Confused...MFP and MY calorie calculations don't add up!

vikdexkaykai
vikdexkaykai Posts: 92 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,

So when I input my data into MFP, it says in order to lose 2 lbs/week, I should eat 1240 calories/day. (I work as a nurse but sit at a desk 75% of my 8 or 12 hour shift), so I put that I'm sedementary to underestimate my activity level. I try and go for a walk on my morning coffee break (totalling 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times/week). I'm planning on starting Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred tomorrow.

My TDEE is 2720 cal/day (well that's what I calculated anyway).
If I decrease that by 15%, as suggested, that would total 2320 cals/day. This to me seems high!
I want to lose 2 lbs/week, but don't want to stall my weight loss it by not eating enough calories/day.

Am I calculating this wrong?
Is 1240 calories/day ridiculously low?

Help me please! :flowerforyou: :heart: :tongue:

I'm trying to learn the "science" to weight loss.

Any suggestions would be muchly appreciated!

Thanks,
Jenn :flowerforyou: :heart:

Replies

  • leahartmann
    leahartmann Posts: 415
    I´m not even close to being an expert, but I was set to 1200 cal´s. I calculated my BMR and TDEE and withdraw 20% from my TDEE. I ended up with 1577. So now I eat 1500 and still loses. Maybe you should try out until you find the right amount of calories. Go from the 1200 and add 100 every week, until you stop losing. Then go back a little. But this is just a suggestion, as I don´t know more than everybody else. :drinker:
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    2720 seems extremely high for a sedimentary life style...
  • Mrsbrandnewmeslimandtrim
    Mrsbrandnewmeslimandtrim Posts: 267 Member
    bump
  • BeckyLH
    BeckyLH Posts: 117 Member
    2720 sounds far too high, I have found 1200ish works for me but if you want to eat more maybe eat your exercise calories?
  • kathyms13
    kathyms13 Posts: 497 Member
    wow 2720 seems higher than the amount a female needs without dieting.
  • vikdexkaykai
    vikdexkaykai Posts: 92 Member
    So I just calcuated it using an online TDEE calculator and it said 2137. Take that minus 10% would be eating 1924 cals.
    Does this seem better?

    I'm thinking of changing it to 1500 cal intake/day.

    :indifferent:
  • carld256
    carld256 Posts: 855 Member
    I'd suggest forgetting the TDEE stuff and just going by what MFP says.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Are you inputting comparable information into MFP and the TDEE calculator? IE. are you also telling the TDEE calculator you're sedentary and/or are you logging any workouts into MFP and taking the extra calories you earn into accont?
  • sportjeep
    sportjeep Posts: 13
    My goal for daily is 1740. But it has gone as high as 2100 depending on the exercise I do throughout the day. One thing I noticed is that even just walking 30 minutes my caloric intake will climb.
  • leahartmann
    leahartmann Posts: 415
    So I just calcuated it using an online TDEE calculator and it said 2137. Take that minus 10% would be eating 1924 cals.
    Does this seem better?

    I'm thinking of changing it to 1500 cal intake/day.

    :indifferent:
    For me, that sounds much better. And withdraw the 20%. I havent calculated on it, but that would give you roughly 15-1600 calories. So 1500 sounds right.
  • leahartmann
    leahartmann Posts: 415
    But if I understand it right- maybe someone else know more about it- you shouldn´t eat back your exercise cal.´s, when you go with the TDEE calculation. It´s already calculated in, as I understand it. Loggin it would be like loggin it twice.
  • BeckyLH
    BeckyLH Posts: 117 Member
    So I just calcuated it using an online TDEE calculator and it said 2137. Take that minus 10% would be eating 1924 cals.
    Does this seem better?

    I'm thinking of changing it to 1500 cal intake/day.

    :indifferent:

    Yes that would be better.
  • jigglewiggles
    jigglewiggles Posts: 173 Member
    Hi, I work for Jenny Craig, and for your current weight we would put you on a 1500 cal diet. I'd suggest staying somewhere between 1500 and 1700.
  • nermal6873
    nermal6873 Posts: 344 Member
    But if I understand it right- maybe someone else know more about it- you shouldn´t eat back your exercise cal.´s, when you go with the TDEE calculation. It´s already calculated in, as I understand it. Loggin it would be like loggin it twice.
    True. When going by TDEE you do NOT eat back exercise since its already built in. (the exception would be if you drop below BMR, but then you only eat enough to bring you up to BMR)

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