My first break to TDEE

rachmass1

I have been eating between 1700-2000 calories per day pretty much since I started on my weight loss path, with my TDEE currently estimated between 2,100 - 2,400 per day for my 5'2" 51-year old, 150 pound self (between lightly and moderately active). My BMR is around 1,290-1,320 depending on the calculated source. For the past four days I have been eating between 1,900-2,000 calories per day and so far am maintaining to going up slightly (no big deal). I would like to take a 2-week break at TDEE.

My question is if I want to take a break to TDEE and it varies depending on my activity level, should I simply go to the 2,100 or even 2,000 level as my set point, or should I go to the higher or mid level? Also, if I start to gain weight at 2,000 calories, does that mean my TDEE is actually lower than that? With eating 1,700 calories per day I lose about 1-2 pounds a month now, and at 1,900 I don't seem to have the scale move at all. I lift weights, swing heavy ropes, and walk about 5 miles per day on average but don't to much other activity other than I tend to be on my feet moving around a lot.

Thanks in advance for any help.

rachmass1

Edit, per F2F my TDEE is less than 2,000 calories per day. I was basing the above on what my BMF says I burn.

mmddwechanged

If you want to eat at your TDEE for two weeks I say good for you! Do it! A month might even be better because it will give you better information. From what I have read lately I think the best thing to do is eat at your calculated TDEE and also eat back half of your exercise calories ( sometimes exercise calories are inflated). Go you!
Question: how much weight do you want to lose to reach your goal?

rachmass1

If you want to eat at your TDEE for two weeks I say good for you! Do it! A month might even be better because it will give you better information. From what I have read lately I think the best thing to do is eat at your calculated TDEE and also eat back half of your exercise calories ( sometimes exercise calories are inflated). Go you!
Question: how much weight do you want to lose to reach your goal?

Hi Mandy, I currently weigh 150 and to be a healthy weight for me 130 seems about right (with muscles). I am 5'2" and 51-years old and my start weight was 182 in January. I slowed down a lot in movement of weight since about August losing about 5-6 pounds since then. I am not in a hurry to lose as I am reasonably healthy now and am happy to have the remaining 20 pounds gone by June if possible, if not, by the end of 2013.

Maybe I should try one month. Don't know, haven't had a break since I started and I don't want to gain, just maintain for the next period of time in hopes that I can start to lose while eating more (1,900 is perfect but 2,000-2,100 would make me estatic).

natini

If you eat at TDEE just remember that includes your exercise. You dont need to eat half the exercise calories back. Good luck.

rachmass1

Thanks. Only time I would eat back is if I overdo it ( happens sometimes)