a day for 2 lb/wk weight loss. I started reading forum posts about TDEE and figured I'd check it out. I ran it through different calculators and came back with a TDEE of roughly 2,300. My BMR is 1670. I would think I would want to consume between 1700 and 2300 to lose weight, so why does MFP say 1200? If I net below my BMR, doesn't my metabolism slow down?

MFP will subtract 1,000 calories/day from what it thinks your TDEE is (without exercise) subject to a 1200 minimum. So MFP thinks your TDEE is 2200 or less if it's putting you at 1200 with a 1,000 deficit.

If I net below my BMR, doesn't my metabolism slow down?

No. It may do that anyway, it does not depend on being above or below a magic number. It is probably more likely to slow down if you have a large calorie deficit, but we're talking 100 or 200 calories a day of slowdown. Your 2 lb/week goal is the thing driving the large deficit.

So should I change my weight goal to be 1/wk? Should I stay at 1200? Should I wait it out?

droogievesch

With 50 odd lbs to go I'd stick to 1lb a week as your aim, you will probably find you lose the first 10-20lbs faster than that anyway - and remember MFP is your TDEE without exercise. so go out, exercise and eat those calories back!

Okay, I will try this. Thanks for your help!

yarwell

at 190 lbs you've a way to go so at this stage you can push it a bit harder. You said you were losing 2 lbs'week so you are doing something right, you'll have to increase as you get closer to goal but that's a little way off.

stephvaile

MFP says I should net 1200 calories a day for 2 lb/wk weight loss. I started reading forum posts about TDEE and figured I'd check it out. I ran it through different calculators and came back with a TDEE of roughly 2,300. My BMR is 1670. I would think I would want to consume between 1700 and 2300 to lose weight, so why does MFP say 1200? If I net below my BMR, doesn't my metabolism slow down?

I have rechecked all my MFP settings. I have made sure I entered my height and weight correctly (64" and 190lbs). I don't know if I should change my settings or trust MFP.

yes but your tdee is your maintanance 2lb per week loss is 1,000 cals per day taking you to 1,300

HeidiMightyRawr

Yes you should eat between 1700 and 2300 to lose weight.

The reason MFP gives 1200 is because it doesn't take into account your workouts, only your daily activity outside workouts. (whereas I'm assuming TDEE includes all activity, workouts as well)
Therefore MFP probably estimates your maintenance (without working out) to be around 1600-2000 and once you take a deficit off that if you are left with less than 1200, MFP will automatically give you 1200 as that is seen as the lowest "safe" amount that a person can have, although IMO it's still too low! That is also when people would eat back exercise calories. In your case, with that (I'm assuming) already taken into account, you would not.
Most people don't know their BMR or even pay attention to it and so carry on eating really low. It's good that you know what yours is, there's no need to go really low to lose weight.

I'd personally just try out 1800 for a few weeks - according to your TDEE this is around a 500 calorie deficit, which would equal 1lb a week. If you are not happy after say a month, then you can adjust accordingly.

droogievesch

MFP says I should net 1200 calories a day for 2 lb/wk weight loss. I started reading forum posts about TDEE and figured I'd check it out. I ran it through different calculators and came back with a TDEE of roughly 2,300. My BMR is 1670. I would think I would want to consume between 1700 and 2300 to lose weight, so why does MFP say 1200? If I net below my BMR, doesn't my metabolism slow down?

I have rechecked all my MFP settings. I have made sure I entered my height and weight correctly (64" and 190lbs). I don't know if I should change my settings or trust MFP.

yes but your tdee is your maintanance 2lb per week loss is 1,000 cals per day taking you to 1,300

Yea, my big concern is/was that my BMR is up and above 1200. It seems like BMR is still slightly controversial as some people say NEVER to eat below it while others day it's not a big deal.

yarwell

It seems like BMR is still slightly controversial as some people say NEVER to eat below it

They do, but they can't back it up and it's something you hardly find outside of group think on this site.

Practically every clinical weight loss study goes well below BMR, which is kind of inevitable in sedentary people the TDEE is 20% more than the BMR so even a 500 cal deficit puts you below BMR.

droogievesch

Practically every clinical weight loss study goes well below BMR, which is kind of inevitable in sedentary people the TDEE is 20% more than the BMR so even a 500 cal deficit puts you below BMR.

I never thought of it that way

mcarter99

It seems like BMR is still slightly controversial as some people say NEVER to eat below it

They do, but they can't back it up and it's something you hardly find outside of group think on this site.

Practically every clinical weight loss study goes well below BMR, which is kind of inevitable in sedentary people the TDEE is 20% more than the BMR so even a 500 cal deficit puts you below BMR.

Right. 1200 is a much more common 'minimum' recommended intake.

m16shane

I personally get 1410 calories a day not including exercise calories. I'm a 70'' 212lbs male. I average about 2lbs a week loss. If you want results than you have to sacrifice. When I want to eat more I work out more. I've lost 99lbs exactly and 53lbs since I've been on here.

mcarter99

I personally get 1410 calories a day not including exercise calories. I'm a 70'' 212lbs male. I average about 2lbs a week loss. If you want results than you have to sacrifice. When I want to eat more I work out more. I've lost 99lbs exactly and 53lbs since I've been on here.

Good job!

You realize, don't you, you're supposed to be in starvation mode, not losing 2 lbs/week?