Just want to make sure I am doing this right...

Abi_bug04

Hello everyone,

I'm not new to trying to lose weight- but I am new to trying to lose it properly...and most importantly keeping it off! All of the information about BMI TDEE BMR, etc. is so overwhelming at first...so I want to make sure that I am doing it correctly.

I am 212 lbs, 23 years old and 5'6.
My goal weight is to at least lose 60 lbs and be at 155lbs (if not less).

I am currently using the standard MFP settings to set my daily calorie goals, and it has me eating around 1592 calories per day (because I want to lose 1.5 lbs per week).
I have also been noticing that many people have posted some information about TDEE, so I was wondering if I am using the right method of calculating the number of calories I need to consume, or if I am setting myself up for a disaster.

I used the online TDEE and BMR calculators, and it has my TDEE at 2451.
I also calculated my BMR and it is 1769.

Many people on here are saying that you should never eat less than your BMR, so I am wondering why MFP has me eating 1592 calories? And what if I want to lose 2 lbs a week instead of 1.5? Is that too much?

Sorry if this is so long-winded...I am just a bit overwhelmed and confused...
(please feel free to look at my diary- and let me know if you see anything else that I might be doing wrong).

Any help is appreciated!

Abi_bug04

*Also: why do my daily goals appear to be different just about every day?

cmriverside

Because you probably chose "Sedentary" and "Lose 1.5 pounds a week." That's too agressive for your situation..you're very young, and you are probably going to school and working...1600 is a little low for someone 23 years old, with around 55 pounds to lose. But you could try it for a while and see how it works...

I used the online TDEE and BMR calculators, and it has my TDEE at 2451.
I also calculated my BMR and it is 1769.

Try eating around 1900-2000 a day, and don't eat more when you exercise (the TDEE minus 20% method).

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

BusyRaeNOTBusty

MFP seems to underestimate maintenance for a lot of people, to fix this select a higher activity level than you would originally. Then you told it 1.5lbs per week so it subtracted 750 calories a day.

There is no real rule about eating below BMR. Not sure where it came from other than it's a convenient way to make sure you aren't running at "too high" a deficit.

Using TDEE*0.8 is one method of creating a deficit (not eating exercise calories). MFP's method of calculating maintenance without exercise then adding back in exercise is another. Both are pretty valid. You've just got to pick one and not try to mix them.

cmriverside

*Also: why do my daily goals appear to be different just about every day?

This is probably because you are adding in Exercise. Myfitnesspal gives you more to eat when you need it...read that link I posted.

Abi_bug04

Beause you probably chose "Sedentary" and "Lose 1.5 pounds a week." That's too agressive for your situation..you're very young, and you are probably going ot school and working...1600 is a little low for someone 23 years old, with around 55 pounds to lose. But you could try it for a while and see how it works...

I chose "lightly active" but was not quite sure really how to quantify my activity level.
I think I might up my calories to 1900-2000, thanks for the feedback!

Abi_bug04

MFP seems to underestimate maintenance for a lot of people, to fix this select a higher activity level than you would originally. Then you told it 1.5lbs per week so it subtracted 750 calories a day.

There is no real rule about eating below BMR. Not sure where it came from other than it's a convenient way to make sure you aren't running at "too high" a deficit.

Using TDEE*0.8 is one method of creating a deficit (not eating exercise calories). MFP's method of calculating maintenance without exercise then adding back in maintenance is another. Both are pretty valid. You've just got to pick one and not try to mix them.

Thanks for clarifying! I do like to add in my exercise calories, so I might stick to the MFP method, but i think I will try and going one level up for my activity level! Thanks for the feedback!

Abi_bug04

*Also: why do my daily goals appear to be different just about every day?

This is probably because you are adding in Exercise. Myfitnesspal gives you more to eat when you need it...read that link I posted.

Oh whoops! That was dumb of me!
Thanks!