TDEE and calculators

bufger
bufger Posts: 763 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So i'm never sure of the accuracy of these things, what are other peoples experiences? I'll post my stats here so you can validate the results i get on these calculators but the bottom line is they always suggest a higher daily calorie limit than I currently work towards and when I have eaten up to that limit I maintain instead of lose. For example:

Male
250lbs
73 inches tall
28 years old
Sedentary desk job
Calculate to 20% of TDEE
3 meals per day

BMR is 2385
TDEE is 2830
Recommended daily limit is 2264cals.

I've eaten up to this and dont lose. I actually think thats my maintenance limit and not my loss limit. I lose at 1800 without eating exercise calories back and I have lost 2-3lbs per week consistantly since 280lbs. Do these calculators work for anyone or am I doing something wrong?

(Note: I have done others that asks for the amount of exercise, body measurements etc but all suggest over 2100 at which point I maintain instead of lose).

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Like most things here, they are estimates. Pick on, use it for a month, evaluate the results and go from there.
  • escloflowneCHANGED
    escloflowneCHANGED Posts: 3,038 Member
    When I was at 250, I set my limit at 1500 and ate back all my cardio calories burned and lost about 2-3lbs per week until I hit 220lbs.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Do it this way. It works.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
  • kels67camaro
    kels67camaro Posts: 36
    I am in the same situation i eat around 1600 or less calories and nothing is coming off. So my question is do i eat my BMR of 1670 and add my exercise cals back in or do i eat my TDEE which is 2590 cals based on my current weight or do i eat my TDEE which is 2421 base on my goal weight. So darmed confused. Please help!! :blushing:

    My stats are:
    195lbs
    5 ft 10in
    33yrs female
    I lift 3x a week for 30/40min
    Cardio 3x a week for 30/40 min
  • bufger
    bufger Posts: 763 Member
    Do it this way. It works.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    I've used that and thats what I dont get (and I dont want to use the 'im different' excuse) it tells me I should be having 2100 calories as 80% TDEE. I do need to recalc since i havent tried on that calculator for the last 10-15lbs but still its basically saying im not eating enough at 1800 calories. When I upped to 2000 I maintained (i did this for 3 weeks) then i dropped back to 1800 and lost at 2-3lbs per week again.

    I'm strength training and have seen noob gains and feel like i've kept at the same level since so i would like to think im not losing lean mass but according to those calcs i'd be catabolic.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    When I upped to 2000 I maintained (i did this for 3 weeks) then i dropped back to 1800 and lost at 2-3lbs per week again.

    Something isn't right... 2000 cals and you maintain, but 1800 and you lose 2-3lbs per week? 200 cal difference shouldn't result in 2-3lb loss.
  • Koldnomore
    Koldnomore Posts: 1,613 Member
    It is highly possible that you need a full reset. When you 'under eat' for extended periods your body slows your metabolism and thus you can no longer eat based on those numbers. If you have slowed your metabolism in this way then the numbers won't be working for you as you would expect.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    I am in the same situation i eat around 1600 or less calories and nothing is coming off. So my question is do i eat my BMR of 1670 and add my exercise cals back in or do i eat my TDEE which is 2590 cals based on my current weight or do i eat my TDEE which is 2421 base on my goal weight. So darmed confused. Please help!! :blushing:

    My stats are:
    195lbs
    5 ft 10in
    33yrs female
    I lift 3x a week for 30/40min
    Cardio 3x a week for 30/40 min

    TDEE means Total Daily Energy Expenditure. It is the point where you would not gain or lose any weight, it is also called "maintenance calories". You need to eat less than TDEE in order to lose weight. A typical safe deficit is 20% less than TDEE. Until you are down to trying to lose the last 10 pounds or so and then you should make it 10% less.

    BMR means Basal Metabolic Rate, it is the amount they would feed you in a coma to fuel your basic bodily functions. You need to eat more than that.

    If MFP sets you near your BMR, then you need to eat that PLUS your exercise calories. Or, set your own goal at TDEE - 20% and don't eat exercise cals.

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